New England Dressage Association

NEDA Education - Flextime

DETAILED BIOGRAPHIES OF INSTRUCTORS

2010 NEDA Flextime Instructor Biographies:

Jane Ashley - Windsor, VT. Jane has performed successfully in three-day events, competitive trail rides, and dressage competitions. In dressage, she has trained several horses to Grand Prix level. She has earned USDF bronze and silver medals. In recent years she has worked principally with well-known trainer Pam Goodrich. She is a USEF “r” judge. Jane teaches all levels. Her teaching focus is on the basics: developing a horse’s balance and gaits with emphasis on straightness and suppleness; improving a rider’s position and use of seat to ensure correct and effective application of aids. Stabling may be available.

Madeleine Austin – Williston, VT. Madeleine Austin trains horses and riders up to Grand Prix at her farm, Imajica. From an early show jumping and eventing background, she has been a dressage professional for nearly thirty years. She has won USDF awards at all levels, always on horses she trained from the beginning. One of her strengths is the ability to teach riders how to feel what is correct so as to develop a harmonious partnership with their horses. She believes that the fundamentals of dressage will make any horse or rider better able to enjoy and excel in whatever discipline they may choose. Stabling is available.

Joy Bahniuk – Harvard, MA. Joy is the owner and trainer of Cadence Farm, Harvard, Massachusetts. She is an avid and successful competitor on the USDF Region 8 circuit, qualifying many horses and riders for the regional finals. This year she’ll be competing one of her horses at first and second level and her second horse at Prix St George. Joy has started horses from three years old and trained them up to the FEI levels. She has also trained and coached young riders from walk-trot to become successful FEI junior and young riders, most notably her daughter, Mary Bahniuk Lauritsen. In 2008, Joy coached her daughter Mary at the USEF National Equitation Finals, Chicago, Illinois and Dressage at Devon in the FEI Young Rider Division. Joy regularly works with Kathy Connelly and Lendon Gray, attends educational seminars and clinics. She is also actively involved with the USDF, as a delegate for region 8 and holds a USDF bronze medal. Joy enjoys working with riders of all levels and all types of horses. Please visit her website: www.CadenceFarmInc.com Stabling is available.
Marie Louise Barrett – Sudbury, MA. Mary Louise has been a dressage instructor for twenty-five years. She has competed in the New England region through Intermediare I and is currently showing two horses, both at upper levels. Mary Louise studied for many years with Sue Blinks, and now clinics with Chris Hickey and Shannon Dueck. She enjoys teaching amateurs, juniors and young riders, and is comfortable teaching at all levels. As an instructor, she focuses on finding ease with the horse through correct seat position, accuracy of the aids, and adhering to the classic training scale.

Beth Baumert – Columbia, CT. Beth Baumert operates Cloverlea Farm where she trains horses and riders from training level through Grand Prix. The family farm has been a dressage training facility for 37 years. Beth is a USDF Certified Instructor through fourth level and an “L” graduate with distinction from the USDF judging program. Beth was the initial editor for Dressage Today magazine and has served as their technical editor for fifteen years. In that capacity, she is in constant contact with the best dressage riders in the world as they discuss and write about our sport. For The Dressage Foundation, she has administered the FEI Young Rider Olympic Dream Program for eight years. Cloverlea Farm has a strong young rider program, and Beth has served as the chair of the USDF Junior/Young Rider Program. Stabling is available.

Verne Batchelder – Piermont, NH. Verne Batchelder approaches dressage instruction with an articulate, technical, yet compassionate system. Verne transfers to his students the ability to be patient and persistent in their training with their horses. He is quick to provide his students with training exercises so they are less likely to take it personally when all does not go well. He is comfortable teaching riders of all ages and aspirations. He, along with his wife and two daughters operate River House Hanoverians with a farm in NH and another in Florida. In the last five years they have produced five horses that have competed at Grand Prix and three horses that have qualified for the FEI Young Horse Championships. They have imported over 200 Hanoverians from Germany and produced twice that amount domestically from their own mares and stallions. His student base includes a wide variety of riders from those motivated by showing to those who just enjoy the training process and choose not to show. Stabling is available.

Beth Beukema – Rehoboth, MA. Beth is the Director of the Center for Equine Studies at Johnson and Wales University. She holds an “R” judge’s license in Dressage and has competed through Intermediare. Beth is a graduate of the Eckart Meyners’ Balance in Motion program and incorporates some of these techniques into her teaching. Through mounted and unmounted exercises, efficient results can be obtained in training the rider to move with the horse’s oscillations and develop harmony with the horse. Beth particularly enjoys working with riders on the development of the seat and the correct use of the aids. Students preparing for the show season may wish to practice a dressage test and work on portions of the test that need development. Lessons are available at Johnson and Wales Equine Center or she can travel to your farm within one hour of Rehoboth, MA. Summer is the best time for availability. Stabling is not available. School horses may be available.

Rita Brown – Kingston, MA. Rita Brown is the resident trainer year round at beautiful Longmeadow Farm in Scituate, Mass. She holds her L judge’s card and is a USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist. Rita’s students have competed successfully from training level to I2 and she is an active competitor on her horses as well as clients’. Rita enjoys teaching all levels of riders and horses. Many of her regular students have earned their bronze and silver medals as well as yearend awards. Stabling is available.

Roberta ‘Bobbi’ Carleton – Salisbury, CT. Bobbi Carleton is a USDF “L” graduate with distinction and a USDF bronze and silver medalist. She is the trainer and manager of Weatogue Stables in Salisbury, CT. The focus at the farm is on developing dressage and event horses into happy and athletic individuals with well rounded educations. Bobbi enjoys working with both lower level riders and green horses and helping them to build their potential through solid basics. She is an active competitor, showing both her own and clients’ horses through the FEI levels as well as eventing. Stabling and lesson horses are available.

Yvonn Coleman-Larsen – Deerfield, NH. Yvonn is a USDF certified instructor and USDF L graduate. She covers 7 states giving clinics and judging shows. Yvonn trained and competed in Denmark to FEI Levels. She bases her instruction on proven classical dressage concepts using innovative yet simple to understand methods. Yvonn has studied with top international instructors such as Kyra Kyrklund who share her philosophies. She teaches all levels and creates a customized training plan geared to the ability and goals of the student; emphasizing the importance of understanding where the rider wants to go with their training and why different methods work. Stabling is available.

Leah Conathan – Duxbury, MA. Leah has been teaching dressage to adult amateurs for the last 15 years. Her success in teaching comes from her ability to give her students the confidence and skills necessary to ride and compete. Leah has a lifetime of experience correctly starting young horses giving them the same confidence she inspires in her students. Her systematic and classical approach to riding and training is also patient and understanding, creating a consistent positive environment for both student and horse. Leah is currently competing at 4th level working towards her USDF silver medal and is training with Kathy Von Ertfelda. Students through 2nd level. Stabling is not available.

Joy Congdon - Shelburne, VT. Joy operates her training and teaching business, Still Point Dressage in Shelburne, VT. She is a USDF Certified Instructor through fourth level, a USDF graduate “L” judge and a USDF bronze and silver medalist. Joy was the assistant trainer to Kathy Connelly for seventeen years. She enjoys working with all levels of horses and riders, and uses a system of progressive exercises, with emphasis on the rider’s position to help students learn and have a clear program to follow on their own. She has worked with many different breeds and enjoys seeing the benefits that dressage can bring to any horse. She is a popular clinician throughout New England and has earned many USDF and NEDA year end awards. Her website is www.joycongdondressage.com. Stabling may be available.

Kathy Connelly – Concord, MA. Kathy Connelly is an international dressage rider, trainer and coach as well as an S level judge. She has won national titles at all the FEI levels including the US Grand Prix Championship and the US World Cup Championship. She represented the USA at the World Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden and was the highest placed member of the GP bronze medal team at the North American Championships. She has always selected her own horses and trained them to GP. Kathy trained extensively with the late German trainer Herbert Rehbein and also trained with Ernst Bachinger, current director of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna. One of Kathy’s specialties is training piaffe and passage on the long lines.

Her horses and students have competed on Olympic teams, at the World Cup, the World Games and The Pan American Games, The Canadian World Cup and the US Young Rider Teams. She has acted as Chef d’Equipe for the US Dressage Team and coached the US Silver Medal winning YR team in Australia in 2003. Many successful international riders have trained with Kathy, including Shannon Dueck, Jessica Ransehousen, Betsy Steiner, Todd Flettrich, Reese Koffler Stanfield and George Williams (with Marnix and Rocher – US Grand Prix Champion and winner three times at Dressage at Devon). She also trains many amateurs and young riders, including Katie Walsh, the 1995 NAYRC National Champion.

Kathy is a member of the High Performance Committee for the USET. She is Chair for the USEF Sub-Committee for Test Writing and is a member of the USEF Licensed Officials Committee. Kathy is also a member of the USDF Planning Committee and Co-Chair of the USDF Evaluation of the Certified Instruction Program. She is one of the USDF designated clinicians for the US YR Program along with Sue Blinks, Debbie McDonald, Jan Ebeling and George Williams.

She has published numerous articles in all US dressage magazines and is co-author of the book “Dressage Insights and Excerpts from the Experts”. Kathy is on the Advisory Board of “Dressage Today” magazine, and she is the dressage products advisor for Dover Saddlery. Stabling is available.

Leslie de Grandmaison – Auburn, NH. Leslie de Grandmaison has been riding and competing horses for over 25 years in the disciplines of dressage and eventing. Leslie is a USDF bronze and silver medalist, USDF L graduate with distinction and BSHAI certified. She has trained, ridden and competed a number of horses to the FEI levels and values the process and experience gained with training each horse. She has students riding in all stages of knowledge and experience in both dressage and eventing. Leslie’s kind and systematic approach gives both horse and rider confidence. This balanced and progressive style creates happy horses willing to work for their riders. Leslie teaches at Apple Valley Farm in Harvard, MA and several locations in NH. A lunge horse and stabling is available.

Gretchen DeMone – Rehoboth, MA. Gretchen is a USDF Certified Instructor/Trainer T-2, a silver medalist and graduate of the USDF Learner “L” Judges program who trains with Kathy Connelly. Gretchen enjoys working with all breeds of horses and teaching motivated students. Focusing on correct dressage basics, she incorporates natural horsemanship, jumping, trail riding, and galloping into her cross training program. Stabling is available.

Olav Drehn – Millbrook, NY. Olav Drehn achieved his Bereiter license in 1969 and has worked as a professional horseman ever since. He studied for eight years with his mentor, Lis Hartel, the two-time silver medalist in the 1952 and 1956 Olympics and Grand Prix World Champion who taught him her approach to the horse built upon balance and feel. He also spent four years studying with Gunnar Andersen, trainer for the Danish Olympic Team for 40 years. Olav has trained many horses and students to the FEI levels. He won the US Dressage Federation International Championship in 1995 and 1996, and in 1996, his team, Mid-Hudson, took the Fiona Baan trophy for most wins.

His philosophy holds that keeping a horse happy serves as the foundation for strong development of natural athletic ability and a good work ethic. He strives to bring your horse to its peak gymnastic development while helping you form the close connections and understanding that result in a true partnership that is effortless and relaxed. By focusing on the basics of correct position, balance, soft and light aids, the idea that less is better, and your growing knowledge that connection comes when your horse gives. They are the lessons Olav Drehn took from his teacher, Lis Hartel – the famed Danish Olympian who won two silver medals in dressage even though polio left her disabled since the age of 14. She taught that you use balance. The lighter the horse gets, the more you can collect it.

Sarah Geikie – Lebanon, CT. Sarah is currently a USEF S judge and FEI C judge. Sarah has been a lifelong equestrian. Her initial work with horses was with US Pony Club, where she successfully competed through intermediate level eventing. Becoming intrigued with dressage, she changed her focus and training to dressage, and studied extensively with Cindy Sydnor and Volker Brommann. She was also strongly influenced by regular clinics with Walter Christiansen. Sarah has her USDF bronze and silver medals. She has also been awarded the Lindgren Scholarship for USDF. She is a USDF Instructor Education faculty member and is apprenticing to be an examiner in the program. She is certified through fourth level. In addition, Sarah has her BHSAI certificate and a BS in Animal Science from the University of Massachusetts. She currently has a very full schedule teaching and training in Lebanon, Connecticut and she judges and conducts clinics throughout the country. Sarah's teaching and training philosophy is to present an educated approach to riding and training. She stresses an integrated approach in her teaching, in that she works to improve the rider's technique and communication with the horse as well as to address and improve the horse's strengths and weakness according to the Training Scale. She offers a positive approach that emphasizes positive reinforcement to both horse and rider, with the development of harmony very important.

Emily Gershberg – Hudson, NY. Emily has trained out of her family's Apple Hill Farm Dressage Center, LLC, for the last 22 years. She is a USDF Certified Instructor through 4th level and has trained and competed many horses from training level through FEI. In 2004, she trained in Germany with Ulla Salzgeber. Emily enjoys working with students of all levels and particularly enjoys working with capable young horses. Stabling may be available.

Pamela Goodrich – Boscawen, NH. Pamela trains from her Foster Meadow Farm and has been an instructor and trainer of dressage for over twenty years. She has studied with Michael Poulin, Herbert Rehbein, Harry Boldt, Gabby Grillo, Kyra Kirkland, and Klaus Balkenhol, among others. She has competed in the World Championships in Toronto, two Olympic Sports Festivals, as well as in Europe. She has won many year-end awards on her various Grand Prix horses, including Adriano, Touchstone (USDF Grand Prix Freestyle Champion), St. Laurant, Midas Touch, Perspective, Master of the Game, and Melville. Pam’s students have competed successfully from Training Level to Grand Prix. They have competed in the Pan American Games, Olympic Sports Festivals, the World Cup, the World Equestrian Games, and the Olympics. Pam is a very popular clinician throughout New England, and while she is truly a “trainer’s trainer,” she enjoys teaching riders at all levels, and has been especially generous to the Flextime Program in helping our Young Riders. Stabling is not available.

Lendon Gray – Bedford, New York. Lendon is based at her farm, Gleneden. She grew up in Maine, where
she learned to ride at a very young age. She rode western, hunt seat, played gymkhana games, and drove. The
US Pony Club played a central role in her life from the age of seven through her twenties, and she also trained
with the Olympic Three Day Team. At the age of 27, Lendon started to specialize in Dressage, and began to
work with Seldom Seen, the first of her famous Dressage “ponies.” Seldom Seen was National Champion at
Third and Fourth Level, Prix St. Georges, Intermediare 1 and 2, and Grand Prix. Although Lendon rode
Warmbloods in two Olympics, the ponies hold a special place in her heart. She remains committed to
encouraging riders who may not have the fanciest horses or best-known trainers, to be the best that they can be.
In addition to running Gleneden Dressage, Lendon is active with the USET, USEF, and USDF. Her writing has
been featured regularly in Practical Horseman. She takes students of all ages, but is particularly noted for her
work with Juniors, to help them develop into well-rounded horsemen. Lendon is happy to each any level, pre training on up. Stabling is available. School horses are not available.

Ann Guptill –East Haddam, Connecticut. Ann is a professional dressage rider, trainer, and instructor. She is a USDF Certified Instructor and USDF Instructor Certification faculty member. Ann has won numerous regional and national titles at all levels of dressage, with her career highlights including the 1987 Pan American Games Team Silver Medal. Ann competes a variety of breeds and types of horses in dressage and enjoys teaching students of all levels. Stabling is available. Riders need to sign a farm release when they arrive.

Jeanie L. Hahn – Piermont, NH. Jeanie, along with her family, Verne, Emma and Nora Batchelder operate River House Hanoverians. A USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist, and USDF certified instructor through second level, Jeanie has students and horses at all levels. She enjoys helping people understand the progression and application of the training scale. GP school masters are available and she teaches lunge lessons. Stabling is available.

Jane Hannigan – Harvard, MA. Bio to come.

Heidi Jo Hauri-Gill – Enfield, NH. Heidi is most fond of teaching juniors, and has had a lot of success with her juniors at both the Region 8 Championships and Lendon’s Youth Festival. She works with AAs as well. If you are struggling with connection, or how the pyramid works, Heidi can help. As a USDF “L” she can help with fine tuning your performance as well. She trains to third level. Multiple school horses are available, stabling is available and there is a B&B ¼ mile from the farm. Her website is: firstchoiceridingacademy.com.

Mary A. Howard –Brentwood, NH. Mary Howard has won numerous Horse of the Year titles over the past 20 years. She has trained and competed successfully in Europe and was the highest ranked American rider in the Prix St Georges /Intermediare I at the 1986 World Championships. She was the winner at PSG/I1 level at the Pan Am Games in 1985, and was short listed for the 1988 Olympics. More recently, Mary has trained and competed Pik L to Intermediare I, with many wins locally and in Florida CDIs. Over the years, Mary has coached young riders to team and individual medals; she enjoys working with willing students at all levels. Stabling is available.

Jane Karol - Concord, MA. Based at her own Bear Spot Farm, Jane has been teaching dressage for over fifteen years. She has earned her bronze, silver and gold USDF medals. Jane has trained several horses through Grand Prix, two of whom she currently competes. For nearly twenty years, she has been training with Gerrit Claes Bierenbroodspot of Holland and currently rides intensively with Kathy Connelly. She has had the opportunity to ride in clinics with Henk von Bergen, Volker Moritz, Anky van Grunsven, Steffen Peters, Sue Blinks, Lois Yukins, Klaus Balkenhol and Josef Knipp. Along with her extensive career in dressage she has a doctorate degree in clinical psychology. She has developed a clinical practice for children and adolescents at her barn using a horse as her co-therapist (The Bear Spot Foundation for Equine Assisted Psychotherapy). As a teacher, Jane enjoys riders of all levels and is interested in working with all breeds of horses. She focuses on finding a teaching methodology to match the particular way of learning of each horse and rider combination. Stabling is available.

Renate Lansburgh – Middleboro, MA. Renate Lansburgh trained and competed to FEI levels and earned the USDF bronze and silver medals. She is a USDF certified instructor through 4th level and a USEF “R” judge. She is committed to helping riders find the necessary balanced, independent seat; development of feel; and effective aid application while keeping the horse’s well being foremost in mind. She teaches at Beland Stables, Inc, Lakeville, MA, Coursebrook Farm, Sherborn, MA, and Dry Water Farm, Stoughton, MA. May not be available in April and August.

Dee Loveless – Monson, MA. "R" Dressage Judge, USDF bronze and silver medalist, Dee competed hunters and evented, but specialized in dressage the past 20 years. She is an active competitor as well as a judge, instructor and trainer. Dee enjoys teaching adult amateurs and young riders on all breeds of horses. She has competed to Grand Prix, and has shown and trained horses representing a wide variety of breeds. Dee’s training approach stresses the classical principles of preserving harmony and relaxation, while working to achieve competitive success. She works with her students to assess their goals (training and/or competition) and develops an individualized training plan to help the rider achieve those goals. Go to www.deeloveless.com for more information on Dee and her training facility in Monson, MA. Stabling is not available.

Sharon McCusker – Ashby, MA. Sharon owns and operates Souhegan Farm, a dressage training facility located in Ashby, Massachusetts. A successful FEI trainer and competitor for over 15 years, Sharon had the opportunity to train with Pam Goodrich, Michael Poulin, Carl Lavell, and Klaus Balkenhol. In 2000, Sharon and her horse Peter the Great were on the USET long-list, and they were ranked 6th in the USDF National Rankings at Grand Prix. She’s also competed and earned many national and regional titles with other horses she’s trained such as Maestro and Weltheir. Sharon has also coached three Young Riders to top placings at the NAYRC and has helped many of her Adult Amateur students earn their USDF medals.

Juli Sherif is a 13-year old Danish gelding owned by Sharon. They began competing together in 2008 at Intermediare I, and they quickly moved up to Intermediare II during the summer season They finished 3rd in the national USDF rankings at Intermediare II, and they were both Region 8 and NEDA Year-End Champions at the same level. This past January, Juli Sherif made his debut at Grand Prix, winning the Gold Coast Opener. He finished 7th at the Palm Beach Derby CDI and 4th in the Grand Prix and 3rd in the Special at the Wellington Equestrian Festival CDI. At the Raleigh, North Carolina CDI they finished 3rd in both the Grand Prix and the Freestyle. At the National Grand Prix Championships they finished 4th in the Grand Prix and 7th overall. They are aiming for the USEF WEG qualifiers in Florida in 2010. Stabling is not available.

Bill McMullin - Medfield, MA. Bill became a USDF Certified Instructor in 1992 and a USEF ‘r’ Judge in 2000. Since 1998, he and partner Bill Warren have operated Warren-McMullin Dressage where they teach and train out of a state of the art facility in Medfield, MA and for the winter in Wellington, FL. Bill enjoys working with riders of all levels. Stabling is sometimes available.

Gwyneth McPherson – New Gloucester, ME. Gwyneth is the Lead Trainer and Director of Pineland Farms Equestrian Center. An FEI competitor since 1987, she has competed on six Young Riders Teams, on 4 different horses, earning team gold, silver and bronze medals, as well as an individual gold medal. She has also earned her USDF bronze and silver medals and many national titles. She has trained 3 horses through Grand Prix, and has been teaching for over 20 years. Major influences include Lendon Gray, Carol Lavell, and Michael Poulin. Gwyneth teaches with an emphasis on position, proper usage of the aids, and fairness to the horse. She enjoys working with riders of all ages and levels. She has schoolmasters 2nd Level, 3rd Level, PSG and GP. The FEI horses are available to a rider who has taken at least one lesson with her. Stabling is available. Because Pineland Farms is a breeding facility, all visiting horses must be vaccinated for Flu/Rhino no less than 2 weeks and no more than 6 months from their arrival.

Deborah Moynihan – Bolton, CT. Deb is a USDF Certified Instructor/Trainer (T-2), a USEA Certified Eventing Instructor (Level-1, Training) and a Level IV Centered Riding Instructor/Clinician. Her specialty is teaching the rider how to effectively use their body, learn feel, achieve balance, and properly communicate with their horse. She enjoys working with all levels of riders and horses. A school horse is available and stabling may be available.

Diana Mukpo – Providence, RI. Diana Mukpo is a USDF gold medalist. She was one of a few women ever admitted to the foreign student program at the Spanish Riding School of Vienna. She then trained in Germany with Herbert Rehbein. She was long listed for the 2005 Young Horse Championships and is currently competing her horse Pascal on the Grand Prix circuit in the northeast and Florida. Diana enjoys working with horses and riders of all levels with focus on seat position and clear communication between horse and rider. See Dressage Daily Who’s Who for complete bio. Diana trains out of Cutler Farm in Medfield, MA. Stabling is sometimes available.

Jerilyn Nieder – Warner, NH. Jerilyn Nieder is the owner/trainer of Twin Ridge Farm in Warner, NH. She is an "r" judge, has her USEF Bronze medal and is an FEI competitor. Jeri gives clinics around New England and enjoys teaching all levels. Having worked extensively with Karl Mikolka and Pam Goodrich, she has also been fortunate enough to ride with International trainer/riders such as Sue Blinks , Lilo Fore, Linda Zang , Carol Lavell, Lendon Gray, Jane Savoie , Cindy Sydnor and Shelly Francis. " Horses are the great joy and passion of my life and it is this love of the animal that forms the foundation of my personal philosophy on teaching people how to ride. It is the knowledgeable rider who's mount can realize his potential, perform his best, and enjoy doing it !". Stabling and well educated school horses are available.

Tom Noone – Chester, NY. Tom is an accomplished dressage rider and trainer, having won National and Regional Championship at every level of dressage. He has trained more than a dozen horses to the Grand Prix level and has competed four of them himself. He was the US representative to the World Cup in 2001 in Denmark and he made the Nation’s Top 12 for the World Equestrian Games in 2002 (having to withdraw Fresco due to illness at the final trials). He had the 1997 USDF Horse of the Year at Grand Prix. Tom does particularly enjoy teaching young riders, to both show them the classical arts of dressage and teaching them the partnership that leads to successful competition riding and the horse as a happy athlete. Lesson available for either JR/YR or AA. Tom is only available on weekdays for Flextime lessons.

Linda Parmenter - Hubbardston, MA. Linda has been teaching and training horses and students for
over twenty-five years, and involved in horse management for more than thirty years. She currently owns and
operates Pinehaven Farm, and travels throughout New England for clinics with her students. Her background
includes 4-H, hunter/jumper and Pony Club Eventing, where she began to pursue her love of dressage. Linda
has earned the USDF bronze and silver medals, and is a familiar competitor throughout the Northeast. She has
won numerous regional, national and year-end awards through FEI levels. Training over the years with such
luminaries as Walter Christensen, Louise Nathorst, and Sue Blinks, Linda now regularly rides in clinics with internationally known Volker Bromman and Kathy Connelly. She has also traveled to Germany twice to train there. Linda enjoys working with riders and horses of all levels and disciplines, and focuses on learning the German training scale as well as longeing for the rider. She operates the United States office for The Xenophon Classical Riding Society (introduced to us by Klaus Balkenhol in 2006) and is very committed to the horses’ harmony and soundness. Linda’s horse Odin has been competing successfully at PSG and Intermediare 1. She has a 3rd level school master available. Week days during show season are best. Stabling is occasionally available. Linda travels to other barns.

Jodi Pearson-Keating – Hopkinton, MA. Jodi is an FEI level competitor and trainer. She has earned her silver medal as well as many yearend awards on horses ranging from Warmbloods to Saddlebreds to Friesians to Thoroughbreds. She has taught and coached many young riders and adult amateurs alike up through the levels with equal success. Her specialty is finding the perfect training approach to maximize the partnership between each individual horse and rider, so each can reach their potential in a peaceful, systematic way using classical dressage. Stabling is sometimes available.

Lisa Pierson – Hopewell Junction, NY. Lisa is an FEI trainer and competitor. She has her USDF bronze and silver medals and several regional championships. Her teaching philosophy for students of all levels is based on the classical training scale, tailored to each individual. She trains primarily with Henk van Bergen, but also would consider Bodo Hangen, Gary VanderPloeg, Maryal Barnett and Roel Theunissen as big influences in her training. Stabling is available.

Candace Platz – Auburn, ME. As an equine veterinarian as well as certified instructor, Candace has special interest in improving and preserving health in the dressage horse through correct, kind and effective work. Her teaching helps her students better understand themselves and their horses so that they can continue the work independently at home. She is a USDF silver medalist hoping to earn her remaining scores at Grand Prix next year on a home-raised and trained horse. Candace has studied with Bill Warren, Cindy Sydnor, Sarah Geike, Michael Poulin, Heike Bean , Oded Shimoni and Ruth Sarkunas, among others. She currently host clinics and trains with Rodrigo de Matos, Principle Rider of the Escola Equestre Portuguesa. She teaches training level through PSG. Some dates in April, June and most weekends in July are not available because of horse shows. School horse and stabling are available.

Rebecca Schurink – Amherst, MA. Rebecca trains horses at Mount Holyoke College and the University of Mass in So. Hadley and Hadley, MA. She is a F.E.I. competitor and USDF bronze and silver medalist. In 2007 she received the Coach of the Year Award from the I.D.A. Her MHC Dressage Team has won 3 consecutive I.D.A. National championships and numerous individual national and regional awards. Rebecca’s experience in training traditional as well as non-traditional horses through the levels has given her the ability to help other horse and rider teams become successful. Schurink’s knowledge of training and teaching has been furthered over many years of working with top level dressage riders such as Kathy Connelly, Gunnar Ostergaard and in clinics with Conrad Schumacher. She is available May – August for training through fourth level students. Stabling is not available.

Pat Spettel – Merrimack, NH. Pat is a professional trainer and instructor with 27 years of experience. She has trained with Michael Poulin, Mary Howard, Kathy Connelly, Jane Savoie, Karl Mikolka and Barend Heilbron. She currently works with Pam Goodrich. Pat competes successfully through Intermediare I, attaining several year-end titles and her USDF bronze and silver medals. Her lessons focus on how the rider’s position and balance affect the horse. Once you and your horse are in balance, throughness and collection can be achieved. Pat is currently boarding in Wilton, NH where trailer-ins are welcome, or she will travel within 1 hour of Merrimack, NH.

Jessica van Eyck – Bondville, VT. Jessica currently owns and operates Northshire Farm in Bondville, Vermont, where she teaches and trains a combination of competitive adult and young riders. She attended The University of Vermont, and graduated from the Animal Science department with a degree in Equine Studies, which gave her a wonderful education about the anatomy, physiology and nutrition of the horse which is so important to keep in mind as you train the equine athlete through the levels. She has had the pleasure of training and competing multiple horses at the FEI level and has earned her USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals. She is currently a USDF certified Instructor and recently graduated from the USDF L Program with distinction. Jessica believes that through correct and kind dressage training all horses and riders can be improved and can become a harmonious team. She feels that our position and aids (intentional, or not) as riders have more influence on our horses than we can ever even imagine and she takes pleasure in helping to clarify and improve communication and understanding between horse and rider. She has found it to be true that in training and teaching that taking a step back and using the training pyramid to reiterate and improve the basics will always boost you forward. Jessica enjoys teaching riders and horses of all ages and levels. Stabling is available.

Kathleen Von Ertfelda – South Dartmouth, MA. Working from Peak Rock Farm, Kathleen has ridden and trained dressage for twenty-five years. Among her accomplishments, she has trained six horses from youngsters to Grand Prix, earning her USDF gold medal. She competed at Grand Prix nationally and internationally from 1992 to 1999, and qualified for the Grand Prix Championships at Gladstone each year. In 1995, Kathleen trained in Germany and competed for USET at Aachen. She was also a member of the USET team that won the Team Bronze for the United States at Rotterdam, Holland. In 1996, Kathy represented the United States at the Volvo World Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden. In 1997, they won the Team Silver Medal at the North American championship. Currently, she trains and competes in both New England and Florida. Stabling is available.

Jan Williams – North Hatfield, MA. Jan, a USDF gold, silver & bronze medalist, has won numerous regional and national awards with many horses at the USEF and FEI levels. Currently, Jan competes Conchita at Grand Prix. Her training focus is to improve the rider’s communication with their horse in order to achieve greater success in the competition arena and to develop greater appreciation of their horse (www.coyoterunfarm.com). Stabling is available.

Jennifer Wilson-Horr – Springvale, ME. Jennifer Wilson-Horr is a USDF bronze and silver medalist and USDF Certified Instructor. She owns and operates Cedar Hill Farm, along with her husband. Jennifer has been a successful dressage trainer with numerous regional and national awards from training through FEI. She competed many years asn event rider through Preliminary and Intermedeiate. Jennifer has helped many of her dressage students earn their USDF medals along with helping event riders improve their dressage scores. Unika aka Jeffery owned by Jennifer is an eight year old Dutch Gelding by Contango. 2007 was his first year competing, winning at second level, becoming 2007 Region 8 Second Level Champion, NEDA year end Second Level champion with 72%, first in the nation for Dutch horse at Second Level and seventh in Horse of the Year. They emerged on the scene in 2009 at PSG and quickly moved up to eighth place on the Developing Young Horse list – qualifying and invited to the Young Horse Championships in Illinois. Unika and Jennifer finished 2009 Reserve Champion at PSG with 67%. She has trained with Mary Howard, Linda Zang, Pam Goodrich, clinics with Gary Rockwell, and many more. She welcomes riders from all disciplines and levels. Stabling is available and she may have a school horse.

Cindi Rose Wylie - Georgetown, MA. Cindi Wylie, based at Rosebrook Farm, is a versatile instructor, working with a variety of horses and riders. Cindi’s most recent Grand Prix horse is Audacity, a half Morgan cross. They placed fifth in the Special at Devon. Cindi’s philosophy regarding teaching focuses on helping riders achieve the correct balance and feel for their horse, facilitating communication between the pair through the correct use and application of their aids. Stabling is not available and a current coggins and health certificate is required for truck ins.

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