Meet the Trainers

Nora Harris

Nora Harris is the owner and head trainer of Nora Harris Equestrian, in Tiverton, Rhode Island. For the past decade, she has provided private training and instruction as well as lesson plans for rider development. She has successfully coached Roger Williams University Equestrian team members to IHSA Nationals in 2017 and 2018.
 
Nora graduated from Virginia Intermont College with a Bachelor's Degree in Equine Studies. While at Virginia Intermont, she was a member of the riding team that won two Intercollegiate Horse Show Association National Championships and one Intercollegiate Dressage Association National Championship. In addition, she won the IHSA Novice Flat National Championship in 2005.
 
Nora  has a Master's Degree in Equine Science from the University of Edinburgh and a Level II Certification in Hunt Seat and Dressage from the American Riding Instructor Association. She also served as Zone 1, Region 7 President of the IEA.

Rachel Pelisson 

Rachel Pelisson is the Assistant Trainer at Nora Harris Equestrian & the Assistant Coach of the Roger Williams University Equestrian Team. She teaches lessons for advanced beginner through intermediate riders.  As a junior rider, Rachel competed in eventing and dressage. As an adult, she competed on the amateur adult hunter/jumper circuit for several seasons, before turning in her amateur card to become a professional and join Nora's team as a trainer.  

In her other life, Rachel is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with her own practice, Rachel Pelisson Nutrition. She is also a Balanced Body Certified Pilates Instructor.  Rachel fell in love with Pilates after finding that it dramatically improved her riding and greatly her reduced back pain. Rachel's extensive knowledge of physiology & movement gives her a unique perspective in coaching riders on horseback. She emphasizes the importance of the mind-body connection and body awareness using unique cuing to help riders develop more effective position and aids. 

Rachel lives in Bristol, RI with her husband Tom and daughter Sophia.