Joan Bolton began her dressage career at 16 years-old, competing at the Grand Prix eighteen years later. She has worked with her first dressage coach, Sandy Howard, since 1980, and continues to hold regular clinics with Sandy at Santa Fe Horse Park, New Mexico's premier equestrian facility and the new home of Joan Bolton Dressage.

She has also continued working with Olympic Medalist Guenter Seidel since 1992, when she competed with her first FEI horse. She has had the privilege of competing with many well-trained horses throughout the years, such as: "Epernay" in The Pan Am Selection Trials; and, for three years with "Aristocrat" at the Grand Prix Level . Joan is a U.S.D.F. Gold Medalist & U.S.D.F. Silver Medalist (U.S.D.F. Member #52940) and multiple Region 5 Champion, and was short listed for the Pan American Games and 2000 Olympics.