Emme Johnston is a USDF Certified Instructor through Second Level, a USDF Silver Medalist, and owner/trainer at Emme Johnston Dressage LLC. She was formally the assistant trainer of Eliza Sydnor Dressage. Emme enjoys working with horses and riders of all levels and ages, using classical dressage to develop and strengthen the human and equine athletes and improve the harmony between horse and rider.
Emme began her riding career at age 6 at MacNair’s Country Acres in Raleigh, NC. She continued to ride in the hunt seat program there through high school, participating in the 4-H club and on the show team. The MacNair’s school program provided a solid basis in riding, horsemanship, and sportsmanship, and the opportunity to ride all of the different school horses greatly helped develop Emme’s ability to understand and work with a variety of horse breeds and types.
In 2006, Emme graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and wanted to make sure that her college experience included horses, so she chose to attend Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA. Looking for any and all opportunities to ride, Emme tried out for both the Hunt Seat (varsity) and Dressage (club) teams, and spent the next four years serving and competing on both teams, addition to participating in the lesson program. Again, the excellent instruction and wonderful “schoolies” continued to foster and develop Emme’s passion for training horses and riders. Emme won two National Championships (2008 and 2009) and was Reserve Champion in 2007. While at MHC, Emme began her partnership with Just Jake, a school horse who helped her get back to riding after an injury, and when Emme graduated in 2010 magna cum laude with high honors in Geology and Mathematics, she brought Jake home with her to NC.
Emme began her dressage career at Eliza Sydnor Dressage, first as a working student and then as assistant trainer and barn manager. In addition to receiving wonderful mentoring and instruction from Eliza, Emme was also fortunate to work with Cindy Sydnor, Bailey Cook, Jennifer Baumert, and JJ Tate. Emme earned her USDF Instructor Certification at Second Level in 2015 and completed her silver medal in 2017.
Since starting her own dressage training business in 2017, Emme has been a sought-after trainer and instructor. She welcomes horses and riders of all ages, levels, and breeds. In particular, Emme has honed her skills at designing and competing musical freestyles, winning many local and national awards. Please check out the rest of the website for more information!
Emme began her riding career at age 6 at MacNair’s Country Acres in Raleigh, NC. She continued to ride in the hunt seat program there through high school, participating in the 4-H club and on the show team. The MacNair’s school program provided a solid basis in riding, horsemanship, and sportsmanship, and the opportunity to ride all of the different school horses greatly helped develop Emme’s ability to understand and work with a variety of horse breeds and types.
In 2006, Emme graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and wanted to make sure that her college experience included horses, so she chose to attend Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA. Looking for any and all opportunities to ride, Emme tried out for both the Hunt Seat (varsity) and Dressage (club) teams, and spent the next four years serving and competing on both teams, addition to participating in the lesson program. Again, the excellent instruction and wonderful “schoolies” continued to foster and develop Emme’s passion for training horses and riders. Emme won two National Championships (2008 and 2009) and was Reserve Champion in 2007. While at MHC, Emme began her partnership with Just Jake, a school horse who helped her get back to riding after an injury, and when Emme graduated in 2010 magna cum laude with high honors in Geology and Mathematics, she brought Jake home with her to NC.
Emme began her dressage career at Eliza Sydnor Dressage, first as a working student and then as assistant trainer and barn manager. In addition to receiving wonderful mentoring and instruction from Eliza, Emme was also fortunate to work with Cindy Sydnor, Bailey Cook, Jennifer Baumert, and JJ Tate. Emme earned her USDF Instructor Certification at Second Level in 2015 and completed her silver medal in 2017.
Since starting her own dressage training business in 2017, Emme has been a sought-after trainer and instructor. She welcomes horses and riders of all ages, levels, and breeds. In particular, Emme has honed her skills at designing and competing musical freestyles, winning many local and national awards. Please check out the rest of the website for more information!