Our Team

Trainers

A third generation horseman, Linnea has dedicated herself towards being an equine professional since she could walk. She competed throughout the country as a junior rider, and spent time training in Germany before returning to teach and train at the Four Winds in 2010.
Linnea is a board member of the Colorado Hunter Jumper Association, supporting the greater Colorado horse community. When she’s not at the barn, Linnea enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children.

Linnea Throckmorton

Kim Klein

Kim began her professional career in Colorado in 2012 while completing a Masters in Psychology at Colorado State University. Her training and teaching philosophy reflects her background in human learning and memory.
Outside of the barn, Kim enjoys downhill mountain biking and snowboarding with her husband Kyle.

Susan Herlihy

Susan brings more than 25 years of teaching experience to the arena. She began her career at the Naperville Equestrian Center, mentored by Grand Prix rider Victoria Ellingson.  
Susan has worked with riders as young as 7 and as mature as 75 and she is comfortable with all generations and levels. Recognized for her communication skills, Susan finds success clarifying the complicated into the understandable and turning the frustrating into the breakthrough. 

Our Philosophy

Our team of professionals works together in a cooperative environment to support our riders and horses. While each of our individual backgrounds is different, we agree on the core concepts that define our program. We bring a European, dressage-based background to traditional American forward seat riding, creating versatile riders with the ability to ride many types of horses in the hunter, jumper, or equitation rings. We educate horses and riders with an emphasis on flatwork, communication, and better basics, building a solid foundation for success over bigger jumps. Most importantly, no matter the level of horse or rider, we approach training with positivity and a growth mindset, creating an empowering environment for riders to learn. Each trainer incorporates their own unique experiences, language, and priorities to their training in a way that both complements and brings variety to our program as a whole.

Management

  • Jasmine Throckmorton

    Since childhood, Jasmine has been involved in the events and activity of the barn. As an adult, she’s found her stride in barn management. She enjoys focusing on the horse’s care, developing solid relationships with vendors, facilitating educational opportunities for herself and boarders, and organizing the many competitions hosted at the Four Winds. If you have a problem, she prides herself on finding the right solution!

  • Charles Throckmorton

    Charles was a successful Grand Prix and Derby rider from 1980 through the early 2000’s before he put up his riding hat and became a full time licensed USEF “R” Course designer and competition manager. When he is home, he continues to help with lessons and training and offers in house clinics. You can find him most readily being our resident handyman and on-the-ground horseman
    Charles is the man who started Four Winds in its entirety and we owe him our eternal gratitude for his wisdom, patience and love of horses.

Lesson and Lease Horses

Get to know the most important members of our team: the school horses! We maintain experienced horses appropriate for a wide range of riders. Whether you are new to the horse world or looking to expand your skill set, we have a horse for you!

  • Baron

    Baron is a 2017 thoroughbred gelding with tons of scope. He has started his jumping training with us at the Four Winds, and continues to develop with advanced riders in our program.

  • Lady

    Lady is a 2004 quarter pony. She is our tried and true, used in our Little’s Lessons and for kids showing through the 2fts. She begins all of our young riders from lead line to their first canters.

  • Marley

    Marley is a 15.2h, 2004 Quarter Horse used for lessons through 2’6”. This mare rises to the level of her rider and is generally just fun to work with. She is one of our barn favorites for the confidence she instills in riders.

  • Pippi

    Pippi is a 2002 Canadian Warmblood mare who competed through the 1.10m with her owner. She is great to teach riders the technical feel of a bigger jump in a safe and fun manner.

  • Scooter

    Scooter is a 2012 Quarter horse gelding who previously was a competitive reiner. He has automatic lead changes and is suitable for riders through 2ft. We also use him for our “Little’s Lessons.”