My late mentor and great friend, Jill-Hassler Scoop.(March 2006)
I was privileged to have had a very special relationship with the late Jill Hassler-Scoop. She was the most
significant guiding force in my professional life – opening doors and creating
opportunities I never imagined. Jill taught me how to direct my abundant energies toward my dual professional
goals of improving both as a rider and an instructor. Jill was a force of
nature; a great friend and mentor for me to whom I owe so much. She was my
guide during her lifetime, and she guides me still.
In addition to the guidance of a truly great mentor, I am also lucky to have horses as a great passion in my life. Specifically, riding and training horses for Dressage is what gets me out of bed in the
morning! As a committed and enthusiastic learner I have immersed myself for
the past 18 years in this profession and continue to invest in my education
regularly. This is where I get to be the student, and I do LOVE to learn. I believe that a positive learning attitude
and solid work ethic are the two most valuable assets a person can have to make
progress in riding (and in life.) I
started all of this comparatively late in life, so I knew I would have to work
twice as hard to get where I wanted to be.
At the beginning I began riding at the age of 3 on the dairy farm where I grew up. My
early riding experiences were mostly western or bareback. I did not have any
formal instruction nor did I compete during these years. I took a hiatus
from horses to earn a double degree in Liberal Arts and History from
the University of
New Orleans. After
completing my bachelor’s degree I worked in the Trust division of Hibernia
National Bank in Oil and Gas & Real Estate. In the evenings, I earned a Law Degree from Loyola University.
Traditional Education
University of New Orleans, double degree in Liberal Arts and History, Graduated
1987
Loyola Law School of New Orleans, Graduated from night school 1991
Passed Bar Exam 1991
In 1992, I began riding again after a 10 year “get educated” break. I
received a buckskin quarter horse to pleasure ride as a wedding gift. Shortly
thereafter, a friend introduced me to Dressage and I was instantly hooked.
In 1997, as an amateur rider I bought my first warmblood. I eventually
trained that green broke 4 year old to Intermediare 1, earning my USDF
Bronze and Silver medals on this horse, which I trained entirely on my own. In
2000, after becoming a professional I worked for a total of 5 years for two
different breeding farms, starting young horses and developing them for sale.
Competitive Career Accomplishments USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist
Many USDF Dressage show wins and successes, High point awards, Regional awards and other
distinctions.
In 2001, prepared and presented 8 mares in 6 weeks (two were unbroken) for
their ISR/Oldenburg Mare Performance Test. Selected to be a demo rider for the 2009 USDF symposium with Jan Brink in Austin, TX.
USDF Education Completed and passed all 3 Instructor Workshops on first attempt (2004). I hope to finish this process when I can finally find a pre-cert
opportunity AND my schedule allows!
Audited “L” program series for education purposes (2006).
Equestrian Education Systems (EES)/Balimo (2005-2010) Executive Co-Director of EES, along with Alison End
Graduate BalimoTM Instructor/Board Member/Event Organizer for EES
Support Faculty for Distance Learning
Photo Model for the Eckart Meyners 5 book series "Program for Better Riding" Lead Presenter at the 2008 USDF Convention in Denver, CO for the BalimoTM Program.
An important part of my continuing education is riding with a select group of clinicians on a regular basis. I have ridden and studied over the years with too many
clinicians to name! In recent years, however I have spent as much time as possible riding
and studying with Hannes Mueller of the German Riding
School. I also ride with
Lief Sorrensen of Denmark several times a year, and have done so for the past
10 years. My local coach is Grand Prix rider and USDF Gold medalist, Anne Hornbeak. She is an important part of my education, a great resource to have in my back yard and a valued friend and colleague. In recent years I have also
ridden with Jan Ebling, Heike Kemmer (whose US tour I organized) and Lisa
Wilcox. My trips to Germany to ride with Hannes have been extremely educational and FUN. I'm
having a lot more fun in my own learning now since I've learned to be more
relaxed and less intense about it all. I'm still very serious about my
education but I insist on having fun now – otherwise it’s not worth it to me!
Vicky enjoying a light moment on heavy Westphalen Coldblood, Hurricane at the German riding school in Warendorf. He's a famous trick horse at the school and is beloved by all. (October 2007)
Riding the Stallion Cordobes I. Hannes instructs Vicky during a training session at the German riding school.(October 2006)
Vicky working with Hannes Mueller again. This time on her own horse, Owen. (March 2008)
Shindig (Digger) and Vicky riding with US Olympian Lisa Wilcox in Atlanta. (June 2006)
