Presenter
Ariana Sakaris
Ariana is known for her calm, patient, and deeply empathetic approach with both horses and humans. Her teaching blends clarity with compassion, helping others discover a kinder way of understanding, communicating, and working with their horses. Through her thoughtful attention to detail and her commitment to understanding things from the horse’s perspective, Ariana has become widely respected for creating harmony and trust between horse and human.
Ariana’s journey with horses began at the age of 5 years old at a local riding facility in Greece, where she became fascinated by the language between horses and people. Those early experiences ignited a lifelong passion to learn, grow, and explore what true partnership means — both with horses and within herself.
After returning to the U.S. from Greece, Ariana continued learning from rescue horses at a local Maryland riding school. She went on to study for over 8 years under a former Russian Olympic Dressage Coach & Master of Sport, completing more than 400 hours of certified hands-on education.
Yet, as her technical skill grew, so did her awareness that something essential was missing — a genuine, two-way connection with the horse. She realized that true mastery couldn’t be achieved through technique alone, but through empathy, awareness, and understanding the horse’s mind and heart.
This realization sparked a transformative journey. Ariana spent years traveling across the U.S. and to France to study with some of the world’s leading professionals — from Grand Prix and Classical Dressage masters to Liberty and Horsemanship experts. These experiences helped her cultivate self-awareness, compassion, and tools to bring horses into mental, emotional, and physical balance while nurturing their confidence and trust.
Ariana is a United States Dressage Federation Silver Medalist, a four-time International Liberty Horse Association Champion, National Dressage Pony Cup Mustang Champion, USDF Mustang Breed Award Champion, Mustang Makeover Reserve Champion, Midwest Horse Fair Star Search Reserve Champion, and award-winning filmmaker for her short documentary Wild Heart. She has also presented multiple times at the International Liberty Horse Association Liberty Festival, Midwest Horse Fair, Kentucky Horse Park, National Mounted Police Colloquium, and many other national events.
Ariana’s mission is to help people understand their horses on a deeper level — to observe, listen, and work “with” them rather than “at” them. Through her instruction, she helps students develop self-reflection, awareness, and skills to guide their horses in a compassionate, respectful way. Her approach helps each horse feel safe, relaxed, balanced, and confident while progressing towards goals.
Based in Paris, Kentucky, Ariana offers clinics, demonstrations, instruction, and training focused on Liberty Work, Dressage, Groundwork, and Relationship-Based Problem Solving.
Her online program, Student of the Horse, provides monthly Masterclasses, live Q&A coaching, and step-by-step video lessons to help students transform their communication, deepen their understanding and connection, and enjoy the journey toward their dreams — with empathy and joy at each step along the way.
Because of the Horse...
I have learned how to open my mind and heart to see, feel, and understand things from different perspectives, and to stay connected to the quiet strength of compassion in every action that I take.
2026 Presentations
Ariana Sakaris
DAY 1
★ Trick Training for Brain Training
This in-depth Masterclass from inside Ariana’s membership program explores trick training as far more than just flashy performance tricks. You’ll learn what trick training truly is, how horses learn, how to choose the right tricks for your horse, and how to thoughtfully break them down to best help your horse learn.
Ariana also covers realistic timing, frequency, and expectations—so trick training feels achievable rather than overwhelming. At its core, this training reframes tricks as a powerful container for developing your horse’s ability to think, build their confidence, and grow their feelings of success. You’ll leave with a fresh perspective and renewed motivation to refine your communication and deepen your partnership with your horse.
DAY 2
★ When Your Horse Leaves at Liberty - Your Most Valuable Learning Opportunities
This in-depth Masterclass from inside Ariana’s membership program explores one of the most misunderstood moments in liberty work: when your horse chooses to leave. Rather than viewing leaving as a problem to fix or prevent, Ariana reframes it as a powerful opportunity for growth. You’ll learn why leaving is a natural and important part of liberty work, how to prepare for those moments, how to respond in a thoughtful way that’s unique to your horse, and practical tools and exercises to invite your horse back. This training supports your horse in feeling safe to explore the environment while learning how to mentally navigate their way back to you. You’ll leave with a calmer perspective, clearer strategies, and a deeper understanding of partnership at liberty.
★ The Beginning of Inviting Focus for Liberty Work
In this video, you’ll be introduced to the foundational concept of inviting your horse’s focus as the first step towards meaningful Liberty work. Instead of beginning with larger maneuvers, we can begin with a simple, quiet exercise that invites the horse into a mental space where learning can begin. We’ll explore what focus looks and feels like from the horse, why cultivating focus is an essential element in all communication, how to begin at the halt using a halter and lead rope, and how to thoughtfully transition the same principles to the halt at Liberty. Whether you are new to Liberty or refining your basics, this video offers a clear simple starting point that invites deeper communication and partnership.
Get to know
Ariana Sakaris
