Carefree Farms ~ Our Instructors and Trainers
Carefree Farms is the home of a few fabulous independent trainers/instructors that create a unique team that work together creating a safe and fun learning environment for all ages and levels of riders! We specialize in Eventing, Dressage and Show Jumping - Our mission is create an independant rider that can enjoy their horse in any setting, whether in the show ring or just learning the ropes!
You can schedule a lesson here!
Alice Sarno, Desert Sport Horse
USEA Level III Certified Trainer, Instructor and Event Organizer
Alice started the love affair with 3 Day Eventing in the late 1960’s and has been teaching, competing and training ever since. As owner of Desert Sport Horse She has brought up generations of riders into eventing and maintains relationships with them. Alice has a true love and passion of the sport. Alice organizes numerous schooling shows, unrecognized horse trials, and derbies at Carefree Farms. Alice is also the organizer for Coconino Horse Trials in Flagstaff, AZ. In addition to that Alice has been honored with several national awards in the USEA and donates her time and energy to the same governing body serving on the Board of Governors. Alice has a few school horses that are available for le
Laura Borghesani
Coach, Trainer and Barn Manager
Laura has a long career in working with horses and riders in many aspects - She started riding at an young age Saddleseat/Driving - 15 years' experience with Morgans and before that - 4-H and Junior Horsemanship.Laura began Three-day Eventing/Dressage in 1999 - working alongside Alice. Laura has competed up to Intermediate Level.As Barn Manager at the ranch Laura is working with a small group of riders and horses with an emphasis of building confidence for both, using Pressure Proof Mental Coaching techniques.Laura also organizes clinics, educational activities.
Laura Bentley
Trainer and Instructor
Laura Bentley, born and raised in Mexico, from a true equestrian family, daughter of two Olympic candidates Jesus Quijano for the Mexican team in the Rusia Olympic Games in 1980 and Lois Rabjohn for the American team.Raised in an equestrian environment, Laura started her riding career early and started showing at age 5 in jumpers across Mexico and later, as an adult, showed in the jumpers in the US and started to develop a few horses in dressage.Laura holds 12 National Championship Gold medals, 8 Silver and 11 Bronze, jumping in a variety of categories of jumpers, from 1.20 m, the 5 year old classic, to CSI 5* 1.50 m and winning bronze in the first ever held Longines World Cup in Mexico City 2017 in the 1.45 m category.In 2021 Laura moved from Mexico to Arizona to persue her training passion and developing new skills in both jumping as well as dressage. Laura is developing her equestrian knowledge and hoping to get better as a trainer and professional rider. She loves starting young horses with a compassionate approach.
Michell Combs
Michell Combs is a USEF 'r' Dressage judge and 'R' Western Dressage judge. As she continues to work on her judge license promotion, she coaches and rides as part of the team at Carefree Farms. She also coaches private clients and teaches dressage clinics in the Texas/New Mexico areas. Accomplishments include earning her USDF bronze, silver and gold rider medals. Michell's ridden two horses in competition at Grand Prix dressage. She has been FEI and second level rider of the year and has won third and fourth level State Championships. Michell is on the Arizona Dressage Association's board of directors. She also has a "side gig" as an executive director of a local equine publishing company. Michell has a busy schedule, but she is available to coach and train.