Instructors


Our teaching philosophy is to provide a positive environment where horse and rider can have a strong relationship together and learn from each other. We strive to teach all our students good horsemanship skills along with the skills required to be good riders. Cornerstone Instructors believe in giving our riders a strong foundation of balance, rhythm, and use of quiet aids with which to grow in any discipline they choose. Our riders are started slowly, making sure that they understand a skill set before being moved ahead, and are pushed only as quickly as they choose to move up. We do not want any of our students to feel pressured to perform at a higher level when they are not comfortable moving up. Cornerstone instructors believe that Dressage is the basis of all English riding and teach flatwork and jumping lessons with an application to Dressage.


Courtney Rowles - Owner & ARIA Certified Instructor


I began riding at the age of 4 and quickly feel in love with horses. I started taking hunter riding lessons and spent most of my junior career in the Hunter and Dressage arenas. I bought and trained some green horses and turned them into accomplished hunters. Throughout my riding career I have always cross-trained with combined training and have found that most horses really enjoy being able to escape the rigors of arena work on a cross-country course. Once in high school, I began to compete in the Jumper Ring as well and really fell in love with the technical aspects of show jumping. I love how good dressage work can help you to excel on a show jumping course. I competed and trained show jumpers up through the Mini-Prix level.

Once in college, I realized that my heart was with the horses and I did not feel as passionate about anything else as much as when I was at the barn! I attended Texas A&M University and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Science and a Master’s Degree in Epidemiology & Biostatistics. I felt like a college education was essential and I continued riding through school. I graduated from college in 2000 and knew that I had to find a way to make my passion my career. I was lucky enough to be able to start teaching and training full-time at that point and have been going strong ever since. I love what I do and am one of those lucky people that wake up every day and loves going to work. I received accreditation from the American Riding Instructor’s Association as a Certified Instructor in Hunt Seat, Show Jumping, Dressage, and Stable Management. I believe strongly in the certification program and feel that anyone that is in charge with providing training to people and horses should be held accountable for not only what they know, but their ability to be able to teach it to other people. The state of Texas does not require that riding instructors have any credentials or certification to be able to work, so it is up to the consumer to do their research and seek out individuals that they feel are accomplished and able to teach safely.

I am the owner/trainer/instructor at Cornerstone Sport Horses and I created our facility in order to provide my clients a sanctuary for spending time with their horses. I wanted to be able to offer them quality instruction and training at a top-notch facility that has a laid back, family friendly atmosphere. I believe that all of our riders are important and want each of them to succeed to whatever level they hope to reach. Whatever your goals are with your riding, I can help you reach them.

Brooke Baker - Instructor/Trainer


It has often been wondered by many parents, “Where in the world did this fascination with horses come from?!” Well, I know for sure that my parents pondered this question more often than not while I was growing up! Unlike so many of my fellow equestrian friends, my parents were scared to death of horses, so I wasn’t allowed to ride at all. My mother had a frequently used quote in our home, “When you turn 18 you can do what you want, but until then…” When she told me I could have a horse at 18, I doubt she ever thought it would happen. I was determined though & thus bought an $800 retired trail horse to learn on. I’ll never forget the shock on my mother’s face! To her dismay, I cleaned stalls for board, baby sat for lessons, and 13years of very hard work later, here I am!

I attended Sam Houston State University, where I could take my horse with me. I received my degree in Agricultural Business & Animal Science. As fate would have it, I stumbled upon an English barn that showed me the joy of jumping. Once in the English world, I was asked to teach Hunter lessons at a local barn. I enjoyed starting young horses and students and have thus grown my business from there. As my career branched out, I was introduced to the world of Eventing. I finally found my true passion. I am absolutely in love this sport! It requires you be able to take something as beautiful and technical as dressage, and then combine it with the rigors and endurance required for cross country and show jumping. It is a sport that requires bravery, horsemanship and forges an incredible horse and rider bond.

Over the past year, I have made a strong presence on the national show circuit. I competed in Florida, Kentucky, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas. I was ranked 5th at the Adult Novice level in the United States Eventing Association. I am a candidate for receiving my USEA Gold medal at Novice and I hope to do the same this year at the Training level. During this past winter, I was invited to Ocala, Florida by US Olympian Darren Chiacchia. While there, I rode and trained with Darren, fellow Olympian Karen O’Connor, and WEG team member Jim Graham. I will be returning to Florida this year to ride with many of the same top riders, and will be adding Buck Davidson to that list as well. Over the past few years, I have trained with many talented riders such as Will Faudree, Cathy Weischhoff, Todd Minikus and Jennifer Bodtman. I am a firm believer in continuing education and therefore constantly attend clinics and programs to further my riding capabilities. I love teaching and am confident that I can help you or your student achieve your riding goals!

Tina Marshall - Instructor/Trainer


I have had a love for horses since i was a little girl. While I never competed, I started out riding Western on my uncle's horses every chance I got. However, when I was in fifth grade, my family moved to Tuscon, AZ where the only horseback riding was an occasional trail ride. i never had the opportunity to become serious in my riding.

Through many years of school, work and raising my three children, I never lost my interest or love for horses. When I moved back to Texas, I overheard a couple of mothers at my son's daycare talking about lessons at a local English barn. While this was a foreign type of riding for me, I decieded to give it a try. It was horses, so where could I go wrong? I signed up for lessons and have been riding ever since. I eventually bought my first horse and we have been a work in progress ever since.

I started teaching about six years ago and love doing so. I have always worked with either children or animals and feel extremely lucky to have a job that allows me to do both. there is nothing more gratifying than seeing the kids learn and master a sport that they love as much as I do.