Mari Naten

Mari Naten grew up in the rural Mid-West having a family owned stable. She moved to Utah and attend Utah State University, meeting her husband Ron. Mari was a ski racer and instructor at Park City West, Utah. While working as a dental assistant she galloped Thoroughbreds and Quarter horses at the race track in the early mornings. Galloping horses on the track lead to her developing a passion for competitive horses and she pursued her weekend career as a jockey, for her love for speed. The transfer of her husbands job soon led her to Littleton, CO. She sold real estate, rode race horses and continued her dental assistant job.

In 1980 Mari and Ron purchased her dream facility Normandy Stables, a 60 horse boarding and training facility located in Littleton, CO. Mari and Ron had two children her son, Courtney who is now a dentist in Elk Grove, CA and her daughter Jessica Naten a Dressage Trainer in Wilton, CA. Her passion for competitive equines, helped cultivate her involvement in the horse shows, education and equine community. Mari was show manager and secretary of numerous horse trials, dressage shows, and hunter jumper shows. She held a Colorado Horseman’s Association judging card. Developed an annual summer youth riding camp. Owner/ Manager of the Centennial Horse Trials and Chapter Chair for Mountain States Combined Training Association, while competing at preliminary level Three Day Eventing.

In 1996 Mari and Ron relocated to Wilton, CA purchasing what is now Pacific Equestrian Center. Mari has done an unbelievable job hosting three star Dressage shows, USDF Breed Show Championship Finals, Hunter Jumper shows, as well as hosting many FEI Clinicians, the USDF Instructors Certification programs, CDS educational programs such as the Adult Amateur and Junior/ Young riders clinics, and the USDF (L) judge program. As a breeder of Warmbloods Mari has bred and raised over 100 quality sporthorses while at PEC. Mari holds her USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medals. As one of the trainers at Pacific Equestrian Center, she currently enjoys teaching and trains a select number of quality equine prospects.

In conjunction with being an accomplished rider, trainer, and equine facility manager, Mari is also an accomplished artist. Her love for equines and animals in general has carried over in her artistic abilities. You can find her bronze and resin sculptures and reliefs on display in boutique equine shops, she also offers commissioned sculptures of your personal horse or pet.

Mari is proud to have been CDS Foothills Chapter Chair for 3 years and was awarded Best Chapter Chair of 2020. She is now serving as a CDS Executive Board Member. She is looking forward to an educational and successful year ahead. (Source)

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