Rhumba and I qualified for US Dressage Finals in Lexington, Kentucky! Unfortunately, my travel for the USDF Instructor/Trainer Certification workshops interferes too much with the training and travel schedule necessary to get to Nationals so we're declining our invitation this year. You better believe we'll shoot to be there next year!
​Nonetheless, it's so exciting to have qualified to compete against some of the nation's best professionals and Grand Prix! My goal this year was to break 65% at Grand Prix and we did it at the right time - on a 66% in our Regional Championship, earning us 3rd Place in the class and a invitation to US Dressage Finals by Wildcard score. Go Rhumba! 

I just returned from an absolutely fabulous trip out west where I began the process to become a USDF Certified Instructor/Trainer. The workshops were held at Shaman's Circle Ranch in Midway, Utah by the Utah Dressage Society. I have to admit that when I left, I thought that certification was important, I believed in it and I hoped that our country would continue to head to a place where certification was considered more of a requirement. After attending the first two workshops, I believe that even more strongly and am proud to be taking part in the program. Though the program allowed for some variety of style and approaches, the main points were driven home very clearly and I think we all left with improvements to how we think through our lessons, prioritize and set our standards! It was an honor to be learning alongside some other talented, motivated and successful young trainers. Thank you to The Dressage Foundation for the grant that made this trip possible for me! 

I spent a little extra time hiking in Utah, and then met a friend in Sun Valley, Idaho where we were lucky to observe a couple of schooling days at River Grove Farm with Debbie McDonald and company. Soaking up that kind of education after an intense four days in Utah was a total treat.

Thanks to UDS and Shaman's Circle Ranch for the hospitality - the workshop was super well run and organized and the farm with Mt. Timpanogos in the background was breathtaking! All the demo horses and riders deserve a big thank you as well. Thanks also to the generous folks at River Grove Farm for letting us be flies on the wall - it was wonderful!