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Jessica Cintas Nichols is a lifelong equestrian with 25 years of equestrian experience and 12 years of training experience. Jessica grew up on a hunter/jumper training facility from the age of two until being married. Jessica recently moved to the Houston area from San Diego, California where she rode and trained with her mother, father, and uncle, all of whom are Grand Prix riders and trainers. In addition, her uncle is currently the U.S. Olympic Equestrian Pentathlon Coach and recently hosted the World Cup at his facility in Southern California.  See her Brochure here.

Jessica traveled the country extensively with her family whom competed on the “AA” circuit. She grew up with some of the most famous hunter, jumper, and equitation equestrians including George Morris, Susie Hutchinson, Hap Hansen, Richard Spooner, and Anne Kurcinski. Jessica has been so blessed to have her mother as her head trainer, equestrian mentor, and best friend throughout her equestrian career. She watched from the gateway in awe as her mother competed and won Grand Prix’s internationally. Moving to Texas to teach her own hunter, jumper, and equitation students at a first class facility is a dream come true.    

Teaching Philosophy & Approach
Jessica has a unique teaching philosophy and approach different from many other hunter, jumper & equitation trainers. Jessica enjoys teaching students beginner thru advanced. Jessica takes pleasure in teaching a child or adult who has never ridden, yet attends “AA” rated shows nationwide. She appreciates the energy to learn and innocence from young children, and the bravery and motivation from adult riders. “Each age and level bring something so positive and rewarding to the ring,” says Jessica. Her philosophy is effective communication that fits a rider’s level of understanding, combined with patience and encouragement to inspire enthusiasm in students to achieve their goals. In addition, all aspects of Jessica’s teaching include a strong emphasis on safety and having fun. Jessica focuses on the importance of rhythm and teamwork to instill confidence and trust between horse and rider, with emphasis on ground manners, tedious flat work, and specialty over fence exercises.

In addition Jessica holds the values of beginner tradition, such as- bonding with your horse and time on the ground.  Jessica appreciates the ups, downs, and challenges between horse and rider because she understands that the mistakes and overcoming bad habits is what excels a rider to become a truly successful equestrian athlete. Jessica encourages her students to attend local schooling and county shows to get the feel for the shows and competition to better prepare them for the “A” and “AA” show circuit. 

Jessica is very excited to be part of the training team at Woodlands Equestrian Club. She believes that in order for riders who compete in hunters, jumpers, and equitation to be a true success they must first understand and have training in the basic fundamentals of dressage. “Marta Renilla, WEC’ Dressage Director is one of the most beautiful dressage riders I have seen. She has a connection with her students and horses in a way which is so rare,” says Jessica. Jessica encourages all of her clients to take at least two lessons a month with Marta.

Career & Competition History         

Jessica started riding at the age of three and competed in her first walk/trot show at the age of four. By the age of five, Jessica was competing in cross-rails and later short-stirrup. To this day the family joke remains when Jessica had to “walk the cross-rail course” to be like her mother who was competing in Grand Prix’s. Over the years Jessica competed on the “A” circuit as well as county schooling shows at various hunter, jumper and equitation shows on the west coast including Arizona/”Winter Circuit”, Del Mar National, San Diego Horse park (Show Park), Bakersfield, Los Angeles Equestrian Center (LAEC), Indio/”Thermal”, and Ride America. She started, trained, and competed on horses in green hunters under saddle and over fences and various hunter divisions as a junior, an amateur, and later as a professional. Jessica also competed as a junior in Children’s jumpers and continued to show in lower level jumpers as a professional up to 4’3. Jessica’s passion focused on equitation and medals. She competed with her own ponies and horses in many “A” circuit and county rated medals winning many high place ribbons including GSDHJA Medal, Onondarka Medal, USEF Pony Medal, USEF Hunter Seat Medal, CPHA Equitation Medal, PCHA Medal, and Open equitation on the flat and over fences.

Why Woodlands Equestrian Club?

·         We are the only equestrian facility in Houston that offers expertise training from our nationally and internationally recognized trainers in all disciplines including dressage, hunters, jumpers, and equitation beginner level thru Grand Prix.

·         We are a first class show facility with professionalism and success being a top priority, yet maintain a family like “club” environment, enjoy having fun, and support one another’s success. We attend top rated “AA” shows, but still hold the values of beginner tradition, such as - bonding with your horse and time on the ground. Jessica does not teach group Hunter/Jumping & Equitation lessons. We do not teach group lessons. In order to provide the highest quality lessons we offer semi-private (2-3 students) and private lessons only for the same rate.

WEC offers to its Hunters, Jumpers, and Equitation students:

• Full and part-time training packages
  
• No Group Lessons: Only Semi-Private & Private lessons offered at the same rate
• Personal earpiece radio-communication system between trainer & rider during lessons
  
• Trailer-in lessons
• Lessons beginner thru advanced & all ages
• Lesson horses available if needed
• Full care, first class facility offering a full range of services to develop in Hunters, Jumpers, & Equitation
• Coaching at shows
• Shows Beginner – “AA” USEF Rated
• Help in finding the perfect horse to match each rider
• Specialty Top bred Sport-ponies and Warmblood sales