Alex Clift

I’m Alex Clift. I’ve been obsessed with horses as long as I can remember and rode any opportunity I could. I wasn’t blessed with horses of my own until my mother in law bought her barn and we started fostering rescue horses. In 2016 we had one little bay mare come in super skinny and pregnant. We didn’t have her long before she gave birth to a bay paint (my favorite) and I instantly knew he would be staying in the family! “Eddie” has been a major part of my horsemanship journey and is my best equine partner. I was first introduced to cowboy dressage when I met Christine Simpson and thought it was a perfect way to build my partnership with Ed and his confidence.

I loved the foundation of CD and decided the gatherings were a great fit for Ed and I 😊

Jenna Rankin & LBCR Oso Fe

Jenna Rankin

Jenna grew up immersed in Cowboy Dressage, learning from founder and mentor Eitan Beth-Halachmy from the time she was 13. Today she carries on that legacy as a trainer and instructor at Little Bear Creek Ranch, where she and her mother, Level 2 Clinician Kelley Rankin, host clinics, shows, and educational events. Jenna is passionate about preserving the values of Cowboy Dressage—soft feel, kindness, and partnership—and is dedicated to sharing that vision with riders of all ages. She will be riding LBCR Oso Fe, her mother’s Morgan gelding, in this year’s Ride for the Brand.

Mckenzie Teel

Mckenzie grew up as a city-girl in the heart of Seattle, her childhood was spent dreaming more about horses than riding them. That all changed when she met her mentor, Dale Rumens-Partee. With Dale’s guidance Mckenzie threw herself into the world of horses with a fervor. Mckenzie has been a trainer and coach for Western Sky Horsemanship for 15 years, sharing her passion for education and horsemanship with students and horses every day.

Mckenzie is excited to be competing in 2025 Ride for the Brand. Mckenzie joined her first Cowboy Dressage gathering in 2014 and knew immediately it was something special. Mckenzie tries to carry the Cowboy Dressage tenets of soft-feel, harmony, and partnership with her in all of her horsemanship. She is excited to have the opportunity to participate in a showcase of these values in Ride for the Brand.

Mckenzie will be riding Diamond Cut Clarity, “Clarity”, a 9-year-old half-Arabian mare owned by the wonderful horsewoman Jean Rhodes. Mckenzie has had the privilege of training Clarity since Clarity was a three-year-old, and Mckenzie has enjoyed every minute of their work together. Clarity is brave, smart, and athletic and an exceptional partner in any endeavor.

Mckenzie is honored to ride for Western Sky Horsemanship and Rhodes River Ranch.

Alex Casani

I work as a trainer and coach in Chico, CA at Sheltering Oak Farms.
I train horsemanship fundamentals, Dressage, and Cowboy Dressage mostly with Arabian horses that have been bred and raised by our farm.
I showed the Arabian horse circuit in my youth and won three national championship titles in western pleasure and saddle-seat, before moving to classical dressage.
My clients appreciate my encouraging coaching style and depth of knowledge in horse and rider biomechanics and how they hinder or help each other.
I’m excited to be riding Pearl, my 11 year old Arabian mare in this year’s event. She wears the Varian brand, a hallmark of the Arabian breed that I am proud to represent.
My journey with Pearl has been focused on achieving a more balanced and harmonious relationship by relearning the fundamentals that Cowboy Dressage celebrates.

Christine Simpson

This is my fifth time Riding For the Brand. This year I’ll be riding an AQHA gelding named Colonel NuBar Legacy. Duncan is 11 years old and is owned by Jill Burlison of Silverton OR.
I’m really looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Good luck to everyone!