Meet Ariana Sakaris

An evolving journey of love, patience, and compassion

A lifelong passion was born

Ariana’s journey with horses began at the age of 5 years old at a local riding facility in Greece. She became fascinated by the interactions 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.

She 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, trust, and balance between horses and humans.

Early Education

After returning to the U.S. from Greece at age 11, Ariana continued learning from rescue horses at a local Maryland riding school. She went on to study intensively for over 8 years under a former Russian Olympic Dressage Coach & Master of Sport, completing more than 400 hours of certified hands-on education.

As her technical skills 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 a deep understanding the horse’s mind and heart.

Finding Her Direction

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 the self-awareness, compassion, and tools to bring horses into mental, emotional, and physical balance while nurturing their confidence and trust.

Ariana's

Achievements

United States Dressage Federation Silver Medalist
National Dressage Pony Cup Mustang Champion (2x)
International Liberty Horse Association Bareback & Bridleless Champion (2x)
International Liberty Horse Association Liberty Horse Champion (2x)
United States Dressage Federation Mustang All-Breeds Award Champion (2x)
Mustang Makeover Reserve Champion
Midwest Horse Fair Star Search Reserve Champion
Award-winning filmmaker for her short documentary Wild Heart.

She has also been a clinician and given demonstrations at the:

International Liberty Horse Association Liberty Festival (2x)
Midwest Horse Fair (2x)
Equine Affaire (April 2026)
Kentucky Horse Park (numerous events)
National Mounted Police Colloquium (2x)
Numerous private events

Performed at events under her mentors:

U.S. Dressage Finals
Breyerfest
Denver National Stock Show

Ariana's Intention

Ariana’s mission is to help people understand their horses on a deeper level — to observe, listen, and work with them. Through her instruction, she helps students develop the 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.

Her Growing Commitment to Helping Horses and Humans

Based in Kentucky, Ariana offers clinics, demonstrations, instruction, and training focused on Liberty Work, Dressage, Groundwork, and Relationship-Based Problem Solving.

Her 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 connection with their horse, and make progress towards their dreams - with empathy and joy at each step along the way.