MEET OUR TRAINERS
Get to know Brendan Wise and Kaleigh Marie — the trainers and founders of The Connection Academy.
Kaleigh Marie
Kaleigh Marie is an international liberty performer, educator, and horsewoman devoted to strengthening the connection between humans and horses. Her passion for understanding animal communication began in childhood and quickly evolved into a lifelong pursuit of clarity, trust, and partnership. As a teenager, she trained and competed nationally with a team of Holstein steers, earning recognition for advanced liberty work, trick training, and Roman riding — an unconventional beginning that set the stage for the refined, connection-first approach that now defines her work.
Her professional path has been richly diverse, spanning work with draft horses and mammoth donkeys, starting young horses under saddle, retraining difficult horses, and rehabilitating rescues. She further refined her understanding of biomechanics and classical development while studying dressage on Lipizzan stallions under respected instructors and clinicians. These varied experiences, combined with her commitment to continuous study, laid the foundation for a training philosophy that integrates psychology, learning theory, classical principles, and positive reinforcement.
Today, Kaleigh shares her work through performances, clinics, and her online academy, where she guides riders in liberty, bridleless riding, and dressage through thoughtful, systematic education. Her approach emphasizes emotional awareness and technical precision, grounded in the belief that true partnership begins with understanding the horse’s perspective — and our own. Through her teaching and artistry, she seeks to elevate the standard of relationship-based horsemanship and inspire riders to pursue excellence with empathy.
Brendan Wise
Brendan began his career under the mentorship of world-renowned clinicians John and Josh Lyons, earning certification as a Lyons Legacy Trainer and building a strong foundation in colt starting, problem-solving, and bridleless horsemanship. Early on, he committed himself to mastering communication — with both horses and people — shaping him into both a skilled trainer and an effective educator.
After years immersed in Western Performance disciplines, Brendan shifted his focus toward Classical Dressage, developing a deep understanding of biomechanics and systematic training. This classical influence transformed his approach and laid the groundwork for his evolution into high-level show jumping. What began as a necessity for his students soon became a passion, leading him to compete successfully at the National Grand Prix level.
Throughout every stage of his career, bridleless riding has remained central to his work. From early exhibitions to pioneering bridleless competition in the jumper ring with the Dutch Warmblood Wings, Brendan helped demonstrate that bridleless riding could succeed in open competition. In 2024, alongside his partner Lyric, he competed bridleless up to the 1.40m National Grand Prix level, further proving that precision, partnership, and trust can stand confidently at the highest levels of the sport.
