LIFE BEYOND FIRST CLASS
DESIGN & ARCHTIECTURE
THE HORSE
OF A
LIFETIME
At Horse of My Dreams, matching
families with the perfect horse is more
than a sale—it’s a finely tuned, heartfelt
process built on trust, craftsmanship, and
two decades of equestrian wisdom.
KATHERINE GANNON
When it comes to horses, Alisha Jacuzzi doesn’t believe in shortcuts. She believes in trust, temperament, and the kind of intuition that can only be shaped by years in the saddle. What began as a deeply personal mission—to find the right pony for her daughter—has grown into Horse of My Dreams, a nationally recognized name in equestrian matchmaking, where the horses are real, the expectations are high, and every match is made with care.
“I saw what was out there,” Alisha recalls. “So many ponies were being misrepresented. I didn’t want my daughter’s first horse to be something she feared—I wanted her to fall in love with riding.” That first pony, Stormy, is still with the family 23 years later. And the philosophy that started with him—patience, transparency, and a deep understanding of horse psychology—still underpins every horse they sell today.
Unlike traditional sales barns or impersonal auctions, Horse of My Dreams begins with the rider. Through a detailed questionnaire and often hours of conversation, Jacuzzi and her team dig deep to understand the rider’s needs, goals, and level of experience. From there, a horse is selected not just for its appearance or accolades, but for its mindset. “A beautiful coat doesn’t matter if the horse doesn’t have the brain or heart for the job,” she explains.
Each horse in their program undergoes rigorous evaluation—not just physically, but mentally. They’re tested on everything from crossing bridges and navigating obstacles to calmly accepting tarps, flags, and even farm equipment. This is about more than training—it’s about exposure, confidence-building, and ensuring the horse enjoys working with people. “We’re looking for horses with the personality of a golden retriever,” Jacuzzi laughs. “The kind that runs to you in the pasture, not away from you.”
The horses, most often registered Quarter Horses, Paints, or increasingly, Gypsy Vanners, are handpicked and honed until they’re ready for a new home. And when they are, Horse of My Dreams offers more than just a handoff—they deliver a full experience. From handling all shipping logistics to providing personalized guidance on riding, acclimation, and tack, the support continues well after the horse leaves the barn. “It’s a lifestyle, not a hobby,” Jacuzzi says. “We’re here to help people embrace that lifestyle with confidence.”
For first-time buyers, the process is particularly reassuring. From selecting the right horse to setting up the stable, Jacuzzi walks them through every detail. And when fears arise—like they did for one woman recovering from a traumatic riding injury—the team takes the time to restore trust. “We didn’t just find her a horse,” Jacuzzi recalls. “We helped her fall in love with riding again.”
Looking forward, Horse of My Dreams continues to innovate, working on an AI-driven algorithm to help match riders with horses more efficiently. But no matter how advanced the tools become, the heart of the business will always be the same: thoughtful pairing, honest conversation, and an unshakable belief in the healing, joyful bond between horse and human.
“We don’t just want our clients to love their horses,” Jacuzzi says. “We want them to love the journey.”