As an Educator, Jo has conducted workshops for riding instructors across the United States, since 1989.  She teaches riders at home and travels to conduct riding clinics in jumping and dressage.  She has logged over 15,000 hours teaching riding, over 2,500 teaching curricula for instructors and well over 20,000 hours in the saddle herself.

Jo holds an M.A. in Education with an emphasis in Equestrian Studies (1986) and a B.S. in Equestrian Studies graduating magna cum laude (1986).  Both degrees are from Salem College (now Salem International University).  She earned a Riding Master diploma from Meredith Manor School of Horsemanship (now Meredith International Equestrian Centre), where she was named Who's Who List for Outstanding Students in American Vocational and Technical Schools (1975).

As a Rider, Competitor and Athlete, Jo has trained and competed through the Advanced Level in Eventing. In Dressage she has trained horses above the Prix St. Georges Level.  She has earned the USDF Bronze and Silver Medal Rider Awards.  Jo also has experience with show hunters, show jumpers, fox hunters, western and saddleseat.  Her mounted equestrian education has been principally from Kay Meredith, Bobo Hangen and Jessica Ransehousen in Dressage; Toni Flowers, Eliot Abhau, James Wofford, Karen O'Conner and Torrance Watkins in Eventing; Marvin Hoyle, Col. John Russel and Anne Kursinski in Show Jumping.

As an Administrator, Jo was formerly the Dean of Meredith Manor School of Horsemanship, 1981-1985.  She has a strong professional background in teacher education, program administration and curriculum development.  While teaching at this internationally known school for 10 years, she focused on the development of the jumping and teaching departments.

As a former Vice President of the United States Combined Training Association (Education VP), Jo served on the board of governors from 1985-1990 and the executive committee from 1988-1990.  During her tenure, she developed the AHSA-USCTA.  Combined Training Officials seminars as well as many educational seminars for the member ship.  The first USCTA Event College was held during her term of leadership.  In 1988, she received the USCTA's Governor's Cup Award for outstanding contributions to the sport of Eventing.