I wanted to ride horses for as long as I can remember, but only had a few chances to ride as a kid. Finally as an adult I was able to begin lessons, and it happened to be at a dressage/jumping barn. I took lessons with Karin Manley, Szczepan Cieplicki, and rode in clinics with Jerry Schurink (www.bridgewatereagles.com/sports/equest/coaches/Jerry_Schurink) and Terry Church (www.naturalsporthorse.com). I rode the spunky Trakehner mare Aquarell (whom I later purchased), a cute little QH mare Harriet, and the incomparable Leopard 590 (www.sporthorse-data.com/d?i=10282440) who had been a breeding stallion (gelded before I rode him). I always wanted to show dressage, and in 2002, thanks to the Sorensens (www.sorensenpark.com) and schoolhorses Taask and Springer, we did it! I didn't get stupendous scores, but I loved the experiences!
Chester County, PA 2004-2005
In 2004 I found the opportunity to work with horses full time in Chester County, PA which is comparable to Middleburg, VA and Lexington, KY for the number of horse farms and horse activities going on! Chester County is home to lots of dressage, jumping, eventing, steeplechases, paper chases, TB breeding farms, New Bolton Center (www.vet.upenn.edu/about/campuses/new-bolton-center-campus), the Ransehousens, and Olympian eventers Jane Sleeper and Bruce Davidson. I learned a lot about horse care and went on some awesome trail rides! I was a member of Delaware Valley CT Association (www.dvcta.org) and I worked for a trainer at Dressage at Devon and I also volunteered at DAD - what a blast! My lovely friend Lisa came to visit during DAD and we were wow'ed by the Saturday evening Grand Prix performances.
