Melissa Davis

Melissa Davis began her riding when she was 5 years old at a local lesson barn in Chapel Hill. She grew up riding many types of horses over the years and helping around the farm at any chance she could get. “Missy” was a nickname given by her first instructor, Dana, who played a huge influence in Missy’s career. She became a confident and brave rider at a young age and was always determined to become a better rider each day. At age 12 she got her first horse, Twister, and worked at the barn in order to help pay for him. She spent hours taking care of the horses, assisting in lessons and always volunteering to ride any new horse or problematic horses. The barn bred Morgan horses and had anywhere from 15-25 horses so Missy gained a lot of knowledge and hands on experience handling and training young horses as well as working with vets and farriers. As Missy got older she started teaching lessons and helping back the young horses where she found her passion for teaching and training. She went on to manage a large lesson barn and summer camp before opening Double Take Stables in 2012. Missy had a late start to her show career as she enjoyed spending time with her horse and teaching more than showing. In 2008 she started competing more regularly and attended several local schooling hunter shows and low level eventing shows. In 2015 Missy started working with Worth a Shot Farm to back warmbloods, There she improved her training techniques and helped start many young horses undersaddle. Missy now has over 15 years of experience teaching lessons and training horses. Missy first started taking riders to horse shows in 2013. Several of our horses and riders have received year end placings and Missy has been trainer of the year at several local schooling shows. (Source)