About Defiance Farm Horses
Born and raised in Aspen, our name honors the region’s original title for this valley — Defiance, and the rugged spirit that has shaped the Colorado West. Now located in Loveland, Colorado, we continue our lineage while honoring our roots.
Defiance, like the untamed strength of a wild horse, represents fiery passion, unwavering courage, and the enduring grit that fuels our loyalty and commitment to every horse we work with.
About Our Team
Julie Haugen
Julie has spent a lifetime working with horses, growing up on more than 200 acres in the Snowmass Valley and building over 40 years of professional experience training beginners and supporting intermediate and advanced riders. She has taught riding, horsemanship, and dressage clinics across Montana, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, and throughout Colorado’s Front Range and Western Slope, with more than a decade dedicated to leading specialized horsemanship and dressage clinics.
Julie approaches every horse with deep respect for their size, power, and sensitivity, understanding that clear communication and thoughtful handling can shape a rider’s confidence for a lifetime. She is passionate about helping riders build trust, avoid fear-based setbacks, and discover lasting joy in owning, training, and working with horses.
Credentials & Certifications
United States Equestrian Federation
- English Dressage – USEF ‘r’ Dressage Judge
- Western Dressage – USEF R Western Dressage Judge
- Morgan Horses / Show Pleasure – USEF ‘r’ Judge
Whitney Haugen
Whitney has worked with horses her entire life and brings more than a decade of professional experience supporting training, soundness, and rehabilitation programs. Her strengths lie in carefully assessing each horse’s physical condition, movement, and overall health, and guiding both horses and people through thoughtful, well-paced rehabilitation that supports long-term success.
Whitney is deeply fulfilled by helping injured or struggling horses return to comfort, confidence, and usefulness. She is passionate about building safe, steady foundations for grassroots and basic skill development—creating a clear path for horses and riders to progress naturally into higher-level and show environments.
Our Story
Our story began in the pioneering spirit of the West, when our family matriarch arrived in the Roaring Fork Valley in the 1960s. She laid deep roots in Aspen and Snowmass, passing down a profound love for the Colorado landscape and for horses—especially Morgans. For more than 40 years, we have carried that legacy forward as horse trainers, building meaningful relationships with horses and the families who love them, grounded in care, tradition, and trust across the mountains of Colorado.
Our Core Values
At Defiance Farm Horses, our mission is to guide riders and horses—at every level, from first-time owners to advanced show environments—through thoughtful training, instruction, and rehabilitation rooted in clear communication, compassion, and respect. We believe every horse deserves to be understood, and every rider deserves the confidence and skills to build a safe, lasting partnership.
Honesty
We communicate honestly with both horse and rider—reading what the horse is truly expressing and teaching riders to respond with clear, fair, and consistent cues.
Loyalty
We remain deeply committed to each horse’s long-term well-being, building trust through steady relationships that honor the horse as a partner, not just a performer.
Commitment
Progress in training and rehabilitation comes from showing up with patience and consistency, even when the work is slow, challenging, or uncomfortable.
Having Fun
We believe joy and curiosity create better learners—horses and humans alike—making training an experience that builds confidence rather than pressure.
Enjoying the Process
We focus on the small wins and daily communication between horse and rider, knowing that true connection and lasting results are built step by step.
Overcoming Fears
We create a supportive environment where riders can acknowledge fear without judgment, learning how to work through it calmly so both horse and human feel safe, understood, and empowered.