Tailwind Trails

09/08/2026

The elite Mounted Unit from PBSO - Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office was back today for training in Mounted Shooting. All accomplished marksman on the ground, today was about applying a systematic process of desensitizing their horses to the sights, sounds and smells of fi****ms and riding through a shot we all pray they never have to take on patrol. As you would expect, these pros did a fantastic job. Evan Ackerly of Ackerly Equestrian Services and I are blessed to be a part of training this unit and it remains one of our favorite and most rewarding endeavors. If you are interested in learning to shoot from horseback or curious about the sport of Cowboy Mounted Shooting, contact us to set up a training date.

09/06/2026

TRAVEL ALERT: We are thrilled to again be invited to River Equestrian Center for a weekend of Clinics in Minnesota! Our "Intro to Bridle-less Riding" on Saturday October 10th and "Intro to Mounted Shooting" on Sunday October 11th. Evan Ackerly of Ackerly Equestrian Services will be joining me on this trip and together, we will bring some of our Tailwind Trails magic to Minnesota! In between, we will also be booking individual and smaller group lessons in Dressage, Groundwork, Obstacles, & Jumping for those ambitious riders who want a little extra! Sarah Heimerdinger Edwards will also be offering school horses to her riders for these clinic dates, as well as stalls and hook-ups for a lucky few. If you are in the ND/MN are, make plans to join us for this limited, special engagement ! Registration is on our website: wwwTailwindTrails.com
FLORIDA FANS: PLEASE NOTE THIS CLINIC IS IN MINNESOTA
We will be offering these clinics again at home in South Florida in November.

🐴 TWO CLINICS. ONE WEEKEND. TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT RIDING EXPERIENCES! 🐴

Join Red River Equestrian Center and Tailwind Trails for a unique clinic weekend with clinician April Milner & Evan Ackerly.

April brings a wealth of experience in both horsemanship and competition, and has previously taught and judged at a Red River Equestrian Center show. This weekend is your chance to learn from her in two exciting and unconventional disciplines!

✨ INTRO TO BRIDLELESS RIDING
Explore riding without relying on a traditional bridle while focusing on balance, communication, and developing a deeper partnership with your horse.

🎯 INTRO TO MOUNTED SHOOTING
Try something completely different and learn the fundamentals of mounted shooting in a safe, structured clinic environment.

Whether you’re looking to expand your horsemanship skills, try a new discipline, or simply do something different with your horse, this weekend is an opportunity you won’t want to miss!

📅 October 9th-12th
📍 Red River Equestrian Center
🐴 Presented with Tailwind Trails
👩‍🏫 Clinician: April Milner

📲 Sign up here: https://www.tailwindtrails.com/calendar/

09/01/2026

Downtown West Palm Beach today for a visit to the County Courthouse and Government Center to attend a County Commissioners' Hearing where the future of Jim Brandon Equestrian Center was on the table. I spoke briefly about the importance of this gem on the entire equine industry, as it is where the next generation of both horses and riders are cultivated. Although it generates income, it operates at a loss, leaving it's future uncertain. If you are local to the area, please continue to support the events at this venue, stay educated on the issues, and make your voices heard to your elected officials.

09/01/2026

Some spots remaining in our second "Intro to Bridle-less Clinic" with Evan Ackerly of Ackerly Equestrian Services. This is an encore running, as our first one was so popular! All the riders were very successful in their progression towards bridle-less riding, and more importantly, gained a deeper understanding of softening, communication with their horse, and refining their aides. Join us on 09/26! info and registration on our website: https://www.tailwindtrails.com/calendar/ #!event/2026/9/26/intro-to-bridle-less-riding

08/28/2026

Have some things you need help with? Been dying to send your horse to training? Have a baby who needs a start? We have a last minute opening for September 1st!!! Let Evan Ackerly of Ackerly Equestrian Services help you reach your goals!!!

We are now booking for the upcoming Fall/Winter months. Take this time to tune up your show horse, properly start your young horse, or address some behavioral issues that may be keeping you from fully enjoying your equine partner. We have had hundreds of horses through our program, spanning all breeds and all disciplines. Experience with Mounted Police Units, is on the Advisory Board at Keiser Equestrian, and has started for and competed in Show Jumping, Dressage, and Mounted Shooting. Specializing in an authentic, natural horsemanship approach which focuses on bio mechanically correct fundamentals and horse behavior. Our 90 day programs provide lessons, to wrap the owner into the process, assuring that all of the new behaviors and accomplishments can be duplicated at home. Located in Palm city Tailwind Trails📍 Thinking of training? Can book or learn more at or website or shoot us a call! https://www.tailwindtrails.com/board-and-train/

08/26/2026

Another big day for the team! Evan Ackerly of Ackerly Equestrian Services and I were at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center working with the elite Mounted Unit from the PBSO - Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. I say it all the time, but it remains true, these specially trained horses and riders always bring their “A Game.” This unit trains constantly and is always seeking to expand their knowledge and technical skills in the saddle. Today, we introduced them to the training benefits found in the sport of Western Dressage. We are always blessed to be trusted with assisting this unit with their training goals, and today they were all treated to the addition of our newest team member, Dressage Professional, WDAA R Rated Judge, Coach and lifelong equestrian, Patti Thompson, who expertly guided them through a WDAA test. The day finished with a visit and late lunch with our fantastic equine nutrition specialist Debra Spark from Purina Horse who helps keep our whole barn in top shape.

08/25/2026

2027 South Florida Fair is going to be Epic! Clinic dates announced soon and always sell out! Make plans to join us for the Ultimate Desensitization Experience.”

08/25/2026

Coming again in Jan 2027! Evan Ackerly of Ackerly Equestrian Services and I will again be offering our super popular and always sold out “Ultimate Desensitization Clinic” at the South Florida Fair. Dates will be announced soon and we will open registration for this exciting event! As a side note, the horse in this video is, Wendell Fong: On the road to the RRP 2026, and is about to compete in Kentucky in the TB Makeover! We are honored to have been a small part of his training journey. Can YOUR horse do this?!? YES! Join us Jan 2027!!!

08/14/2026