Mrs. Dot Graves was born in upstate NY. Being around horses are some of her first memories on her family’s small-town farm. In her late teens, she left the family farm, yet searched for a way back to horses. Skidmore College in Saratoga New York was her first real job with horses. She worked alongside Ralph Symmes and John Blair until they departed the college. Afterwards, she went to work at Hurdle Hill farms where she met Debbie Shaffner (Stephens). Mrs. Dot began traveling with them to the horse show circuits and discovered her love for Florida. 

She settled in Dunedin near the Tampa Bay area. Her love of horses continued, and she found a small barn with a few boarders. Initially, most of her students had little to no knowledge of the horse world. It wasn’t long before she had more students and a full barn. She competed at local and rated shows and held riding clinics. She welcomed trainers such as Ronnie Much, Ann Thall, Debbie Stephens and Robert Robold. They attended outside clinics as well, including one with Greg Best.

She and her daughter, Tiffany, have continued teaching at Countryside Hunters. Together they continue with wonderful new students and their horses at the brand-new Razorback Equestrian Center. The barn competes at local and rated shows, and she is loving training as much as ever.

Although most of her time is spent with the horses and students, she also has a small custom cake business that allows her love for art and creativity to thrive.