About The Ranch SMA

The Ranch SMA reflects a shared standard across trainers and support staff alike, where every detail – from riding to daily care – is approached with attention and purpose.

The result is a place where horses are well cared for, riders are supported, and lasting partnerships are built.

 

 

 

 

 

Our Philosophy

We focus on developing both horse and rider, building the understanding, confidence, and tools needed to progress safely and effectively. Our approach is rooted in clarity, feel, and creating partnerships that last beyond the training process.

As a team, we bring a balanced perspective that combines strong foundations, precise execution, and confident, forward riding. Together, we prioritize correct training, thoughtful progression, and helping each horse-and-rider pair reach their full potential.

 

 

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Our Trainers/Instructors

Katja Smith

A Lifetime of Horsemanship, Refined Through Experience

 

  • Main disciplines: dressage, working equitation, ranch sorting
  • 3 decades of experience
  • Patient, skilled, guides towards correctness, competition, explaining nuance
  • Katja holds German certification (Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung) as an Amateur Trainer for Dressage and Jumping. She also has German certification in Carriage Driving as well as Barefoot Hoof Trimming.
  • Languages spoken: German, English, spanish
  • Katja is direct, encouraging, detail oriented, and persistent

Kimberly Smith

A Lifetime of Horsemanship, Refined Through Experience

  • Main disciplines: dressage, working equitation + Iberian Horses
  • Years of experience: 6 years of intense competition and learning, studying and experiencing both disciplines form the inside out to great success.
  • Key strengths: competing, training, studying, sharing information, precision, noticing details
  • Junior Dressage Rider/L3, L5 working equitation rider,
  • Languages spoken: German, English, Spanish
  • Kimberly is observant, direct, encouraging, detail oriented.

Jorge Marcos

Horsemanship, Leadership + Fun

  • Main disciplines: working equitation, dressage + Iberian Horses
  • Two decades of experience
  • Key strengths: young horse development, confidence building, suppleness, drive
  • 2008 bareback national champion, L5 Working equitation,
  • Languages spoken; Spanish, English
  • Jorge is humorous, motivated, firm, and encouraging

Our Staff

Helpful, Knowledgeable + Able

Marino: caballerango, exercise rider, trail leader,

Personable, helpful and knowledgeable

Benito: groom, all-rounder

Personable, helpful and funny

Pancho: general staff, shy, super helpful

Retreat + Camp Staff

Katja, Kimberly and Marti

Together, Katja and Kimberly bring a lifetime of horsemanship shaped by experience, discipline, and a shared passion for developing both horse and rider. As a mother–daughter team, their dynamic is grounded in trust, depth of knowledge, and a genuine joy in what they do—creating an environment that is both professional and welcoming.

Marti McGinnis joins their retreat and camp offerings as both an accomplished horsewoman and a creative force. With decades of experience teaching art and cultivating creativity across all ages, alongside a thriving professional career, she adds a unique layer of inspiration and lightness—bringing an element of discovery, expression, and delight to every experience.

Camino A La Cieneguita km 2.5 Los López, 37897 San Miguel de Allende, Gto., Mexico