I was privileged to have had a very special relationship with the late Jill Hassler Scoop. She was the most important person in my professional development - opening doors and creating opportunities I never imagined. She was a force of nature, mentor and great friend to whom I owe so much. Jill was my guide during her lifetime and she guides me still. After I completed the instructor training program she created based out of Hilltop Farm, I became faculty for Jill's expanding Balimo program which was in partnership with Eckart Meyners in Germany. It was there that my education took a propulsive leap. At the German Riding School I gained total immersion in the sport, both in theory and practice. It was also in this setting that my standard for "correct" as well as excellence was fostered and refined. 

 

After many years involved in the sport of Dressage, my resume is extensive. The following are a few highlights of both my education and competitive successes:

 

• USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist on self trained horses. I did NOT earn my medals on someone else’s training. 

• MANY USDF competitive wins and successes including, High Point Awards, Regional Championships, Breed Awards, Horse of the Year and other National Award distinctions. 

• Completed and passed all USDF Instructor Workshops. 

• Audited USDF “L” program series for educational purposes. 

• Lead Presenter at the 2008 USDF Convention in Denver, CO for the BalimoTM Program.

• Selected to be a demo rider for the 2009 USDF symposium with Jan Brink in Austin, TX

• Extensive experience starting and presenting young horses for performance testing at 2 major breeding operations. 

• Selected to be a demo rider for the 2015 HDS. Conrad Schumacher Symposium in Cypress. TX.

​

Experiences with Jill Hassler:

• Equestrian Education Systems Faculty (EES)/Balimo (2005-2010)

• Executive Co-Director of BES, along with Alison End

• Graduate BalimoTM Instructor/Board Member/Event Organizer for EES

• Photo Model for the Eckart Meyners 5 book series "Program for Better Riding"

​

My experience riding with world class Instructors is extensive - Lief Sorrensen, Hannes Mueller (headmaster of the German Riding school), Lisa Wilcox, Conrad Schumacher, Charlie Hutton, Jan Ebling, Jan Brink, Heike Kemmer, Pam Goodrich, Loma Fowler, Stephan Kiesewetter, Max Gahwyler, Jill and Scott Hassler, Whit Watkins and Abi Lyle.  To name a few. 

​

My education continues with the modern convenience of internet supported learning. Today, engaged and responsible trainers can easily keep current utilizing any number of educational platforms.

​

Last but certainly not least, I very successfully bred horses for Dressage for 20 years. My knowledge and experience with bloodlines helped enormously in that effort. That program was retired so I can focus on riding and coaching in the coming years.