Our Trainers and Instructors
Lisa Boyer
Professional Dressage Trainer, Coach, Competitor. 30 +years experience. Lisa's background includes training with many of the world's best International level Classical and Competitive Dressage Riders and Coaches. As a recipient of a USET grant, she traveled abroad to study under Kyra Kyrklund at the Swedish National Stud Farm, in Flynge, Sweden. Over the years she has also received extensive training with Steffen Peters, Linda Zang, Dietrich Von Hopfgaarten, Debbie McDonald, Col. Christian Carde, William Solyntjes, Betsy Steiner, Edgar Hotz, and many more. An accomplished trainer and competitor with many breeds and temperaments of horses, Lisa has achieved numerous regional and national honors and year end awards. As an instructor and coach Lisa works with all levels and disciplines, beginner to advanced, helping riders to find their way through problems and achieve goals while stressing the correct use of position and harmonious use of the aids to positively improve the overall connection and partnership between horse and rider.
Nola Butler
Nola grew up in Everett and started her journey with horses at the age of 10 and throughout her youth managed to learn a variety of skills from cleaning stalls, assisting with trail rides and day camps to grooming for local trainers and ownership of her first horse. At the age of 18 she became a paid assistant trainer and took over the entire business at age 21. Throughout the years Nola has not only run her own business successfully, she managed to keep her skills sharp by working with some of the most prevalent trainers in the area in a variety of disciplines and breeds. Nola found her way to Wildwood Farm as an assistant trainer and instructor in 2010 and by 2015 she was an independent instructor; now she is our Senior Youth Instructor and brings many things to our Academy- but touts Safety as the number one focus along with learning and having fun. She really enjoys working with young students as they develop confidence and skills that will take them well into their adult lives. Able to instruct beginners in all disciplines, Nola offers private and group lessons and also conducts private camps as well as facilitates many private workshops.
Leslie Johnson
It all started with pony rides at the zoo and loving support from her father, allowing Leslie to discover her passion for horses as she spent her teenage years at summer camps and lessons at a local barn. Taking a break from horses to start her career and raise a family, Leslie once again reunited with riding in 2002 when her daughter became interested in horses. Leslie is now an avid dressage rider and horse owner many times over who continues her education through regular lessons and clinics with support from her coach, Lisa Boyer, who has taught her the skills to become a confident and intuitive rider. Leslie began instructing at Wildwood Farm in 2018 with the goals of effectively teaching the “why” as well as the “how” of riding in a positive, encouraging environment that promotes safety and empathy for horses. Drawing from her experience teaching remedial reading and math in elementary schools –as well as being a parent, camp counselor and Girl Scout Troop Leader – the structure of her lessons teach each student how to handle and ride horses in a safe, effective and responsible manner. Leslie offers private or semi-private beginner/intermediate riding lessons for adults and children.
Robin Foster
A long time resident of whidbey Island, Robin started at a young age in 4H riding western and competed in trail, pleasure, reining, equitation. When she was a bit older she switched to English and jumping and competed in 3-day events for several years. She went on to teach Pony Club students here on Whidbey as well as in Maryland where her riders qualified to compete at regionals in Kentucky. Robin now specializes in dressage and she rode for many years with Major Jeremy Beale, Nancy Benton and Lisa Boyer; she also has attended countless clinics with several international dressage trainers and scribed for judges at dressage competitions for many years. Robin has been teaching private students for many years, while keeping her skills current by training with Lisa Weis and Wolfgang Scherzer. She owns 3 warmblood horses: 2 Swedish and 1 Canadian and is also a Washington-licensed equine and canine massage practitioner, is trained in equine acupressure as well as Equitape. Robin's students have been with her for many years and love her direct yet gentle approach to riding instruction.