Jody Marken

Jody Marken is the owner and operator of Two Spruce Farm, where she provides horsemanship and groundwork lessons, basic jumping instruction, and offers various clinics designed to help people build confident, respectful partnerships with their horses. Through her welcoming program, Jody has helped riders of many backgrounds safely enter and grow within the equestrian community while developing stronger communication and understanding with their horses.

A lifelong student of the horse, Jody continually studies and applies new approaches to communicate with horses and enhance rider development. She credits many respected trainers and clinicians for shaping her perspective and fueling her commitment to learning and its application.

Jody’s experience spans multiple equestrian disciplines, including hunter/jumper, dressage, and eventing, and being involved in various Western disciplines. She has spent decades working with horses in both competitive and practical environments, always guided by the fundamentals of good horsemanship. She has developed her personal horses, Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, into versatile partners. Today, she enjoys working with and caring for her four horses and a few others at Two Spruce Farm.

Known for her thoughtful and patient teaching style, Jody focuses on helping riders enjoy and improve their relationships/partnerships with their horses. Her popular obstacle clinics emphasize building trust and enhancing communication to shape a calm, responsive horse, both in and out of the arena. Jody’s background as a physical therapist also brings valuable insight into rider balance and body awareness.

Jody is a licensed USEF “r” judge for Hunters and Hunt Seat Equitation and believes that understanding the judge’s perspective helps riders develop stronger skills and confidence in the ring.

In addition to her work teaching people and their horses, Jody has long supported the equestrian community. She founded the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center in 1980 and continues to support organizations such as the Retired Racehorse Project and other initiatives dedicated to horse welfare and opportunity.

Jody serves on the Advisory Committee for the Colorado State University Equine Sciences Program and was honored with the 2024 Colorado Hunter Jumper Association Lifetime Contribution Award.

"Although you can’t go back and make a brand new start,
you can start from now and make a brand new ending.”