More about Cathy…

Catherine Huddleston’s life has been shaped by horses and the lessons they teach. A seasoned educator, speaker, and equine professional, Cathy blends decades of hands-on experience with a passion for helping people grow—in their confidence, communication, and connection to themselves and others. Her work centers around creating meaningful, transformational experiences that bring the wisdom of horses into everyday life, leadership, and learning.

With a Master’s in Equestrian Education from William Woods University and a Bachelor's degree in Equine Studies from Park University, Cathy brings both formal education and over 40 years of hands-on training and competitive experience to her work. She has trained with world-renowned horsemen such as Jack Brainard, competed in everything from reining and dressage to halter and hunter/jumpers, and coached riders at all levels. Her youth achievements include receiving the Kansas State Horse Project of the Year Award, with features in the AQHA Journal, and her adult career has included success at the AQHA and ABRA world levels.

Cathy’s career has spanned high-level competition, equine facility management, nonprofit leadership, and collegiate instruction. She has served as Program Director for Michael’s Foundation, developed curriculum for Florida International College’s equine management program, and managed the Al-Marah Arabian Horses facility, where she trained staff, oversaw herd care, and facilitated student learning. As a former faculty member at the Epona Center in Arizona, Cathy studied under author Linda Kohanov and became an Advanced Approved Facilitator of the Epona Approach©—a method that brings the emotional and intuitive intelligence of horses into leadership and personal development spaces.

Most recently, Cathy became a Polyvagal-Informed Equine Training Specialist through the Polyvagal Institute, further enhancing her ability to integrate neuroscience, somatic awareness, and relationship-based training into her programs.

Through it all, Cathy has remained committed to the core philosophy that underpins her work: Ask. Allow. Encourage. This model of communication and co-creation offers a grounded, presence-based alternative to traditional leadership and horsemanship approaches. Whether she’s guiding veterans through equine-facilitated learning, coaching riders through confidence blocks, or helping corporate teams improve emotional agility, Cathy’s approach is always rooted in respect—for the horse, the human, and the relationship between them.

Cathy continues to teach, speak, write, and train, offering clinics, workshops, and one-on-one coaching both in person and online. Her work invites people to slow down, tune in, and listen—not just to the horse, but to themselves. The result? Stronger communication, deeper connection, and the freedom to lead and live with authenticity.