About Us
The main focus of Trouvaille Horsemanship
is creating a unique horse-human connection which applies to all disciplines.
Our background is in the Hunter/Jumpers,
but we believe it is important to embrace all other disciplines
to create a knowledgable, well rounded rider.
Our main goal is to create a welcoming environment where riders can share ideas,
reach their goals
and develop relationships with their horses in and out of the saddle.
​
Lexie Sendro
​
Lexie has been riding since she was four years old. During her junior years, she competed extensively on the East Coast hunter/jumper circuit, from schooling shows to AA competitions. She competed on her large pony, Frostline, from 2009 to 2012 under the tutelage of Cindy Troy-McKee. She competed in multiple finals those four years and received many year-end Championships, including 2010 Zone 2 Horse of the Year.
After moving up to horses, she traveled with, Liz Perry of Pear Tree Show Stable, and has groomed and competed at many shows including Charleston SC, Fairfield CT, WEC-Ohio and Vermont. In her last junior year, she qualified for the Junior Hunter National Championships East Coast and was 4th overall in the 3'3" Junior Hunters 16-17.
Lexie also has a strong Horsemanship background and has studied under great teachers such as Greg Eliel, Lara DeLorenzo-Sims and Melanie Smith-Taylor. She believes that regardless of your discipline, great horsemanship begins on the ground, enhancing your relationship with the horse.
Lexie is a 2020 graduate of the University of Findlay with a BS in Equestrian Sports Coaching and Management, a degree which she created. This degree program combines aspects of coaching and teaching human athletes, as well as courses in nutrition, training and conditioning of the equine athlete. As a senior at Findlay, she competed on the IHSA Hunt Seat team in Open Fences and Open Flat and qualified for 2020 Zone finals in Open Fences before the season was cut short. She competed at the ANRC National Hunter Championships in 2019 and IHSA Nationals in 2017 and 2018 as a part of the National Team and in 2019, placing third overall in Individual Intermediate Over Fences.
Having grown up competing while immersed in a traditional horsemanship environment, Lexie experienced first-hand how this approach resulted in calmer, happier and better-acclimated horses. As Lexie transitioned into the equine industry as a professional, she recognized a growing departure from horsemanship toward quick fixes, shortcuts, and competitive pressure that most often compromised the horse’s welfare. She also observed how rare it is to find trainers that are well versed in horsemanship or acknowledge the true value as it relates to the horse's long term well being in their program.
​
As a young professional, dedicated to preserving and advancing these principles, Lexie felt called to help bridge the gap. Guided by her mentors Greg Eliel and Lara DeLorenzo-Sims — who were themselves profoundly influenced by the legendary horsemen Ray Hunt and Tom and Bill Dorrance — she is now committed to building a program that applies to all disciplines, which is rooted in thoughtful horse-centered training, education, and the long-term physical and mental well-being of both horse and rider.
Dana Sendro
Barn Manager
A graduate of Virginia Intermont College, Dana has always had a passion for horses and their care. As an avid equestrian and Horse Show Mom, her goal
was to do everything she could to make sure their horses were healthy, happy and sound to make it through a grueling show season.
After her daughter went to college, she embarked on a journey to find alternative therapies that would help her horses maintain their soundness.
In 2018, she became a certified Magna Wave Practitioner because she believes PEMF therapy has helped her horses in so many ways, it's hard to list them all.
She started her business, A Well Integrated Equine to incorporate MagnaWave with other modalities. Things like red light therapy and the Flexineb nebulizer provide different avenues to maintain her horses well being.
Her goal at Fox River Farm is to provide an environment where each horse can thrive,
by providing their basic needs
and tailoring them to each individual animal.
And also, to create an atmosphere of sharing and learning, where riders can experience different ideas to enhance their horse-human journey.
Jenn Smith
Stable Manager
Jenn grew up in Tewksbury township and always loved horses. She rode both English and Western and loved the speed events. She would go out all day with friends and trail ride all over Tewksbury Township.
In 2009, Jenn rode with Sashi McDowell at Autumn Acres Equestrian and leased an Irish sport horse from her. In January 2010, she started working at Sue-Mar Warmbloods and that's when she found her heart horse Roxy as a 4 year old.
Jenn then made the decision to start her own business so that she could spend more time training Roxy. In April 2011, she moved to Willow Pond Farm and managed the farm for NJ Senator Robert Torricelli for 4 1/2 years. Since then, she has worked at many farms in Hunterdon County, spanning all the disciplines of dressage, hunter/ jumper and western. She enjoys managing barns and making sure everything runs smoothly and the horses are happy. She has held down the fort for owners going through surgery or called away on emergencies.
​
She has lessoned with Cindy Reasoner at CLR Stables, Peter Boglioli, Joe Williams, and Greg Eliel. She has found that the natural horsemanship techniques have gotten her horse through many challenges and understands that you never stop learning. She also enjoys hunter paces, western dressage and trail riding with Roxy, and has recently expanded her repertoire to include cow penning and sorting.
​
She has over 35 years of horse experience and has a knack for thinking outside the box. She is very interested in equine nutrition and is looking forward to getting her certificate in the future. She is also a Certified Equine Massage Therapist.
​
Jenn also lives on the property at Fox River Farm. She takes pride in knowing all the horses individually, she is very knowledgeable and detail oriented and handles the horses with confidence. We are lucky to have her on our team.
It's A Family Affair
Both Lexie and Dana will treat your horses as if they were their own.
Horses are a lifestyle that we all have chosen. We never stop learning and enjoy every minute of the journey!
These magnificent animals deserve the very best of our love and care.
We want all beings involved with our farm to enjoy the time spent together and with our animals to the fullest.
For us, horses, friends and family are what it's all about.