Marlie Perkins Bucardo
Marlie uses her experience from training in different english disciplines to give students a well rounded riding education. Her background in biology and animal behavior allows her to understand and connect with horses on many levels, and she is passionate about inspiring others to achieve this same sort of connection!
Marlie began taking weekly horseback riding lessons when she was 6 years old. As a child, she was fortunate to train with several different instructors in several different disciplines, including english pleasure, hunter/jumper, eventing, and dressage. From 2014-2018, Marlie attended the University of New England to study Environmental Science and Animal Behavior; there, she was captain of the school's IHSA riding team. The team practiced out of High Standard Stables in Wells, Maine, where Marlie eventually became an assistant trainer. While studying for her degree in Animal Behavior, Marlie was able to study and apply multiple theories of animal training. It was also during this time that Marlie became interested in Natural Horsemanship and using methods from Monty Roberts and Pat Parelli in starting and re-training horses.
In 2019 Marlie moved to Central America. After meeting her husband and moving to San Juan del Sur, Marlie co-founded the local animal rescue and relief organization, SOS Animales.
Marlie returned back to the United States in 2022 and began working full time for Great Island Riding Academy as an instructor and schedule manager. Great Island Riding Academy is a premiere center for horseback riding; the program hosts over 25 lessons a day and shapes competitive and well educated equestrians, many of whom go on to compete at a national level. Marlie thrived teaching and shaping young horse lovers, and when the time came to return to San Juan del Sur Marlie began to fulfill her dream of starting her own riding program.
