Our Contributors
| About Our Contributors
| Articles and Issues
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| Allyson Wilson | Allyson Wilson currently rides Grand Prix Dressage and is located in Florida. She has earned her USDF Bronze and Silver Medals. | March 2006 "Selecting and Fitting the Saddle to the Rider" Co-contributor to January 2007 "Riding Back to Front" |
Angel Ozer  | Angel Ozer is a Grand Prix competitor and trainer based in Oklahoma City, OK and Wellington, Florida. She has earned her USDF Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals on horse she trained. She has earned her USDF Gold Freestyle Bar. Angel Ozer currently rides and trains several horses and students. | March 2006 "How to Ride a Dressage Test" April 2006 "Training Level" May 2006 "First Level" June 2006 "Second Level" October 2006 "X-Halt-Salute" March 2007 "Introduction to the Half Pass" March 2007 "Fine Tuning the Half Pass" June 2007 "How to Lengthen the Stride." March 2008
"Fine Tuning Your Freestyle" |
| Anne Howard | Anne Howard is a physical therapist, specializing in biomechanics and manual therapy for equestrians. She is also a FEI level dressage and freestyle competitor and quadrille rider. She has earned her USDF Bronze and Silver Medals. She is based in Ben Lomond, California | April 2006 "Balance for Riders" |
| Arlene Rigdon | Founder of Freedom Hill, Arlene Rigdon achieved the USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medals on horses she trained. She was also long-listed for the USET and worked with Begt Ljunquist for many years, as well as Melle Van Bruggen, when he was coach of the team. She was chosen to compete in all four Insilco National Dressage Championships and the Olympic Sports Festival. Arlene is a "S" Dressage judge and a "R" Sport Horse Breeding Judge; she has has also been the head judge on the American Holsteiner Horse Association inspection tour for 18 years. She has lectured and taught clinicals and forums all over the country. | April 2006 "Balance:The Bottom Line" May 2006 "The Importance of the Lower Levels" June 2006 "Lateral Balance" August 2006 "Concepts of Learning" September 2006 "Developing Forward Movement" February 2007 "Breeding the Sport Horse" |
Ashley Duda Foster | Ashley Duda Foster is the Head Hunter Coach of the Kansas State Women's Equestrian Team. | March 2007 "Using Lateral Work to Improve your Hunter" April 2007 "Showing the Hunter Horse" June 2007 "The Importance of a Horse's Stride in the Hunter Ring" July 2007 "Tips for Making a Good First Impression in the Hunter Ring" August 2007 "Using Poles to Improve Your Jumps" February 2008 "Setting New Goals April 2008 "Jump into Showing - How to Make your First Show a Success" May 2008 - How to Deal when the Road Get's Rough" June 2008 - "Finding Balance" |
| Beth Glosten, M.D. | Beth Glosten, M.D., now retired from the practice of Anesthesiology, runs her own pilates studio, Harmonia Body Balance, in Redmond, Washington. Beth is a USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medalist, and is a USDF "L" graduate with 'distinction'. | October 2007 "A Rider Training Scale" June 2008 "Tools for Riding in Balance" June 2008 "Balance Exercises 1 -4" Series |
| Carol O'Donnell Wilson | Carol O'Donnell Wilson is a Certified TTEAM(R) Practitioner 2 and a Centered Riding(R) Instructor Level 2. Her farm is in Meriden, Kansas | August 2006 "Tension Patterns in Performance Horses" |
Constance Clare-Newman 
| Constance Clare is an Alexander Technique teacher (AmSAT certified). She started many young horses, rode many at FEI levels and trained several up to Grand Prix. She worked and competed for four years in Germany and Austria. In Europe, Constance worked and trained in small private barns with trainers who shared their own background of study with George Wahl of Switzerland. As an Alexander Technique teacher, Constance has found that the principles of classical dressage and the Alexander Technique have much in common. She is located in the Bay Area, California. | Nov.-Dec. 2007 "Every Little Thing" March 2008 "The Alexander Technique as a Path to Harmony Between Horse and Rider" |
| Christine Rivlin | Christine Rivlin is a USDF certified instructor through fourth level, a USDF instructor certification faculty member, a USDF "L" judging program graduate, a USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist. Her foundation dressage background includes training for over 8 years with Lilo Fore, several years with Gerhard Poliz and Major Anders Lingren. More recently Christine has studied under Steffon Peters, Leslie Webb and Roger Seegert. She also clinics with Guenter Seeidel, Christine Stuckelberger, Conrad Schumacher, Lars Petersen and Lisa Wilcox. Christine Rivlin rides and trains in Petaluma, California | April 2008 "Showing Dressage: Building on the Levels" |
| Christine Rossi | Chris Rossi is located in the Bay Area, California | May 2007 "Yoga and Riding: A Journey for the Equestrian" |
| Dawn Fisher | Dawn Fisher has studied various systems of dressage. She uses a system of classical dressage, biomechanics and sports psychology. She has experience in working with green horse to grand prix. She is located in Colorado. | October 2007 "The Thirty Something Dressage Rider" February 2008 "Getting Past Discouragement" July/Aug 2008 "Tug of War" Highlights of a Clinic with Dr. Gerd Heuschmann |
| Deryn Stewart | Deryn Stewart has earned her USDF Bronze medal and is a Competitive Driver who has been long listed with USET Driving with three different horses. | April 2007 "Showing at Training and First Levels" Co-contributor to January 2007 "Riding Back to Front" Nov.-Dec. 2007 "Ground Training Before Putting a Horse to a Carriage" |
| Donna Armour | Donna Armour is a centered Riding (R) Instructor II | April 2006 "Balanced Seat - the basics" |
| Dr. Paul Ryding | Equine Vet | May 2008 "Lameness: Prevention & Management |
| Dr. Preston Hickman | Equine Vet | May 2006 "Safe Conditioning" August 2006 "Lameness in the Jumping Horse" |
Dr. Thomas Ritter 
| International clinician and author, Dr. Thomas Ritter, and his wife, Shana Ritter, operate a classical riding school out of White Horse Vale Lipizzans, a Lipizzan breeding facility, in Goldendale, Washington. Teaching a variety of students from all walks of life, with one common passion - a love for classical horsemanship, Dr. Thomas and Shana Ritter feel it is their mission to preserve and promote the knowledge and tradition of classical horsemanship. Believing that classical dressage is simply correct dressage, Dr. and Mrs. Ritter regularly compete with their horses, throughout the levels, from training level to FEI, and have enjoyed multiple championships and successes. Shana Ritter is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist. Additionally, they host a Summer Performance Series at White Horse Vale Lipizzans in which classical dressage exhibitions are performed for the public. To foster the passing of classical knowledge on to the next generations, Thomas and Shana Ritter run a comprehensive apprenticeship program, and accept students dedicated to the pursuit and preservation of classical horsemanship into the program periodically.
Dr. and Mrs. Ritter have been fortunate to have been students of some of the greatest masters of classical dressage in the 20th and 21st centuries, including:
* - Egon von Neindorff - of the highly esteemed classical riding institution, Reitinstitut Egon von Neindorff in Karlsruhe, Germany.
* - Karl Mikolka - Oberbereiter a.D. of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria, and former coach of the Brazilian Olympic Dressage Team.
* - Thomas Faltejsek - senior student of Egon von Neindorff
* - Dorothee Baumann-Faltejsek - senior student of Egon von Neindorff, highly-esteemed classical side-saddle rider, and author of "Im Damensattel: Eine Reitlehre fur die Frau"
* - Arthur Kottas - First Oberbereiter of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria
* - Charles de Kunffy - prolific author and clinician, of the now defunct Spanish Riding School of Hungary
* - Hubert Rohrer - of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria
* - Herwig Radnetter - of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria.. | January 2007 "The Balanced Seat" and "The Circle of Aids" February 2007 "The Lipizzan Horse" March 2007 "Dressage Movements: A Means to an End" June 2007 "Impulsion: Thrust and Energy Level" June 2007 " Balance: Thrust vs. Carriage" August 2007 "The Thinking Rider" September 2007 "Lateral Movements" and "The Shoulder-In" November 2007 "Longeing" February 2008 "Goals" March 2008 "The Importance of Riding in Groups" April 2008 "Classical Riding and Competition" May 2008 "Food for Thought" June 2008 "Balance" July/Aug 2008 "The History of Dressage - Starting with Xenophon" Series |
Elaine Cornell | Elaine Cornell owns Benediction Farm with her husband Ed. She has been an instructor and trainer in dressage for many years. She breeds warmblood sport horses. Elaine is located in Wichita, Kansas. | March 2006 Issue "Dressage for all disciplines" & "Clinic with Petra Heinrich" April 2006 "Early Foal Handling" May 2006 "Training the Young Horse" June 2006 "Bent or Straight" August 2006 "Relaxation-the Mind" September 2006 "Rhythm as an Indicator of Balance" October 2006 "What is the Half Halt?" March "That Mysterious Shoulder-In" & "Shoulder-In: The Next Level" June 2007 "Timing of the Leg" July 2007 "Beauty and the Barn" August 2007 "Take Control of Those Hands" October 2007 "Riding for Life" March 2008 "A Harmony of Minds" |
| Gail Bourquin | Gael Borquin has been a horsewoman for most of her life. She has ridden in clinics with Dr. Herri Van Schaik, Charles deKunffy, and Paul Belasik. She studied with Milos Welde at the Gestut Gschwendthof in Maria Anzback, Austria and Hubert Szaszkiewicz from Poland. Currently she rides in clinics with Cherie Beatty and Karl Mikolka. She owns Balymacrea Farm in Ohio. | July/Aug 2008: "Thoughts on the Classical Seat" |
| Gail Matheus | Gail Matheus is an USDF Bronze Medalist and a "L" Graduate | January 2007 "Examining the Hand" April 2007 "Considerations for Third Level Dressage" |
| Gigi Nutter | Gigi Nutter is a FEI level rider and U.S. Dressage Federation (USDF) Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist. She has won numerous Horse of the Year awards and Regional Championships at all levels. She is a "Certified Student" of SRS Oberbereiter Karl Mikolka and was a featured rider on Walter Zettle's "A Matter of Trust". | September 2007 "Knowledge Speaks, but Wisdom Listens" |
| Gina Krueger | Gina Krueger is a USDF Certified Instructor. Gina's education began under the tutelage of Suzanne Hoppman, who is now the Vice President of Education for the German national Equestrian Federation, and the author of the newly re-written "Principles of Riding." She spent several years in Germany in the German National Equestrian Federation Riding Program in an effort to understand the organization of their very successful Educational System. She has enhanced her education by years of participation in many USDF program, seminars and symposiums. Gina is located in Georgia. She teaches clinics in the U.S. and Internationally. | January 2007 "Let's Lunge Safely" |
| Holly Mason | | May 2008 " Creativity & Loving the Process" June 2008 - "Our Sixth Sense of Balance: Proprioception and it's role in riding" July/Aug 2008 ' "The Correct Elevation of The Forehand" |
| Ivetta Harte | | April 2008 "Correct Dressage Training & Solid Basics for Training" May 2008 "Tips for Memorizing Dressage Tests" June 2008 "Trot Triangles" |
| James Shaw | James Shaw, author of the book 'Ride From Within,' has been a student of the martial arts for over twenty years. Combining the structural balance of Tai Chi, the energy work of Chi Gong and the healing aspects of Laing Gong, James has created his unique "Tai Chi for Equestrians." He has worked with riders of all ages, disciplines and levels throughout the United States and United Kingdom. | May 2007 "Spread Your Wings to Enhance Your Balance and Rhythm" May 2007 "Bones, Breath and Beyond - Part One" June 2007 "Tai Chi for Equestrians - The Demonstrated Mounted Spread your Wings Exercise" |
| Jami Kment | Jami Kment is a USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist. Jami is currently ranked 13th in the nation with her Grand Prix partner Contingent Fee. She has been able to be a student of some of the most sought after teachers of our time. Jami has brought her students to the very top in competition including, Gladstone festival of champions, NARJYC, and numerous regional championships. She is also a USDF “L” graduate, a wife, and a mother of two. She teaches and trains out of Providence Farm, in Nebraska. Jami provides quality, positive education and training for the horse and rider. | Topline Ink Online Exclusive "The Young Rider - The Technical Information" September 2007 "At the Dressage Show" |
Jana Wagner Interviews (Photo Coming Soon!) | Jana Wagner is an USDF certified instructor through 4th level, a "L" judge graduate 'with distinction', a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist. She is the owner of Wally Woo Farm in La Cygne, KS | March 2006 Issue "What are the dressage basics" June 2006 "Shoulder -in" September 2006 "Rhythm in Dressage" January 2007 "What are the signs of a happy horse?" April 2007 "Advice for someone showing" April 2007 - "The difference between Intermediate I and Intermediate II tests" June 2007 - Theory Lesson "The Visual Effect of Measuring the Length of Stride." February 2008 "Setting Goals for Success" |
Jane Savoie 
Photo: Rhett Savoie | Jane Savoie is one of the most recognized names in dressage, and for a good reason. Her accomplishments and the breadth of her influence are impressive. She has been a member of the United States Equestrian Team and has competed for the US in Canada, Holland, Belgium, France and Germany. She was the reserve rider for the Bronze medal winning Olympic dressage team in Barcelona, Spain. She has been long-listed by the USET with several horses and has won nine Horse of the Year awards and three National Freestyle Championships.
Ms. Savoie is as well known as a coach, writer and speaker as she is for her competitive accomplishments. She was the 1996 and 2004 Olympic dressage coach for the Canadian 3-Day Event Team in Atlanta and Athens. She also coached several top dressage and 3- Day Event riders in their preparations for the 2000 Olympics and while in Sydney she helped rider Susan Blinks secure a bronze medal for the US dressage team. She is the author of 5 books, dvds and training programs. | March 2008 "Encourage Harmony by Riding with Soft Hands" April 2008 "Show Nerves" May 2008 "Leg Yield" |
| Jeanne Adams | Jeanne Adams is a HA Pony Club Graduate. | May 2006 "Cavalletti", June 2006 "Suppleness" September 2006 "Musical Rhythm" October 2006 "The Balanced Halt" & "The Jump and Halt Exercise" August 2007 "Successful Trailer Loading Tips" |
Jenny Rolf 
| Jenny Rolfe has been passionate about horses since childhood. After many years of experience in most disciplines, she became very keen to understand more about dressage. She spent several years studying in England with international trainers, then travelled to Spain where she discovered an immediate empathy with the Spanish Pure-bred horses. Having purchased her own Spanish Pure-bred stallions, Jenny took them to Lisbon in Portugal, to train with both Antonio Borba Monteira (Chief Instructor of the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art) and classical Mestre Luis Valenca.
On returning to England, Jenny’s continued exploration of the classical principles led her to discover the influence of a rider’s breathing on a horse. She teaches the art of lateral breathing to help the rider to find harmony and balance in body, mind and spirit. Jenny uses her stallions to demonstrate her methods of training. Her clients come from all over the world and include those professionally involved with horses, among them BHS trainers, physiotherapists and natural horsemanship instructors.
Jenny writes regularly for several magazines in the UK, Europe and the USA. She is also an equestrian artist and one of her works is exhibited in the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.
| Series of Articles for 2008 May 2008 "Breathing Life into Training: Breathing the Key to the Half-halt. June 2008:"Master the Balance and Master the Horse" July/Aug 2008: Breathe Life into Training: Learning the Power of Our Breathing" |
| Jim Masterson | Jim Masterson started Equine Massage while working on the Hunter-Jumper "A" horseshow Circuit. He developed the "masterson Method" and his client base grew to top level competitors in events such as the USEF Medal and the ASPCA Maclay Medal series, circuit Grand Prix horses, World Cup competitors and to horses that race for a living. Jim Masterson is scheduled to do workshops and seminars in the United States, Australia and United Kingdom. | July 2007 "Clinc Exercis for Performance Horses" July 2007 "Equine Massage" |
| Judith Cross-Strehlke | Judith Cross-Strehlke is a Level IV Advanced Centered Riding (R) Instructor. | April 2006 "Balance over Fences" May 2006 "Strengthen your Postition" |
Karen Everhart | Karen Everhart MEd. is an equine management consultant and a Centered Riding Instructor. Distance Horse Condtioning and Training. Karen is also the President of Rainbow Meadows Rescue and Retirement, Inc. | April 2006 "Goal setting: of balance and babysteps" June 2006 "Stretching and Flex-Ability" August 2006 "Don't Take My Breath Away" and "What's in a Breath" October 2006 "The Power of a Whoa" January 2007 "All Systems Go" July 2007 "The Elusive Saddle Fitting" |
| Kelly Walker | Kelly Walker has finished several horse to Grand Prix and trains riders of all levels. She enjoys participating in the USEF Young Horse Development Program. She coaches her daughter, Fallon Walker. Kelly owns Schwung Farm in Ohio. | September 2007 "Body Armor" March 2008 :Body Armor The Ground Work -Part Two |
Maribeth Wells 
| Maribeth Wells, a horsewoman for 35+ years, studies Classical Dressage with Paul Belasik and Dr. Thomas Ritter. Maribeth and her husband, Randy, own Wellshire Farm in Pennsylvania where she teaches and trains. | August 2007 "Components of a Good Positions" and "Getting the Most Out of Your Lessons" November 2007 "Longeing Tips" February 2008 "Motivation & Maintaining Momentum" |
| Melonie Kessler | Melonie Kessler is a "R" judge and one of ten in the U.S. accepted into the "S" judges program for the 2008 testing program. She has earned her USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medals. She teaches and trains in Moorpark, California. | October 2007 "Riding for All Ages" |
Philesha Chandler | Philesha Chandler has earned her USDF Silver and Bronze medals. She competed in the North American Young Riders Championships. She was one of the six selected from numerous applicants to participate in the Robert Dover - Next American Dressage Star television show. Philesha Chandler WON the TV Reality Show Contest of the Next American Dressage Star. She is now located in Florida and is the Assistant Trainer to Robert Dover. | Online Exclusive The Dressage Show Checklist. February 2008 Interview "Pursuing Your Dreams" |
Rebecca Moore | BHSAI and a Pony Club DC | July 2006 "What is Eventing?" and "Starting the Young Horse over Fences" August 2006 "Jumping Tip - Relaxation vs. Tension" September 2006 "Rhythm and Jumping" & "Gaits & Rhythm" March 2007 "Starting Out Right: Lateral Movements" May 2007 "Time Off" Starting Fitness for the Horse" |
Rebecca Rigdon 
| Rebecca Rigdon has earned her USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Rider medals on a horse that she trained. She has 8 students that have received their Bronze medals, and 2 with their Silver medals. She graduated 'with distinction' from the USDF judges L-program and is a ‘r’ judge. She was invited to be a demo rider for the USDF National Symposium in 2002, on her mare Milan, with Conrad Schumacher and to attend the Trainer's Forum in California on January 20-21, 2001, also instructed by Mr. Schumacher, as well as riding in Young Rider's clinics with him in 1996. Continuing in 2003 she was also invited to be a demo rider for the up coming USDF National Symposium with Kyra Kyrkland and in 2006 with Ingrid Klimke with two horses. She has spent three winters competing and training in Florida, and this last winter in San Diego, California. She currently trains with Conrad Schumacher and Christine Traurig. In the breeding arena, in 2006 her mare Una Bela was not only champion of her site, but she received the second highest score for mares in the history of the American Holsteiner Horse Association with 55 bonits (8877799). | April 2007 Issue: "Riding Grand Prix Dressage" June 2007 "The Extended Gaits" |
Sarah Martin | Sarah Martin is a USDF Certified Instructor through 4th level. She earned her USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals. She is a "L" judge graduate with 'distinction'. Sarah resides in Colorado. | October 2006 "Half-Halt Insights" January 2007 - "What are the signs of a happy horse?" March 2007 "Lateral Movements: Their Use and Development Through the Levels." April 2007 "Tips for the Dressage Show" May 2007 "Staying Fit to Ride" September 2007 "Correct Neck Development" October 2007 "Photo Lessons" April 2008 - "Second Level: The Black Hole of Dressage" |
| Simmon Battram | Simon Battam has been riding for 35 years and studying dressage for the past 22 years. He passed the BHS Intermediate Instructors certificate whilst starting his study of dressage. Simon spent 2 years in South Germany under instruction from Herr Eichinger, who was the Chief Instructor at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna for over 25 years. Simon uses the classical approach and specializes in behavioural problems and work-in-hand. He lives in Bedfordshire, UK, with his wife, Equestrian Journalist, Gill Stuart. Simon Battam clinics in the US and Internationally. | July/Aug. 2008 - The Shoulder-In |
| Steve White | | June "Flexiblity" |
| Sue Clarke | Sue Clarke is an "L" Judge Graduate 'with distinction' and an USDF Bronze Medalist. She's competed in the U.S. and Canada to Prelim. Levels. | February 2007 "The Thoroughbred" April 2007 "Showing - Eventing: Are you Ready?" August 2007 "Why Stops and Run-Outs Happen" |
| Susan Lang | Susan Lang is a "L" judge graduate and is a KDEA Board member. | April 2006 "Scribing for the Judge" June 2006 "Clinic Notes" February 2007 "The Dutch Warmblood" April 2007 "Are You Ready for Second Level?" |
| Suzy Brown | | July 2007 "How to Correctly Market Your Horse or Horse Business" July 2007 "The Sale Flyer Make-Over Guide" |
Tim Griest, Sr. | Tim Griest, Sr. is a show manager organizer for dressage and horse trials. He's previously competed twice in the Rolex. He is the father-in-law of Terryn Griest (founder & publisher of Topline Ink Equestrian Journal). He owns Briar Fox Farm with wife, Bonnie. | July 2006 "Tim & Charisma's Excellent Adventure in the Rolex" |
| Vickie Sharp | Vickie Sharp is an "L" Judge Graduate, a USDF Bronze Medalist and has competed in dressage to Prix. St. Georges. She resides in Oklahoma. | May 2006 "Stretching the Horse" August 2006 "Starting with Relaxation & Confidence" April 2007 "Viewing Fourth Level and Prix St. George Tests" August 2007 "Preparing the Young Horse for it's Show Career" |
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