CJ Carpenter is a fourth-generation horsewoman with a lifelong dedication to the art and science of horsemanship.

With over 25 years of experience across hunter/jumper, dressage, and western disciplines and more than 20 years in the show ring, she brings both depth and versatility to her work. Her roots run deep—her great-grandfather and grandmother were ranchers, and her mother was a dedicated hunter/jumper and dressage rider who trained under the legendary classical master Mike Sutton. That lineage shaped CJ’s lifelong reverence for classical riding principles, which continue to guide her training philosophy today.

Her professional resume spans training, sales, coaching, and show management—including starting young horses, coaching high-level dressage pairs, hunter/jumpers, reiners, trail riders, and driving teams. She has managed large polo teams and coached both their players and ponies, bringing out performance in high-pressure, fast-paced environments. She also has hands-on experience in equine transportation, with an understanding of how to move horses safely, calmly, and efficiently.

CJ has an extensive background in medical and behavioral rehabilitation, having worked with everything from sensitive rescues to elite performance horses recovering from injury. Her work is rooted in biomechanical correctness, softness, patience, and balance - whether she’s restarting a troubled horse, developing a young prospect from the ground up, or polishing a seasoned competitor.

CJ earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Oakland University, graduating Cum Laude, and spent two years as a researcher in an academic cell biology lab focused on wound healing. That scientific foundation adds precision to her understanding of equine anatomy, conditioning, and recovery. Her additional three years in the pharmaceutical industry as a biological quality assurance and safety manager honed her professional communication skills and business acumen.

An experienced equine photographer of 15 years, CJ brings a trained eye for conformation, expression, and movement—skills that allow her to present horses at their absolute best.

Her approach at TruBlu Equestrian is honest, refined, and deeply informed by classical tradition. Whether training, selling, or coaching, CJ believes in doing right by the horse—through feel, fairness, and timeless fundamentals.