Instructors
Instructors at Kootenai Creek Equestrian Center
Malika B. Coston & Mirosa
Malika B. Coston, Riding Instructor, is an accomplished internationally renowned classical horsewoman, trainer and instructor and has over 26 years of training and teaching experience in all riding disciplines. Malika has trained and studied with her father, horseman and Native American scholar Joseph E. Brown, and respected riding instructors including Monte Foreman, Wendy Murdoch, Larry Bailey, Pat Wyse, Blaire Allen and Harry Whitney. At an early age, Malika proved to have an innate ability to communicate with the horse, and has since used her gift to train both horse and rider to achieve optimum performance and harmony. Malika combines Classical and Natural Horsemanship to promote heightened awareness and intuitive communication between horse and rider. Her unique technique has proven itself time and again in her students and horses who have excelled in regional and National Shows of all breeds and riding styles. Malika has received numerous awards, including Top Ten National Sport Horse Champion, and currently teaches and trains at Kootenai Creek Equestrian Center in Stevensville, Montana, and conducts clinics throughout the U.S.A., and Europe. Malika continues to use the Montana equestrian center as an opportunity for discovery and application of her philosophy and techniques to all riding disciplines, including endurance, trail riding, dressage, jumping, showing and western styles such as reining and barrel racing. Malika’s expert instruction will complement and enhance all riding styles and programs to meet individual goals. Read Quotes from Malika Coston’s clients..
Veronica Brown, Yoga Instructor and Healing Bodywork Internationally renowned in the healing arts, Veronica Brown is a certified yoga instructor, Reiki Master and Harmonium Healer (energy work). Her practice also includes Sports Massage, Thai Yogassage, reflexology and remote healing. Using her intuitive healing gifts, Veronica locates and dissolves stress, thereby activating the natural healing process. Veronica has taught Kundalini Yoga over 15 years, for private clients, workshops and at Angel City Yoga in L.A. Many of her students are now successful teachers. Clients that have experienced Veronica’s healing magic include: Demi Moore and family, Christina Aguilera, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), Ariana Huffington, Mick Jagger, Kanye West, Rivers Cuomo (Weezer) and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, with whom she tours regularly. A native Montanan, Veronica divides her time between her practice in Santa Monica CA, Montana, traveling for clients and conducting yoga retreats. Veronica joyfully teams up with her sister, Malika Coston to conduct Yoga Ride retreats, which are designed to unifiy the elements of both intuitive natural horsemanship and healing Yoga/bodywork to achieve a higher level of confidence, centeredness and deeper connection/relationship with the horse and rider. Read quotes from Veronica’s clients…
Marina Weatherly is a professional artist, dancer and educator. Marina has a BFA in Visual Arts from the University of Montana and an MFA in Fiber Arts from Arizona State University. Marina has exhibited her Tapestries and paintings on silk nationwide and has created commissions for both public and private spaces. Her work is inspired by the beauty and spirit of the natural world. Marina has been artistic director and designer for film, theater and dance performances. She is also a writer and editor of several publications, including editing books by her late father, Joseph E, Brown. Marina has taught visual arts and dance to all ages in Universities, public schools, private studios and workshops for over twenty years. In answer to her commitment toward a wider acceptance of art in everyday life, Marina founded a program “Learning Through the Arts”, which strives to integrate the performing and visual arts into schools and communities by placing art at the heart of learning. Marina is Artist in Residence at Stevensville and Lone Rock Elementary Schools in the Bitterroot Valley and is on the Montana Arts Council’s Artist in Schools and Communities Roster and is available for residencies and workshops. Marina is co-founder and art instructor of Kootenai Creek Ranch Summer Day Camp where she incorporates visual expression with equitation themes. Read more about Marina’s art programs, residencies and workshops: Marina Weatherly, Montana Arts Council Registry
Elenita Brown has taught dance and performed professionally for over 40 years. She is internationally trained and has studied and performed dance at the British Royal Academy of Dance in Argentina, the Ecole de Ballet du Theatre in Switzerland, as well as in France, Spain, Sweden, England and New York City. Elenita has taught in Universities and private schools and has been director of numerous studios. She has been guest teacher and choreographer for numerous workshops and companies. Elenita enjoys teaching all dance styles to all ages including Ballet, Character, Jazz, African, Modern, Creative Movement and Spanish/Flamenco. Original founder of Kootenai Creek Ranch, with her husband the late Joseph E. Brown, Elenita teaches year- round at her studio, Elenita Brown Dance, in Stevensville, and Missoula, Montana. She is the dance and drama instructor for Kootenai Creek Ranch Summer Day Camp, where she incorporates movement, acting, music and poetry, which benefits the whole person as well as the student rider. Elenita believes that dance is an exciting world of movement, expression, music, and performance, and looks forward to sharing this experience with all of her students.
