Ali Kermeen – Head Trainer
Ali Kermeen grew up riding at a top eventing barn in the east bay. As a junior rider she developed a love for enjoying horses in all disciplines, including dressage, eventing, hunter/jumper, gymkhana, western, and trail riding. She has carried love of different disciplines into her professional life, with the basis of all her training being dressage principles integrated with Dorrance style horsemanship.
Ali believes that riding should be fun for rider and horse. Training is tailored individually to each horse and rider, with an approach that is right for them. Ali has worked with a large number of breeds and cross breeds in a variety of disciplines. She enjoys working with riders of different ages and values rider safety above all. Ali started HC Equestrian to be a place where riders can enjoy their horses and advance in a logical progression. Harmony, empathy, and lightness are strong factors in her training philosophy.
Ali’s students and training horses thrive in a wide range of disciplines. You can find Ali training horses in dressage, working Equitation, cowboy dressage, gaited horses, ground work, liberty and R+ training (clicker training). Her students participate in all these activities as well as endurance riding, pony club, hunter/jumper, and breed shows
Ali is a popular clinician and author. See her clinic schedule and book information at AliKermeen.com
Professional Credentials
- Certified Horsemen’s Association(CHA) Master Instructor Certification 2003 (English and Western)
- United States Eventing Association (USEA) certified level 1 Instructor, through training level, 2005
- United States Dressage Federation (USDF) “L” judge program graduate, with distinction, 2012
- Coach of Santa Clara University’s dressage team since its inception in 2013
- Cowboy Dressage Recommended Clinician, Level 2, 2019
Riding and Training Awards
- USDF Silver and Bronze Medalist
- Winner of SWANA dressage Futurity
- Trainer/Rider/Coach of several USDF All Breeds winners
- Riding for the brand, 2nd place 2019
- Two time Cowboy Dressage World Finals Champion Open Gaited Horse
- 2020 National #1 at Working Equitation Level 4
- 2021 Regional #1 at Working Equitation Level 5
Ali is proudly sponsored by Custom Saddlery, Kathie’s Cinches and More, Grand Meadows Equine Nutrition, and Kathy Colman Photography.
Alice Bizri – Jumping Trainer
Alice Bizri was first put on a pony at the age of 3 and never looked back. She grew up riding and showing on the West Coast hunter circuit. Her passion for riding eventually turned into a career. After running her own lesson program as well as riding and teaching for several trainers on both the East and West Coasts, Alice has returned to her roots on the West Coast this time with a stronger focus on dressage and flatwork. Alice is currently competing in jumpers, eventing, working equitation, and dressage. She believes that anyone can learn to ride effectively, given the right tools. Her broad experience has equipped Alice with a sharp eye and an understanding of horsemanship that gives her students an unparalleled edge. Alice is a dedicated teacher whose students attain their equestrian goals through strong fundamentals and good horsemanship.
Kim Frank – Groundwork and Trail Trainer
Kim Frank first experienced the joy of horses at age 7 when she started English riding lessons in the East Bay where she grew up. In college she progressed to jumping and playing polo, and at the age of 30 she finally achieved her lifelong dream of owning her first horse! She found great reward in learning to train her horses herself and started down a path of specializing in foundational and stress resilience training on the ground and in the saddle. She created her own training techniques after years of study and practice, and she draws from the knowledge and experience of a dozen or more well respected trainers and clinicians from around the world. Her current riding passions include jumping, trail riding, and endurance competitions.
Her goal at HCE is to improve the confidence and communication of both horse and rider and unlock the potential for new exciting experiences such as trail riding, jumping, and working equitation. She offers training and lessons for starting and restarting horses, behavior problem solving (such as stress resilience training), and improving rider confidence and safety within the arena as well as out on the local trails.