Our Mission

At SkyHorse Academy, we are passionate about our "healing humans, healing earth" paradigm, cultivating harmonious relationships and contributing to a healthy planet. We provide educational/healing programs and experiences where horses and humans find collective wholeness, and regain a sacred relationship with the sensate natural world.

We are pioneers in shaping a collective consciousness that reveres an Earth-centric model through immersive mind/body/spirit experiences, authentic expression, and guided exploration since 1989. SkyHorse Academy leads the way in cultivating harmonious  attunement with the intricate web of life—both seen and unseen.

Our signature programs in Equine Guided Education™ and Coaching embody a vision of a world where equine wisdom is a revered catalyst for personal transformation. We thrive on illuminating new pathways towards a future where humanity and nature coexist in a dance of profound respect and interconnected well-being.

NO HORSE EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. EVEN IF YOU NEVER PLAN TO HAVE HORSES IN YOUR LIFE, OUR PROGRAMS WILL CHANGE HOW YOU SEE YOURSELF, THOSE YOU CARE ABOUT AND HELP YOU GAIN CLARITY ON THE ROLE YOU WANT TO PLAY IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND/OR WORKPLACE.

Meet our Founder

Ariana Strozzi Mazzucchi

Founder of Equine Guided Education and Coaching

Ariana, the founder of SkyHorse Academy, is a visionary leader, master somatic coach, zoologist, lifelong horsewoman, mother, artist, award winning author, and co-founder of Embodied Leadership. Her teachings have been incorporated into numerous leadership institutes and equine therapy programs around the world including Institute for Women’s Leadership, Institute for Generative Leadership, Prescott College, Earthrise, Institute of Noetic Sciences, and Meridian University.

Ariana grew up training horses and winning champion awards in dressage, jumping, eventing, gymkhana, reining, and working cow horse. She received her Zoologist degree from UC Davis in 1984 with a specialization in Raptors and non-domestic wildlife. She learned through her diverse experience with horses and wildlife, that like all animals our primary source of communication is intuitive and deeply sensitive to the energetic essence of our environment. This gem of insight has propelled her into untethered territory where everything is connected and transformational change begins. 

Her legacy approach to healing can be found worldwide. She has created over a dozen international leadership conferences in Leadership & Mastery and Equine Guided Education, bringing together thought-provokers, paradigm shifters and people who are committed to changing how we respectfully care for our Great Mother Earth. 

Meet our Coaches and Staff

Hallie Bigliardi

Hallie Bigliardi, is a Level 5 Certified SkyHorseEGE™ Coach and Instructor of SkyHorse Academy programs. She is the author of Take Back the Reins – The Truth About Why You’re Stuck and How to Get Moving Again. Since completing her first SkyHorseEGE™ Certification in 2010, Hallie has completed and/or staffed over 15 certification programs. 

With over forty years of horse experience and an innate ability to listen, Hallie creates a safe space for participants to explore their inquiries. She is intuitive, articulate, and compassionate. Through her constructive, grounded feedback, 

“Hallie embodies EGE as a way of being! She has a grounded presence, – a fine-tuned skill of listening deeply and without judgement like horses do and as a master coach she knows when to allow those quiet spaces and when to offer astute observations gleaned from her years of training.” ~ Ariana

Hallie’s personal and professional experiences and commitment to SkyHorse EGE™ flourish in the areas of relationships, authentic communication, and facilitating transformational breakthroughs.

Ashley Shultz

As an Equine Guided Coach, Ashley Shultz merges the realms of horsemanship, equine behavior and coaching to improve people’s lives and relationships, both with other people and with horses. She trains effective communication, confidence, and personal leadership through horse-human interaction. She holds an advanced certification in Equine Guided Education from SkyHorse Academy, a somatic based method of coaching with horses, which emphasizes sensate, experiential learning that encompasses body, mind and spirit. 

Ashley has worked in California, Washington, Maryland, Italy and Jordan, and has facilitated experiences for hundreds of individuals, groups and teams which foster a deeper understanding of self and other and open pathways to lasting change. Her work has been influenced by the somatic coaching work developed by the Strozzi Institute, as well as the Freedom Based Training work of Elsa Sinclair. Through Equine Guided work, Ashley fulfills her mission to connect people with their sense of purpose in life, as well as to increase appreciation for horses and the natural world.

Ellen Beeler

Ellen spent 24 years as both a Special Ed and Independent Study Teacher in Sonoma County, CA. Retiring from teaching in 2002, she dedicated her time to developing her own spiritual growth as a healer and empath. At the age of 56 she was gifted her first horse, Robin, and her life would never be the same. She discovered the magic and transformation possible with time spent with horses.

Once she became Certified in SkyHorse EGE™ she began to blend her innate gifts as a clairvoyant and empath and her passion for horse as healer to support others through moments of transition in their lives.
To Ellen, family is more than blood. It includes deep friendships with humans, and non-humans alike. She has a beloved husband, is a cat mom, and a steward of two horses, Copper Penny and Shine Harley Shine. 

Kansas Carradine

Kansas Carradine, Level 3 SkyHorse EGE™ Coach and facilitator, is also a prominent figure in the Equestrian Industry for most of her professional life. She has navigated a captivating journey from rodeo arenas to Hollywood stunts and circus performances. Evolving into an ethical horsemanship clinician and influential speaker, she maintains unwavering commitment to the highest animal ethics standards and a deep humane care for people at the same time.

In addition to her multifaceted career as a performer, horse trainer and coach in the world-renowned equestrian show, CAVALIA, Kansas has been featured in publications like Sports Illustrated, Western Horseman and the TV show Heartland.

Kansas brings to her role as a SkyHorse EGE™ coach, a certification in Heart Math, as well as other meditation and mindfulness practices. With a wealth of experience, we are proud to have her as a mentor and coach who skillfully integrates science, spirituality, horsemanship, and heart. Kansas' transformative work bridges diverse realms, creating a powerful impact on aspiring horse enthusiasts and the broader public alike.

Rilana Vorderwülbecke

Rilana Vorderwülbecke, an Expressive Arts and SkyHorse EGE™ Coach in Berlin, Germany, holds a Bachelor's in Fine Arts from Boston University and a Master's in Art Business from the University of Manchester/Sotheby's. Initially an artist and art dealer, she transitioned to working with individuals, establishing an art school for children in 2008. Trained as a Pikler pedagogue, she furthered her education in art therapy at the Medical School in Hamburg, specializing in Expressive Arts Therapy.

Continuing her studies in Integrative Psychotherapy, EMDR Coaching, and trauma work, Rilana incorporates modalities like Polyvagal Theory and Internal Family System. Her collaboration with Ariana Strozzi Mazzuchi in California sparked her interest in Equine Guided Education, leading her to pursue Advanced Post Graduate Studies in Expressive Arts at the European Graduate School. Her research focuses on integrating Expressive Arts and Equine Guided Education to empower individuals in self-discovery.

Additionally, Rilana published the German edition of Equine Guided Education: Horses Healing Humans Healing Earth. Her coaching approach is holistic, addressing the body, breath, mind, emotions, and spirit. Believing in each individual's innate wisdom, she collaborates with clients to uncover new pathways to health and well-being. Her sessions aim to facilitate self-awareness and growth, guiding individuals toward a more fulfilling and authentic life.

Wesley Smith

As a devoted mother and Ariana's daughter, Wesley embodies the values and vision of our company, infusing her work with empathy, compassion, and authenticity. In her capacity as Program Director, Wesley oversees customer service and program logistics, ensuring that each participant receives personalized attention and support throughout their journey.

Wesley grew up in our SkyHorse EGE™ programs. She showed horses in western pleasure and enjoyed trail and gymkhana. One of her favorite summer past time was to go horse camping in Olema. In high school she interned with the Marine Biology program in Pt. Reyes and started a Marine Biology program in UC Davis before motherhood became her first priority.

Wesley organized logistics and staffed over 8 international conferences in Equine Guided Education from 2004-2012 and several other conferences for the Strozzi Institute on Leadership and Mastery.

She and her mom started one of the first organic cafes in Sonoma County which she sold after her second son was born.