Hierbij enkel de meest memorabele hoogtepunten:
Joan groeide op in California en begon met western riding toen ze 7 jaar oud was. Op haar 9e begon ze met Hunter-Jumper Equitation wedstrijden and op haar 15e verhuisde ze naar New York, om daar te trainen met Judy Richter. Ze won Junior Jumper Champion of the Florida Circuit, Junior Jumper Champion en Best Child Rider Title at Devon Horse Show, Champion Jr. Hunter OxRidge Horse show, Winnaar van de USA national finals in equitation- USHJA Medal FInals in 1980. Vanaf haar 17e heeft ze altijd getraind met George Morris. 

Van 1985 tot 1995 was ze lid van het US Equestrian Team en was ze winnaar van de Nations Cups: Hickstead, Aachen, Copenhagen, Calgary, Washington, New York, and Toronto; Winner of the Nations Cup Final in Lanaken. Ze was ook "Member of the World Equestrian Games" team in Stockholm, World Cup winnaar Harrisburg, Winnaar of 5* grand Prix in Chaudfontaine en Winnaar van de Lufthansa Trophy Wiesbaden.

‘My own background in hunter-jumper equitation taught me all the skills needed for top level competition and I am constantly relying on these same basic principles when teaching students of all levels. I would like to share this knowledge with all riders who are interested in learning these skills to become effective compassionate riders no matter what their objectives may be. Implementing the “less is more” concept that is at the heart of the Hunter Jumper Equitation Holland will give many more riders and horses the chance to shine.

I have lived in the Netherlands for 31 years and look forward to giving something back and I am thankful for HJEH for making this possible.”