Melissa Hirt, Owner/Trainer: A native of suburban Chicago, Melissa moved to Leelanau County in 1995. After leasing a farm in nearby Empire and developing her clientele, the Melissa completed the construction of her equine dream in 2000: Northern Pines Farm.

As a young rider, Melissa quickly demonstrated her natural talent and won many Midwest championships in both the hunters and jumpers under the direction of Nancy Whitehead. As a professional, Melissa continues to compete as she travels with her students, showing her own horses in the Grand Prixs. Her busy schedule takes her to the top-rated shows throughout the Midwest and to the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida each winter.

Melissa's students have won numerous top honors at the zone, regional, and national levels through her precise training and remarkable skill of matching riders and horses to create impressive teams. She also enjoys raising and training young horses for the show ring.