Lindsey Brewin and Vaillant in the Youth Section with Robert Dover. Photo By: Carrie Wirth.
Gladstone, NJ – October 14, 2014 – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation held the second Dressage Pipeline Clinic, one of a series of events aimed at pairing the country’s top dressage educators with talented future prospects for international competition.
USEF Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor, Robert Dover, USEF Developing Coach, Debbie McDonald, and USEF Developing Horse Coach, Scott Hassler, came together at Linda and Michael Fowler’s Epona Farm in Thousand Oaks, California, on Oct. 11-12 to help showcase, develop and mentor top horses and athletes. The clinic was made possible by USET Foundation trustee Betsy Juliano and Havensafe Farm.
“Because Michael has put up his ranch as a training base for the USET Foundation, we had already had Robert and Debbie come a couple of times,” said Button Baker, who helped plan for the success of the clinic. “So when the pipeline clinic came around, we asked, ‘Can we run it?’ and Michael said ‘yes’.”
“The clinic provides encouragement on all levels – young horses and young riders – and brings people in to get into the spirit of what the sport is all about,” said Fowler. “A perfect outcome of events like these would be more interest in dressage – more people supporting it and raising the standard and the quality. We’re just happy to host the event.”
The participating athletes received individual lessons on their horses and took part in educational sessions focused on fitness and sports psychology as well as how to manage relations with owners, sponsors and the media.
“The two pipeline clinics that the USEF and the USET Foundation have put on so far have caused a great deal of excitement in the community and a feeling of progress toward our shared goal- not just excellence but medal winning,” said Dover. “I am hopeful that we see that everyone is taking part, and riders, horses and auditors go home feeling like they’ve gained something. I hope they will have an ‘ah-ha’ moment that will change their life.”
Ashlyn De Groot, from DG Bar Ranch in Hanford, California, was selected for the clinic and brought her 6-year-old mare, Dalina DG, a Dutch Warmblood mare by Jazz.
“It’s such an honor to be here,” De Groot said. “This is the first time that Scott [Hassler] has had a one-on-one with me. He’s helped me a little bit at horse shows just watching me and giving me pointers. I thank Scott for the support and helping me grow with young horses, as well as pushing me to be better, to really give me confidence.”
Carly Taylor-Smith from Malibu, California and her 4-year-old Rosalut NHF, a dark bay Oldenburg gelding by Rosenthal, were also selected. Taylor-Smith rode “Ludo” to championship honors in the Four-Year-Old division at the USEF/Markel Young Horse Championships.
“It’s a privilege,” said Taylor-Smith. “I’ve never been to something like this before. It’s an honor. I like that we’re covering some of the other aspects as well, like nutrition. And everyone working as a package – it is really great.”
On Saturday evening a reception and dinner included a presentation on working with the media, given by Mason Phelps Jr. and Carrie Wirth of Phelps Media Group, as well as a presentation by Juliano.
Juliano shared the unique opportunity for the sport of dressage in the U.S. and stressed the importance of the team concept and applying the use of strategy by working with USEF and the USET Foundation for forward progress.
The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.
The USET Foundation has been awarded Charity Navigators highest honor, a Four Star rating for good governance, sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.
Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com
