About Us

Zella is the owner, founder, and head trainer of Bay Star Sporthorses. With over a decade in the industry, over five years coaching/instructing, and a dedication to improving and learning, Zella is so excited to offer her experience and help riders and horses reach their full potential. 

While mostly riding in the hunter jumper discipline, Zella brings her experience in a variety of riding styles, including western. She has worked and ridden under a variety of trainers, including those involved in hunters, jumpers, hunt seat equitation, roping, stock seat equitation, ranch riding, and more. She has shown in the jumper, hunter, and equitation rings and has had a part in training english horses and western horses alike. Her personal experience as an Equine Gestalt Method client and sports psychology client, as well as her interest in the mental performance side of riding and training helps her to connect with riders and offer a kind and thoughtful approach that fosters confidence. She also stresses the importance of horsemanship and proper management skills, ensuring all horses that come through her program are having their needs met and that all riders understand what goes into taking care of our equine partners. Zella's past experiences as an athlete in a variety of sports outside of equestrian also helps her to think of the horses and riders as athletes and train them as such to set her clients up for success. 

Zella's philosophy stems from her own experiences, taking away as much information as she can from every source she can learn from and every horse she can ride. She emphasizes a correct foundation for horses and riders, proper care and ethics in management and instructing, and the message that hard work can truly get you anywhere. There is always more than one way to do something, so Zella believes it is necessary to look at each horse and rider as an individual to ensure specific needs are met. She specializes in horses who tend to be considered misunderstood, high-strung, anxious, or sometimes even dangerous, and prides herself on her ability to listen, calmly make adjustments, and guide horses with a quiet and reassuring hand. She wants to leave every horse and rider better than how she found them, and hopes to make a positive impact on the equestrian industry. 

Zella is completing her bachelor's degree in Equine Science and Management from the University of Kentucky with a minor in Agricultural Economics, a certificate in Agricultural Leadership, and as a student of the Lewis Honors College. After graduating from her undergrad, Zella plans to complete the Accelerated Masters Program and receive her master's degree in Agricultural Economics. 

Zella is insured and set up for in-house and travel riding lessons and training! Visit our services page to find out more or contact us to schedule!