Randi Thompson is an internationally recognized equine industry consultant, educator, speaker and expert witness with more than 45 years of experience across disciplines, facilities, and instructional programs. Her work focuses on helping horse professionals strengthen communication, consistency, decision-making, professional practices, and the experiences they create for horses and people.

Drawing on decades of hands-on experience as an instructor, clinician, evaluator, program developer, and industry leader, Randi brings practical horse-industry experience to the systems and resources she develops, the professionals and organizations she advises, and her work as an equine expert witness and litigation consultant.

A Lifetime in the Horse Industry

Randi Thompson’s career in the equine industry spans more than four decades and reflects hands-on experience across instruction, competition, program development, professional training, consulting, and industry leadership. She has worked with riders and horse professionals at every stage of development, from beginning riders through competitive riders, instructors, trainers, and other equine professionals.

Over the course of her career, Randi has trained and certified hundreds of instructors and equine professionals across multiple states and disciplines, including Dressage, Hunt Seat, Jumpers, Western, Pleasure, and Recreational Riding. Her students and professionals have gone on to earn national and regional titles, reflecting both competitive success and strong foundational development.

As founder of the Horse and Rider Awareness® Programs, Randi developed structured educational approaches focused on rider understanding, communication, decision-making, and progressive skill development. Her work has consistently explored not only what horse professionals do, but how they teach, communicate, make decisions, develop riders, and create experiences that support both horses and people.

That experience ultimately led to the creation of the Equine Safety and Success Guide™ (ESSG) and the Equine Safety and Success Network™ (ESSN), bringing decades of practical horse-industry experience into professional resources designed to strengthen communication, consistency, documentation, decision-making, and everyday practices within equine programs.

How Randi Works

Randi works with horse professionals, facility owners, program leaders, organizations, and attorneys to evaluate practices, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop practical solutions that can work in real equine operations.

Her work may include:

• Program structure and instructional practices
• Rider evaluation and horse-and-rider suitability
• Staff roles, training, and communication
• Client, rider, parent, and guest communication
• Policies, procedures, documentation, and follow-up
• Rules & Expectations and consistent professional practices
• Program development and operational decision-making
• Equine-related case review and litigation consulting

Her approach is grounded in a simple principle: good systems should support the judgment and experience of good horse professionals, not replace them.

Equine Safety and Success Network™ (ESSN)

Randi is the founder of the Equine Safety and Success Network™ (ESSN), where horse professionals are helping develop, test, and improve the Equine Safety and Success Guide™ through real-world discussion and experience.

The ESSN Pilot Program brings horse professionals together to explore everyday situations, share ideas, ask questions, work with developing ESSG resources, and help shape practical tools that can be used across different types of horse operations.

For Attorneys & Legal Professionals

Randi serves as an Equine Expert Witness and Litigation Consultant in equine-related matters. Her work may include case review and incident analysis, standard-of-care evaluation, review of operational practices and documentation, expert report preparation, deposition, and trial testimony.

Her expert work draws on more than four decades of practical experience with riders, horses, instructors, facilities, lesson programs, training programs, and other equine operations.

For Horse Professionals

Through consulting, education, the Equine Safety and Success Guide™, and the Equine Safety and Success Network™, Randi works with horse professionals who want to strengthen their programs and the experiences they create for horses and people.

Her work focuses on practical ideas that can be adapted to the realities of individual horse operations rather than expecting every facility, instructor, or program to operate in exactly the same way.

Media & Presentations

Randi has presented at the World Equestrian Games, Equine Affaire, Horse World Expo, Certified Horsemanship Association Conferences, US Pony Club National Convention, Horse Lovers Summit, and numerous other industry conferences. She has also appeared on radio shows, online platforms, podcasts, and in industry publications.

Her presentations draw from decades of experience in the horse industry and explore practical topics including teaching, communication, rider development, professional decision-making, program operations, and Creating the Experience™ for riders, families, and horse professionals.