RIDING ACADEMY TEAM
Meet Our Team
The Cadence Riding Academy Team brings experienced leadership, expert coaching, and dedicated care to every lesson. Our dedicated instructors work with riders of all levels, focusing on strong horsemanship and individualized instruction to create a supportive environment where each rider can learn, grow, and enjoy the journey.
Christy Buchanan
OWNER & DIRECTOR
20+ Years at Cadence Equestrian Center
CPR/AED Certified
Safesport Trained
Bachelor of Science, Oklahoma State University
Christy@cadenceequestrian.com
Christy Buchanan is the Owner and Director of Cadence Equestrian Center and has been the driving force behind its growth and development for the past 20 years. She oversees the center’s operations and programs with a strong commitment to excellence and an enduring passion for horses and the equestrian community.
Christy founded the Cadence Riding Academy, Camp Cadence, and Team Cadence IEA with a vision of making riding, horsemanship, and competition accessible to more people—especially young riders—without requiring them to own a horse. At the heart of that vision is the belief that there is a place in the sport for every rider, whether they ride recreationally, simply enjoy learning and spending time with horses, or aspire to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
Christy’s dream was also to create a program where riders who want to pursue the sport further have the opportunity to progress from their very first experience on a horse through advanced riding and competition. Today, that pathway is available through the Cadence Training Program, led by Christy’s daughter and Head Trainer, Rebecca Buchanan, which provides advanced instruction and opportunities to compete at premier horse shows and prestigious finals across the country.
With a strong focus on quality, organization, and continual improvement, Christy remains deeply involved in the direction and day-to-day operations of Cadence. Her dedication to Cadence and the greater equestrian community, along with her commitment to creating exceptional opportunities for horses and riders, continues to guide the center’s growth and future.
Melissa Hammond
HEAD ACADEMY INSTRUCTOR & HEAD IEA COACH
USHJA CREDENTIALIED INSTRUCTOR & CERTIFIED TRAINER
15+ Years at Cadence Equestrian Center
CPR/AED Certified
Safesport Trained
Melissa@cadenceequestrian.com
Melissa Hammond plays a key role in the Cadence training program as Assistant Trainer to our Head Trainer, Rebecca Buchanan, Head Academy Instructor, and Head Coach of the Team Cadence IEA Team. A professional trainer and riding instructor at Cadence since 2015, Melissa is experienced in teaching riders at every level, from those building their foundations through our most advanced riders.
Known for her exceptional attention to detail, Melissa excels at identifying the small adjustments that can make a big difference in a rider’s performance. Her technical knowledge and precise teaching style help riders refine their skills, strengthen their position and effectiveness, and continue progressing toward more advanced riding and competition.
Melissa began riding in the Cadence Riding Academy at a very young age, later progressing through our competitive training program and building a successful show career at both local and USHJA-rated competitions. Her lifelong experience within the Cadence program gives her a unique understanding of rider development from the earliest lessons through advanced riding and competition at shows across the country.
Melissa is a USHJA Certified Trainer and USHJA Credentialed Instructor, bringing extensive teaching, training, and competition experience to both our Academy and competitive programs.
Rachel Buchanan
ACADEMY INSTRUCTOR, FITNESS & STRENGTH COACH
8+ Years at Cadence Equestrian Center
CPR/AED Certified
Safesport Trained
Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology, University of Centeral Oklahoma
Rachel@cadenceequestrian.com
Rachel Buchanan is a dedicated instructor at Cadence Riding Academy, where her passion for teaching and developing confident riders shines through in every lesson. With over 8 years of coaching and teaching experience, Rachel brings a thoughtful, progression-based approach to helping students build strong foundations and advance their skills both in and out of the saddle.
Rachel began riding at the age of five in the hunter-jumper discipline and has competed at rated shows across the country, giving her valuable firsthand experience in the sport and the demands of competitive riding.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Central Oklahoma and brings a strong understanding of human movement, fitness, and performance to her instruction. Rachel holds certifications in exercise management and is SafeSport and CPR/AED certified, incorporating rider wellness and safety into her teaching philosophy.
Rachel teaches riders of all levels and is especially skilled at guiding students through steady, confidence-building progression as they move up the levels.
Hannah Traynor
ACADEMY INSTRUCTOR
7+ Years at Cadence Equestrian Center
Hannah@cadenceequestrian.com
Hannah Traynor is an Academy Riding Instructor at Cadence Riding Academy, known for her kindness, supportive nature, and thoughtful approach to teaching. She creates a positive and encouraging environment where riders feel comfortable building confidence, developing their skills, and challenging themselves.
Hannah teaches riders of all ages and levels, bringing patience and encouragement to every lesson. She enjoys helping riders establish strong foundations while continuing to guide and challenge them as their skills progress.
Outside of Cadence, Hannah is a practicing attorney and holds degrees from both the University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University School of Law. Her strong communication and problem-solving skills complement her thoughtful approach to teaching.
Romy Cameron-Mazin
ACADEMY INSTRUCTOR & HERD MANAGER
Safesport Trained
Bachelor of Business Admin, University of Central Oklahoma
Romy@cadenceequestrian.com
Romy Cameron-Mazin began riding in the Cadence Riding Academy in 2017 and has grown from a Cadence rider into an encouraging and approachable Academy Riding Instructor, recognized for her ability to connect with riders of all ages and personalities.
With her thoughtful and encouraging teaching style, Romy is particularly skilled at starting riders and helping them develop a strong foundation of riding skills, confidence, and horsemanship that supports their continued growth and progression.
Romy also serves as Herd Manager, helping oversee the care and well-being of Cadence’s wonderful lesson horses.
She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Central Oklahoma. Outside of teaching, Romy enjoys riding and showing her own horse, Ser.
Reid Whitaker
ACADEMY INSTRUCTOR & ASSISTANT IEA COACH
Reid@cadenceequestrian.com
Reid Whitaker began riding at Cadence Equestrian Center at the age of 11, where she trained under our Head Trainer, Rebecca Buchanan. She progressed through Cadence’s competitive program, successfully competing at both local and USHJA-rated horse shows.
As an Academy Riding Instructor, Reid enjoys working with riders of all ages and levels, from those developing their foundational skills to more experienced riders looking to continue their progression. She also serves as the Assistant Coach of the Team Cadence IEA Team, bringing her years of riding and competition experience to both her teaching and coaching.
Reid also works as a Veterinary Technician, bringing valuable hands-on experience in equine health and horse care to the Cadence program.
Outside of teaching and coaching, Reid enjoys spending time with and riding her own horse, Rio.
Evie Cameron-Mazin
ACADEMY INSTRUCTOR
Bachelor of Science, Chemistry, University of Central Oklahoma
Evie@cadenceequestrian.com
Evie Cameron Mazin has been part of the Cadence family since 2017, when she began riding at Cadence Equestrian Center. For the past six years, she has worked with Camp Cadence and now serves as Head Camp Cadence Counselor, bringing years of experience working with children both in and out of the saddle.
As an Academy Riding Instructor, Evie works with riders of varying ages and levels and is especially skilled at teaching younger riders. Her patience, encouragement, and positive approach help riders build confidence, develop strong foundational skills, and enjoy their time with horses.
Evie holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a minor in Biology from the University of Central Oklahoma and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Biochemistry at the University of Oklahoma.
Teagan Dawson
ACADEMY INSTRUCTOR
Teagan@cadenceequestrian.com
Teagan Dawson began riding in the Cadence Riding Academy at a young age and continues to train in Cadence’s competitive training program under Head Trainer Rebecca Buchanan. An accomplished rider and competitor, Teagan has competed through the 1.35m level and has qualified for and competed at equitation indoor finals, in addition to competing successfully at USHJA-rated competitions across the country with her horse, Wiggles.
As an Academy Riding Instructor, Teagan is especially skilled at working with young riders and helping them develop a strong foundation from the very beginning. Her patience, sweet demeanor, and encouraging approach help riders build confidence while developing strong riding skills and horsemanship.
Outside of teaching, Teagan continues to ride and compete with Wiggles as an active member of Cadence’s competitive training program.
Bethany Boatright
ACADEMY GROOM
8+ Years at Cadence Equestrian Center
Office@cadenceequestrian.com
Bethany Boatright is the heart of our lesson program, ensuring everything runs smoothly in our Riding Academy and caring for our wonderful herd of lesson horses. Known for her kindness and dedication, she warmly greets our students and always makes them feel at home.
Bethany’s caring nature extends beyond the barn as she also serves as a Camp Cadence counselor, sharing her love for horses and her positive energy with campers.
LOCATION
CONTACT US
14150 S. Pine Street Edmond, OK 73034
(405) 513-4488