About the trainer

My name is Maddison Lyons, I’m a Lifelong Phoenix Native and animal lover from day one.

I knew I wanted to help people and animals when I grew up from a young age. I volunteered at animal rescues and did riding lessons and dog agility training throughout my childhood. In my teenage years, My parents leased me horses as I got in to running barrels and poles and competing in gymkhanas. Soon, my drive to be at the barn was enough to justify buying my very first horse, an AQHA Gelding named Valentine.

I started doing chores at my barn for a board discount, which quickly became my very first internship at only 16. I had opted to get my GED, so I spent every day at the barn for hours, soaking in all the information i could and working with horses of all breeds, temperaments, and training levels. I worked under a local legend in the barrel world named Cristal Logan. Her advise and guidance took me from a rider who ‘could’ ride, to someone who effectively communicates and improves any horse I ride. In 3 short years, I earned my way from doing chores, to taking on my own project horses and managing the barn sole charge.

In Summers from 2020- 2023 I was a Wrangler for Horsemanship based programs. It was here I learned of my talent and love for comprehensive instructing and coaching (and my collection of snazzy button-ups started) . We worked using methods from Ray Hunt, Buck Brannaman , and other bridle horse experts. During the winters, I continued internships and working student programs and started up True Passion Horsemanship.

For years I was a trainer for other peoples programs, but became frustrated. I felt a lot of them lacked a ‘spark’ I had seen with professionals I’d worked with in the past. Some programs rushed training, some made promises they couldn’t deliver on, and some just simply didn’t have trainers with a drive to improve continuously. I wanted to be the change I so desperately looked for in big programs, I wanted to provide honest, patient, and ever-improving results to horse lovers who felt as I did. I want my horses to enjoy my company, and I want to be able to accomplish great things alongside them. I don’t want gimmicks, ‘methods’ , or empty inspiration. I think Horsemanship is about more than getting a horse to do what we want, it’s about communication and the bond we share with our horses.

True Passion Horsemanship was founded because I believe in good Horsemanship above all else. I’ve ran Barrels and Poles, done Classical Dressage and Working Equitation, dabbled in Eventing and rode endless ranch miles. In every single arena, across US states and riding different disciplines, I take my knowledge of biomechanics and equine behavior with me. With every horse I’ve impacted, from Spanish Imports to BLM Mustangs, knowledge, patience and honest Horsemanship have yet to fail me.

I do everything with a horse first mindset. If it’s not helpful for the horse, it simply won’t be part of my program. I’ve found that success with horses is only possible when we work with them, instead of wanting them to work for us. Simply put: working with horses is much more than just riding around for me!