ABOUT US
What is Free Forward Movement?
Free Forward Movement is the foundation of all disciplines of riding horses. Without the ability to move freely, with impulsion coming forward through their core, horses can not perform at their best or sustain a heavy work load, whether it is the show ring for Dressage, running Cross Country and Foxhunting, racing barrels or ranch work.
Meet Julia
Julia Montagnet has never outgrown her love for horses, a passion that has shaped her life for over fifty years. Originally from Seattle, Washington, Julia relocated to Florida’s Emerald Coast in 2025. She brings with her a strong educational background, along with extensive experience coaching dressage and teaching rider biomechanics across multiple disciplines. Julia is a PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and currently works part-time at Grace Rides in DeFuniak Springs and Westonwood Ranch in Freeport, in addition to teaching her own independent, able-bodied students.
Julia’s equestrian education spans hunter/jumper and dressage in her youth, as well as trail obstacles and Western gaming disciplines, including mounted shooting. She began formal riding lessons at the age of nine at Evergreen Equestrian Stables in Kirkland, Washington. In her thirties, Julia returned to dressage training and began a deeper education in horse training and instruction. In 2012, she left her previous career in nonprofit accounting to become an instructor at The Horsemanship School in Redmond, Washington. In 2014, she moved to her own horse farm on Vashon Island and founded a small riding school, Island Center Farm. In 2017, she earned her PATH International Certification in Therapeutic Riding.
Along with her education in riding, Julia has been a licensed massage therapist in the State of WA since 1997 and a licensed equine massage therapist since 2014. This background has contributed to her expertise in biomechanics for both horse and rider.
Julia has worked with gentling and starting feral horses and working with horses with behavioral issues. She has been called "walking valium for horses" on more than one occassion for her ability to calm high strung, spooky horses.
Strong influences in her education include: Her most influential instructor, Karen Fitzgerald who trained with Andreas Hausberger of the Spanish Riding School, Buck Brannaman clinics, Gerd Heushmann clinics, including opportunities to sit and talk with him one and one, Peggy Cummings clinics, Charlotte Dujardin symposium. Julia was also fortunate enough to work with Seattle area trainers, Karen Fitzgeral, Molly Martin, Kelly Larsen, and pilates instructor and "Riding Doctor" Beth Glosten.