Th
e Beginning
Melanie Ferrio began her journey with horses at the age of five, motivated by a desire to support her best friend in taking riding lessons. Coming from a family without a horsey background, she had to find creative ways to be around horses, becoming a familiar presence at local barns.
As she grew up, her passion for horses deepened, ultimately leading her to establish a farm in Fallston, Maryland, where she gained recognition for training and selling exceptional sporthorses. In 2013, she embarked on a unique journey into bridleless riding with her horse, Boyd. Melanie used only two dressage whips, relying primarily on her body language to communicate with Boyd, who thrived without a bridle.
Boyd – The horse that started it all
After Boyd’s passing, Melanie shifted her focus to a Warmblood named Vlad, who came with a complex history. Vlad was an extremely complicated and emotional horse with a long history of bad behavior. He had grown up in the Dominican Republic as a stallion prospect but was gelded after failing as a jumper and sold to the USA as a dressage prospect. His transition was anything but smooth; he continued to exhibit anger and spookiness, bordering on dangerous behavior. After a couple of years of struggle, Vlad was given to Melanie for free, shipped without her even accepting to take him. The owner was desperate to get rid of this horse known for his extreme behavor problems. When Vlad arrived, he was exactly what one might expect from a horse described as dangerous — anxious and challenging.
However, with time, love, and patience, Melanie began to unravel the layers of Vlad’s troubled past. Once they started to jump, he revealed his exceptional talent, living up to his show name, Wings. Together, they captivated audiences at horse expos and shows. Notably, in October 2017, Melanie and Vlad made history by competing bridleless at the Washington International Horse Show, successfully navigating the High Adult Jumper 1.15m course. Their inspiring performance received worldwide attention, proving that dreams could be pursued and achieved.
Now in his twenties, Vlad remains active in his riding. He currently teaches lessons at a therapy program, helping others while waiting to perform for crowds.
Meanwhile, Melanie has been training bridleless with a spirited Holsteiner mare named Val, nicknamed Dragon in the barn and her Quarter Horse named Hemi. Together, they are continuing their journey into the world of bridleless riding, showcasing the bond and communication that can exist between horse and rider. Melanie hopes that through her experiences, she inspires others to chase their dreams, no matter how daunting they may seem.
