21/01/2025
This weekend, I had the privilege of attending the USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program, sponsored by The Dressage Foundation. A huge thank you to the TDF Captain Jack Fritz grant for making my travel to Florida possible. It was amazing to meet so many other wonderful young professionals with the same aspirations that I have. The program was packed with invaluable insights from top professionals, and I gained irreplaceable knowledge that will shape my career moving forward.
Here are some key takeaways from the program:
- Roz Kinstler: Set clear business goals and program guidelines. Focus on your specialty and only take on horses or students you feel you can improve.
- Becca Hart: Create a professional "look book" for potential sponsors with your goals, budget, credentials, and letters of recommendation.
- Laura Roberts: Always maintain professionalism, even when things don’t go as planned in the saddle.
- Reese Koffler & Eliza Sydnor: Build strong business management skills. Start an IRA account and plan for your future early.
- Terry Gallo: When designing freestyles, focus on phrasing, directional balance, and effective arena use.
-.Heather Peterson: There is a need for more technical delegates! She shared how to become one.
- Debra Reinhardt: Show managers handle budgets, while show secretaries process entries and create schedules. Both roles are vital to successful events.
- Yvonne Ocrant: Equine law practices, including crafting liability waivers to protect against legal issues and understanding potential risks in equine activities.
- Sarah Geikie: The Certified Instructor Program emphasizes understanding the theory of movements to help achieve higher scores.
- Sarah Geikie & Kristi Wysocki: Judging can be a great addition to riding and teaching. After graduating from the L program with distinction you can become an "r" judge, then an "R" judge, and finally an "S" judge.
- Kristi Wysocki & Michael Bragdell: Avoid long pasterns and overly extravagant front-end movement to prioritize longevity. The Sport Horse Forum in June at Hilltop sounds exciting!
- Michael Bragdell, Karrigan Gluch, Ali Potasky: Mentorship programs are vital but must have clear expectations to be effective and mutually beneficial. All three shared how they started in the industry in working student positions and how they have worked their way up to success with the help of others.
- Christine Traurig: As a coach you should have in depth knowledge of the fundamentals/theory of dressage and be able to exhibit it with feel. Horses should always come first, then the rider, then the horse with the rider. Make sure to use consistent logic with horses as they follow the logic. It is always the rider's responsibility to teach the horse what you want, if a mistake happens evaluate how the aid was applied and try again.
- Audrie Brandt: Branding is all about integrity. Use social media to showcase your values and collaborate with other brands.
- Angela Jackson: Break movements into manageable steps for riders. Young horses need mental education as much as physical training.
- Beth Baumert: Always apply for the Dressage Foundation scholarships that you qualify for. Write clearly, zoom in on videos, and focus your applications.
- Susanne Lauda: The "L" Program provides deep insight into the science of movement and USDF rules, helping both professionals and amateurs become better show riders and coaches.
- Stephan Hienzsch: Volunteering is the backbone of USDF leadership and critical to the organization’s success.
A heartfelt thank you to Sarah Delahanty for helping organize this incredible program. I found the content extremely informative and inspiring, and I’m leaving with new tools to grow as a professional.
Thank you again to The Dressage Foundation for this opportunity, I hope every young professional has a chance to attend this wonderful program!
