About – Cowgirl Steph

About me

My

Certifications / Qualifications

Stephanie Smith is a visionary leader, lifelong learner, and dedicated mentor—empowering others through horses, healing, and heart.

30+

Years of Exprience

Certified Strategic Consultant to Equine Professionals (Nationwide)
Executive & Equine Director, FaithfulHearts Equine Learning Center (Woodland Park, CO)
PATH® Certified Supervising Instructor / Mentor
CTRI (PATH® – Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor)
ESMHL (PATH® – Certified Equine Specialist, Mental Health Learning)
BS Animal Agribusiness / Minor Farm Management – Purdue University
Equine Management / Early Childhood Education – Green County
Multiple 1st Place Awards & Trophies – Western Disciplines
Multiple Barrel Racing Money Earnings and 1st Place Awards
Grand Champion Showmanship – 2 years
Purdue Scholarship Recipient – Full Ride
President of Horse and Pony 4H Clubs (youth)

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Me, Steph!

My Bio

Stephanie Smith

(a.k.a. Cowgirl Steph) is passionate about Horses, the Organizations that promote them, the Professionals that run them, and the Clients they impact. With over 30 years in the equine industry, her career has been shaped by a lifelong love of horsemanship and a deep commitment to leadership, education, and healing.

As a nationally respected and certified equine professional

Stephanie has worked across nearly every facet of the equine world—from training and competition to nonprofit leadership and curriculum development. Today, she helps fellow equine professionals elevate their operations, refine their programs, strengthen their teams, and build programs that truly change lives.

Born in Park Ridge, Illinois

and raised in rural southern Indiana, Stephanie began riding at the age of 12 and quickly immersed herself in the equine world through 4-H Horse and Pony Club. By high school, she was leading the club as a two-term president and mentoring younger members—a preview of the impactful career that would follow. During those years, she dominated the show pen, earning back-to-back Grand Champion titles in Showmanship and Horsemanship.

In the early 1990s

Stephanie competed in western pleasure, showmanship, trail, and halter, later broadening her repertoire to include barrel racing, team penning, colt starting, hunt seat, jumping, and problem-solving. Her devotion to continued learning led her to hands-on clinics with legendary horsemen including Ray Hunt, Buck Brannaman, Clinton Anderson, John Lyons, Stacy Westfall, and Craig Cameron.

Purdue University

Stephanie earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Agribusiness with a minor in Farm Management from Purdue University in 2001 through a full-ride scholarship. From there, she managed a boarding facility, trained horses professionally, and taught riding lessons. In 2003, she co-launched a faith-based equine ministry for at-risk youth, serving as Program Director and Volunteer Coordinator for over eight years. She authored the program’s handbook, led camps and clinics, and became a recognized speaker in the equine-assisted services space. She found early joy in mentoring budding horsemen—planting the seeds of a career dedicated to teaching and connection.

Experience

Her experience spans not only horsemanship but also consulting and directing—designing horse management plans, educational programs, and facility operations for ranches and equestrian centers. In 2013, she began training under a classical dressage mentor to sharpen her skills in preparation for PATH certification, all while raising two children and working part-time in education. During this time, she also earned certifications in early childhood education and social-emotional development, enriching her approach to equine instruction.

In 2019

Stephanie became a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor through PATH International. In 2020, she co-founded FaithfulHearts Equine Learning Center in Woodland Park, Colorado—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to healing and growth through horse-human connection. She earned her Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) certification in 2021 and now serves as the organization’s acting Executive and Equine Director, where she continues to build a thriving program rooted in faith, horsemanship, and service.