Two Tales Stables

 Meet our instructors!

Kaijsa Dignam

Owner/Head Instructor and Trainer

Kaijsa is an experienced rider, having shown up to Second Level Dressage and Prelim Eventing.  She also does Western Sports and Pleasure riding.  She has numerous awards for eventing and dressage. She trained with Carol Bishop and Susan Selvey.  Interned at a Breeding Selle Francais barn. She was an exercise rider for 5 years at a local racetrack.  She is Certified through the Pony Club and insured.  Kaijsa also runs a horse rescue out of Two Tales Stables, follow her on Facebook here

Jen Givens- Instructor

“I started riding when I was 9 years old and have been loving it and learning ever since! I have ridden primarily English and have competed in several small shows throughout my life just to measure my own progression, but I much prefer the riding for myself and fun aspect. I started teaching riding lessons as a teenager and have loved seeing the passion for horses in my many students grow as they learn. As a beginner-intermediate riding instructor, I focus on the necessary basics and fundamentals that will then translate to any discipline the student wants to pursue and I enjoy helping the students explore those disciplines. I also am a firm believer in working with the horse as a partner, so I emphasize mindsets that influence how the horse reacts to the rider. I have dabbled in many disciplines, some more extensively than others, ranging from basic hunter jumper to low level dressage to western pleasure and the basics of western speed events, but my favorite remains trail riding. But, I am always willing to learn, try new things, and to take opportunities to better my riding and my knowledge. I also have degrees in psychology and education, with several years of classroom teaching experience so those definitely have a huge impact when it comes to teaching riding as well as working with the horses. When I'm not at the barn, I enjoy playing with my dogs and cats and watching movies or spending time with my husband.”

Christin Hess-Instructor

Christin was born and raised in Summerville, SC and fell in love with horses at 8 years old when she had her first equestrian summer camp at Middleton Plantation followed by many years of instruction at former local Arabian barn, Black Bottom Stables. While learning the English discipline at Black Bottom Christin also became a part of their Equestrian Vaulting team and competed throughout the southeast. Christin continued to ride and compete in the green pony divisions with her Arabian mare as well as obstacles and other 4H and breed specific shows into high school. During Christin’s later high school and college years she took time off to focus on academics and has since been working as a Registered Nurse, gotten married, and had two children.

In 2018 Christin’s daughter Rowan started riding lessons and much to her surprise, Christin ended up in the saddle again. Over the years Christin and her daughter have had the opportunity to train under 2* and 4* Eventers, USDF, Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medalists, as well as National USPC examiners and clinicians. 

As an instructor, Christin focuses on developing a strong foundation in flatwork and teaching horse safety from the ground up. She enjoys teaching all aspects of horse care and management to help prepare and educate students and their families on how to be a responsible equestrian in and out of the saddle.

Hannah Ehinger-Instructor

Hannah grew up in the Rochester, NY area and began riding in 2001. She started her junior career in dressage, training for six years under a Grand Prix dressage rider. During that time, she was entrusted with starting and bringing along a four-year-old horse, guiding it successfully up the levels.

In 2007, Hannah transitioned to the hunter/jumper discipline, competing primarily in the Child/Adult Hunter Division and occasionally venturing into the jumper ring. After a few injuries, she stepped away from riding for a time, but her passion brought her back in 2020, when she began training with an eventing instructor — and she hasn’t looked back since.

Today, Hannah owns two horses at Two Tales, including a yearling she bred in 2024. As an instructor, she focuses on building solid fundamentals to create strong, independent riders. She especially enjoys working with students who are eager to learn how to jump, guiding them to develop confidence, technique, and a true partnership with their horses. Hannah takes pride in equipping her students with the skills to ride a wide range of horses successfully.

Instructors that travel in monthly (sometimes more than monthly) to teach:

Kathryn Butt, Sandra Bussey Turner, and Amelia Main

Please reach out for contact information!