Learn from someone who has over 20 years of experience and has run quality lesson and training programs. Adults and children welcome!

Candee Niss has had a love of horses since her first pony was purchased for her by her parents at age 5. She began riding western pleasure in south Florida with a young lady whose background was in 4-H. Candee quickly crossed over into English riding after attending a summer camp on Long Island where she watched other girls learn how to jump.

In 1983, Candee's parents moved to the west coast of Florida where she began riding with national Pony Club instructor, Janet McCune and her husband Robert McCune. It was with them, that she learned the basics of dressage, jumping and refined her equitation. She had the opportunity to ride many horses of varied levels of training and was able to build a firm foundation of riding skills. There she competed through training level eventing and traveled throughout Florida, Georgia and Alabama and was able to earn her Pony Club H-A rating. As well as eventing, Janet made sure Candee was well-rounded by having her compete in local hunter/jumper shows.

After high school, Candee continued her education by earning her BS degree in Equestrian Studies and Business Administration from Averett University in Danville, Virginia. There she also competed in the IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association). Upon graduating, Candee traveled to Shelburne, Vermont to become a working student for Lisa Kulski. At Wingwalker Farm, Candee became passionate about dressage. Lisa provided excellent schoolmasters to ride and train on. Candee was able to learn the upper level movements as well as continuing to refine her teaching techniques.

After leaving Vermont, Candee worked as a full-time riding instructor and assistant trainer for Pat Sikorra in Pinellas Park, Florida. Candee rode many horses and gathered a large number clients who took regular lessons and competed in local hunter/jumper shows. At this point, Candee decided it was time to venture out on her own. With the help of her parents, Candee and her husband purchased Letter Perfect Stables, a full-service boarding and training facility with a 21 stall capacity. Many of Candee's students became involved in Pony Club and competed locally in dressage, hunter/jumpers and combined training. Candee took on horses in training, found suitable horses for clients and taught riding lessons as well as competed on her own. She even became a District Commissioner for Suncoast Pony Club and organized 1999 Dressage Rally. Candee had the opportunity to ride with Jean White, USDF certified instructor. With Jean's help, Candee was able to lease Bandiet, an upper-level schoolmaster, who was a wonderful teacher and friend.

Candee currently lives in the north Atlanta area and continues to teach riding lessons and school horses. As much as possible, she rides with her instructor, Barbara Handley. Barbara is a USDF Certified Instructor who has helped Candee tap into each of her horses' potential. Candee has benefited tremendously from Barbara's education and insight.

Candee works as an independent riding instructor and teaches at Willow South Riding School, owned and operated by Tawn Edwards, several days a week. Willow South has a fantastic program where kids who don't own their own horses can ride and compete in eventing. She is currently accepting new clients who are looking for an instructor to come to their farm or kids who want to join fellow event riders at Willow South!

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