Melissa Borror | Faculty

About Melissa

USDF Bronze Medalist Melissa Borror, has been riding since she was a young girl. Her early riding years were spent competing in the Hunter Jumper arena. After acquiring her beloved Arabian mare, “Bootscootin Too”, sixteen year-old Melissa made a move to the Arabian Show Circuit. The mare began to instill in Melissa the foundation of her horsemanship skills that have allowed her to evolve into the rider she is today. Melissa's ability over the years allowed her to adapt to many disciplines, such as saddle seat, side saddle, showmanship, and hunter-jumpers. Melissa learned at a young age, that with all disciplines, comes the respect for the animal and a level of understanding that is transferable to any style of riding: the importance of communicating with your horse effectively. Thus, allowing her to start many young horses under saddle over the years.

As Melissa's riding career evolved, she looked to bring along a new, young prospect. Sassy was bred and "Bootscootin Samor" aka Honey, began the start of Melissa's future dressage career. With patience and commitment, Melissa started Honey under saddle and trained her. Together, the pair went on to have great success in the Arabian Show Circuit.

When both were introduced to Dressage, they found the intricate details and methodical process very intriguing and challenging, tapping into her mares great intelligence. Melissa has been training with Lauren Tisdale for the last ten years. In working with Lauren, Melissa and Honey were quite successful at Training Level all the way through Third Level Dressage, having won many local, regional and national championship titles. Abruptly, at the young age of 12, Honey tragically passed away from colic complications in early 2016. This was a terrible loss for Melissa but with Sassy still at her side, she turned her attention towards teaching  lessons on her wonderful mare. . As Melissa's talent began to be sought out by riders, she fell in-love with sharing in the success of others. Her ability to engage with horses and riders of any discipline, allowed her to begin her career as a trainer.

In late 2016, Melissa purchased Fiderhelm, affectionately known as “Fid”, a green 4 1/2 year old Westphalian mare. Melissa saw great potential in Fid and it didn’t take long to know she had found a very talented horse. Over the last four years, the pair have worked very hard, yet patiently, to develop the correct basics in Dressage. They have had wonderful success at local and regional shows and have won many championship and high point breed awards. They  very successfully competed at the US National Dressage Finals in 2018 and 2019.

Currently, Melissa and Fid are competing at Second level. Melissa’s ultimate goal with Fiderhelm is to train her to compete at the Grand Prix Level. Along this training journey, Melissa is certain to keep things slow and steady and to allow the learning & training process be fun. To do so, she incorporates plenty of trail rides and travel for Fid. It’s important that she remains a happy and healthy athlete!

When Melissa is not in the barn or arena, she enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, Thomas, who also shares a love for horses. Melissa’s young Weimaraner, “Goose”, loves following in her and Thomas’s footsteps traveling to all of the barns and horse shows …..or any other “non-horsey” venues!