Experienced staff and accomplished trainers<
Lesson Program Director/Instructor
Monique Rideau grew up riding in Houston, Texas, and attended Sweet
Briar College as a scholar-athlete, competing on the IHSA equestrian
team. During her collegiate career, she trained under respected horseman
Paul Cronin and Olympic gold medalist and legendary show jumper Joe
Fargis, building the foundation for a lifelong career in the hunter/jumper
industry.
Following college, Monique continued her competitive career as an
amateur under trainer Holly Shepherd, earning numerous state, zone,
and national championships in the jumper ring. After Holly’s relocation,
she began training with renowned horseman and USEF judge Shane
George, who introduced her to Westcliffe, the horse of a lifetime.
Westcliffe went on to earn multiple USEF Horse of the Year honors and
national accolades.
With more than 30 years of experience in the equestrian industry,
Monique has dedicated her career to developing riders and building
successful programs. She launched the inaugural summer camp program
at Augusta Pines Farm (APF), a success that led to her being selected to
design and implement the farm’s lesson program. Under her leadership,
the program has grown into one of the premier lesson programs in the
region, recognized for its structured curriculum, exceptional instruction,
and consistent development of riders from their first lessons through the competitive show ring.
An Austin native, Grace Crawford began riding at the age of seven. Her foundation was shaped by a horse-first philosophy that values correct fundamentals, respect for the horse, patience, consistency, and thoughtful progression. She continues to apply these principles to help horses and riders reach their full potential and to prepare horse-and-rider partnerships for long-term success.
Grace was recruited to ride for Savannah College of Art and Design’s national title-winning equestrian team, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Equestrian Studies with a minor in Business. While riding for SCAD, she also competed on their American National Riding Commission (ANRC) team, where she won the 2019 Individual National Equitation Championship and was part of the Team National Championship titles in 2017 and 2019. In 2021, she was one of 16 selected to ride in the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session, further refining her skills among top professionals in the industry.
As a young professional, Grace has hands-on experience managing and operating successful programs, training horses across a range of levels, and developing riders from their foundations through competition. Her coaching style emphasizes correct position, effectiveness, and feel, while cultivating a safe, fun, and supportive learning environment. She is dedicated to her continued growth as both a rider and trainer, and to guiding her students toward achieving their goals with confidence and success.
Kersten Levine serves as Head Trainer at Augusta Pines Farm in Spring, Texas, a premier 33-acre hunter/jumper facility near The Woodlands. She brings more than 25 years of professional experience in the hunter/jumper industry as a rider, trainer, and coach.
A lifelong horsewoman, Kersten developed her foundation under the guidance of her mother, Marleta Lillejord, at Cameron Equestrian Center, as well as Greg Best, Britt McCormick, and Dale Pederson. These formative experiences helped shape the horsemanship, discipline, and work ethic that continue to define her training program today.
An accomplished competitor, Kersten has successfully competed at the Grand Prix jumper level and in National and International Hunter Derbies. She remains an active presence in the show ring and has produced numerous horses from birth through competition, giving her a comprehensive understanding of every stage of a horse’s development and the patience required to create lasting success.
Known for her meticulous attention to detail and strong technical foundation, Kersten is passionate about teaching riders of all ages and experience levels. Her instruction emphasizes correct fundamentals, technical proficiency, confidence, and the progressive development of both horse and rider. Throughout her career, she has guided students from their first lessons to the highest levels of the sport, including the Grand Prix ring and top hunter and equitation competition.
At Augusta Pines Farm, Kersten remains committed to developing exceptional horses and riders through a program built on horsemanship, professionalism, and a genuine passion for teaching.