Joann K. Long grew up riding in Penfield, NY, riding in 4H and local horse shows, trail riding, and enjoying the carefree days with her first Quarterhorse named "Sugar". Since then, Joann has grown her equine experience to include reining, dressage, western pleasure, search & rescue, and mounted police work.  In addition, she had the pleasure of working a cutting horse show in Idaho and riding the continental divide. Joann volunteered in mounted police work for over 12 years. Her mounted police competitions led her to winnings in Canada, Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, and New York.   She is the only volunteer to have ever earned the coveted North American Police Equestrian Championship Brigadier Memorial Champion Award.  See the extensive list of accomplishments in the Competition History & Results section in 'The Horses' link.   Joann has now focused her efforts on providing educational horsemanship through Obstacle Clinics presented by Gentle Dove Farm.

Joann's Training and Activities include:

• Toronto Police Services Training Certified.  Activities included Equitation, Troop Training in formation riding along the beach, Crowd Control, Skill at Arms, Obstacle and Sensory training, and Patrol Time with strategies for the streets, including a ride down Yonge Street.

• National Mounted Training Group, Mounted Police Certification, graduated with distinction. This course included training in equitation & formation riding, Search & Rescue, vehicle extrication, horse psychology, crowd control & psychology, arrest techniques, street sensory & obstacle training, street survival techniques, night operations, and selection of the police horse.

• Multiple Grand Championship titles at the North American Police Equestrian Championships and NYS Police Police and Fire Games, as well as local mounted police competitions.

• Mounted Police excursions riding Dillon through lower Manhattan to Ground Zero, through the battle grounds of Gettysburg, through the surf at Virginia Beach, and along the streets of downtown Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

• 12 years of NYS Volunteer Mounted Unit Training and Certification

• Numerous Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol trainings and tune-ups 

• Search and Rescue Procedures including Man Tracking, Evidence and Clue Awareness, and Map & Compass Techniques, and Grid Searching Procedures on Horseback

• John Lyons, Clinton Anderson, Patti Carter, Brian Dygert, Bonnie Miller, Dave Minteer, Karen Alexander, and Bob Dickenson horsemanship clinics/lessons.

• Last but not least, Joann has trained with the best; her mentor and hero, Sgt. James Patterson from the Toronto Police Services Mounted Division.  Jim was instrumental in showing her how mounted police training should really be done and she values the extensive expertise he shared.  He is an exceptional horseman, a true professional, and a great friend.