During my junior years I rode under the tutelage of Raul de Leon and competed successfully in hunters, jumpers, equitation, dressage and eventing. During this time I also rode horses for Glen View Stables and received help from Ralph Caristo.
After my junior years I was accepted and attended the Swedish National Equestrian Center in Strömsholm, Sweden. This training was under the direction of Major Hans Wikne (Olympian, National Dressage Team Trainer and Head of the Swedish Dressage Judges) and Major Per Fresk (Olympic Show Jumping rider). During my two years of training at Strömsholm, I furthered my riding and knowledge while competing in dressage and jumping and the training of young horses.
Subsequently, I spent 3 years in Europe (Switzerland and Germany). The first six months with Paul Weier, a multiple National Champion in Show Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. The next 2 1/2 years were divided between Walter Christensen and Jürgen Koschel, both leading dressage trainers in Germany as well as National Team coaches.
I returned home to the states where I developed a clientele, training and instructing in hunters/jumpers eventing and primarily dressage. I later had the opportunity to be Director of Sag Pond Farm on Long Island where the focus was on hunters and jumpers. In order to maintain and further refine my skills, I attended clinics with such notables as Bertalan DeNemethy and Maria Gunther.
For the last 15 years I have been based in Virginia. I have worked with hunters and jumpers as well as dressage horses and riders at various levels. During this time I have made periodic business trips to Europe to scout out talented horses. I also worked for six months at Stall Eichhorst, under the direction of German Olympic Show Jumping Team medalist Peter Luther.
For a period of six years I was the rider and trainer for Hidden Trail Farm,LLC. During that time I successfully competed in the jumper division up to and including the Grand Prix level. I competed at such shows as WEF, Spruce Meadows, Kentucky, Hampton Classic, Lake Placid, Beacon Hill, Atlanta and Biltmore. My most notable successes would be winning the Cherry Blossom Grand Prix at the Atlanta Spring Classic and a 9th place finish in the $200,000 Atco Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Spruce Meadows.
I am also a licensed USEF Judge(r) for the Hunter, Hunter Seat Equitation and Jumper divisions.
