About Us

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. It was with Janet 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. 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. She works as an independent contractor and teaches at Willow South Riding School several
days a week. She is currently accepting new clients who are looking for an instructor to come to their
farm or stable.