Hi, I’m Gabrielle Stouffer, founder of GS Equestrian in Knoxville, TN. I grew up far from the equestrian world (my family had no background with horses) but my grandparents lived next to a horse farm, and I was instantly captivated. By age two, I was drawn to the horses, and by four, I would wake before anyone else, barefoot in the snow, just to deliver apples and watch them. My first ride came at four, and my first lesson at five. 

I started riding western at a local barn, learning safety and basic horsemanship. My passion for jumping sparked when I saw someone clearing cross-rails in a field. I moved to a local jumping trainer, where I learned the basics of jumping. I usually rode the more difficult or naughty ponies. It was challenging, but I quickly discovered that working with these horses taught me more than riding perfect mounts ever could. I learned that each problem became an opportunity to learn, adapt, and develop confidence and skill.

One pivotal moment came when a rated trainer recognized my raw talent and invited me to ride one of their ponies at my first A show in Conyers, Georgia. I earned champion out of 19 competitors. That experience fueled my love for competition and sparked my drive to grow in the sport.

When I was 16, I had the opportunity to work with a highly experienced trainer in Boston. It was there that I was first introduced to equitation, and I was immediately captivated by its technicality and precision. During a two-week trial at the HITS Saugerties horse show, I scored an 84 in my first junior medal class, and by three months in, I was competing in 3’6” equitation classes and went to my first New England Finals, earning an 85 in the open. Over the next four years, I spent winters in Wellington, summers in Michigan, Boston, and New York, and traveled in the fall for finals. I competed in Maclay Finals, Medal Finals, and New England Finals multiple times, gaining invaluable experience and developing a deep appreciation for every aspect of equitation. I also rode and trained a wide variety of horses, including many whom were challenging, and earned catch rides from other top trainers, which expanded my horsemanship skills tremendously.

After my junior years, I attended Auburn University, where I worked with the D1 equestrian team and taught equestrian camps. I also expanded my knowledge into western disciplines, working closely with a skilled colt trainer, and developed an OTTB from the ground up into a quality jumper. Through every horse, every discipline, and every lesson, I learned one truth: a strong foundation is everything no matter your disicpline.

At GS Equestrian, my mission is to bring horsemanship back to its roots. I focus on building confidence, balance, and trust in every horse, creating athletes who are not only capable but willing and eager to perform. When a horse truly understands what you are asking and respects you on the ground and under saddle, that is when the magic happens, and that is what I strive to create with every horse I work with. Strong foundations create strong horses. You never force a horse to fit a program. With the right approach, horses develop not just skill, but confidence and willingness to perform at their best.