Sami Malik Trainer & Rider Sami has been around horses almost her entire life. She rode at different farms growing up and learned from multiple talented trainers throughout elementary and high school. Once a senior in high school Blue Skies was formed out of Pine Acres, a Girl Scout camp. She began teaching professionally as a sophomore in college and has enjoyed it thus far. Sami has always been passionate about students having correct, safe, and educated riding skills. She has taught students from their first rides on a horse through the age group equitation, child/adult hunters, pony hunters, and child/adult jumpers. Sami loves to spread her passion of horseback riding and help her students reach their personal goals in riding. Sami brings along green horses, especially off the track thoroughbreds; many of the horses she has been successful on or brought students along with, have been thoroughbreds. Students have been successful at the local and national level; students have qualified for local and national medal finals. Even though Sami enjoys teaching and training, she especially enjoys participating in clinics with top professionals. Some of the professionals Sami has participated in clinics with include, George Morris, Frank Madden, Rob Gage, Bernie Traurig, Greg Best, and many others. Sami worked as an assistant trainer and rider in 2016/2017 for Heather Steinman of HMS Stables in Canton, Georgia. Continued education is important as a trainer; Sami regularly lessons with Jorge Ludwig, a Grand Prix rider and trainer from California. Sami also sits on the Georgia Hunter Jumper Association board of directors.
Aj Martin Barn Manager Aj has been with Blue Skies since 2011 as the barn manager for our farm. Aj has over 30 years experience in the horse industry, including working for many different farms some of which involved, english show barns, race horses, and western horses. Aj comes with a wealth of knowledge in the equine world including barn management, equine medical experience, injury rehabilitation, hauling services, and more. Aj is in an invaluable part of our team who lives on property, caring for the horses 24/7. She is always planning out our vet and farrier schedules to make sure each of the horses are kept up with accordingly. Aj manages our working students schedules and also facilitates scheduling for first time riders with our trainers.