Bulletin
2011: Feb 11, May 22, May 23, June 12, July 7, July 27, August 5, October 9, October 16, November 8, December 31.
2010: Dec 31, Dec 10, Nov 1, Oct 4, Sep 27, Aug 22, Apr 22,
Mar 31, Mar 29, Mar 22, Mar 17, Mar 7, Feb 16, Jan 10.
2009: Nov 26, Nov 19, Oct 12, Sep 27, Sep 7, Jun 19, Apr 30, Mar 31, Mar 25, Jan 24.
2008: Nov 18, Oct 9, Aug 12, Jun 25, May 8, Apr 24, Mar 17, Feb 5.
2007: Dec 31, Nov 26, Nov 15, Oct 2, Aug 20, Jul 12, Jun 18, May 17, Apr 5, Mar 14,
Feb 22,
Jan 28, Jan 5.
2011 has sprinted to its finish line and what a year it has been! Our first year operating Hassler Dressage out of the new training facility at Riveredge has been memorable and fulfilling in providing inspirational, educational opportunities for our equestrian community. With exciting clinicians, seminars, and events throughout the year, 2011 brought thousands of visitors to Riveredge, all for the love of horses and the pursuit of knowledge.
2011 also brought some departures and arrivals. Two dearly beloved members of our team, Paul Melzer and Emily Covington, moved back to their home in Redlands, California in late September. Michelle Glaspey of Bridgeton, NJ joined us as our new stable manager in late June and we welcomed Matt Anzaldo of Jennersville, PA, who joined our team in late December as office manager and bookkeeper. We are grateful to have such dedicated and talented people invested in Hassler Dressage, both from our earliest foundation through our most recent stages of growth and development. We take this opportunity to thank each member of our team for their hard work and personal investment into the success of Hassler Dressage.
Additionally, we take this opportunity to thank our family of resident clients who share each day with us at Riveredge. It is a joy to watch you enjoy your horses, this facility, and each other! We congratulate you on the successes of 2011 and look forward to growing together in the year ahead. Each of you make every day more meaningful and we thank you for being part of our lives at Riveredge.
At the training center, we are awaiting the completion of the Clubhouse, the part of the building we do not currently inhabit which includes eduction rooms, office space and entertaining areas. With all the furniture and finishing touches coming together in the magnificent space of the lower and upper Clubhouse, we look forward to the fully utilizing the new facility and hosting our 2012 events with abundant style and atmosphere. Additionally in 2012, we are looking forward to the arrival of Rousseau's life-size bronze. Artist Jean Claggett has sent the model off to the foundry, with hopes to deliver the finished piece in early spring.
Our first winter event will be a theory course taught by Charles de Kunffy, a terrific winter study break for riders, trainers, and judges alike. We look forward to welcoming Charles back to Riveredge and to indulging in his knowledge and inspiration for the weekend. We also look forward to the return of Michael Klimke, Steffen Peters, and Debbie McDonald for the 2012 season, in addition to other exciting new resources. Look for more details of our 2012 schedule in the weeks ahead!
To all who have shared the journey of 2011 with us, we wish you and yours a joyful New Year's celebration, fulfillment and prosperity in the year ahead! We look forward to welcoming old friends and new in the year ahead to furthering our growth and education together as riders, trainers, instructors, and breeders.
And to all our beloved horses, thank you for all you give us each day--your trust, your talents, your heart. Thank you for all you teach us and all you inspire in us, through the good times and the bad. You remind us each day exactly how lucky we are!! May 2012 bring us all healthy horses, successful ventures, and fulfillment in all we do!
Happy New Year to all of you!
~Scott and Susanne Hassler
Our fall competition season wrapped up with a beautiful weekend in Lexington, Virginia for the GAIG Region One Finals. Foggy mornings and crisp temperatures let us all know the seasons were changing but what better weather for horses? Scott coached a number of students through the weekend and Kya Endreson made her debut on Pik L at the FEI Young Rider level. Scott had teasingly warned Kya that if she missed a flying change in her tempi series, she would have to run round the perimeter of Riveredge without a break (a good couple miles)! She scored a high 69% in the FEI Young Rider Team test and made perfect changes throughout; her FEI Young Rider Individual test was almost as good…but with one mistake at the last change! While Kya and Pik L after their debut are now leading the Region One FEI Young Rider scores for 2012, Kya has her running shoes on, making good on her coach's conditions!
Baroncelli and I had our last Grand Prix for the season in the indoor coliseum at the horse park in the Grand Prix Championships. It had been a heavy month of competition for Mr. B, first with the CDI at Devon, then 2 weeks later BLM's, then a week later Regionals. Baroncelli came through for me with an honest performance, showing his quality and our potential. We put in a solid test and earned a 66.7% from all three judges, claiming the Reserve Championship title at Grand Prix behind Jim Kofford and Rhett. We are happy for the experience that 2011 gave us as a new team and look forward to strengthening our work together over the winter season.
Our team here at Hassler Dressage has been gearing up the past weeks for two big back-to-back events this month. This week, we welcome over 60 trainers from all over North America for the 7th annual Young Dressage Horse Trainers Symposium. Steffen Peters is joining Scott this year and the format changes to our program are bound to keep the program demanding and interesting! This event is always inspiring and gives a fantastic opportunity for all of us to become energized and focused for the winter training season ahead. Next weekend, Debbie McDonald will join us for a public clinic...giving much to the same inspiration to our greater community of students and dressage enthusiasts. We are grateful to have these powerful learning experiences as part of the fabric of our day-to-day lives and look forward to seeing many of you there!
This week started with a crushing blow: the tragic and unexpected loss of a lovely friend, student, and beloved member of our dressage community, Bea Samaniego. Bea suffered a devastating fall from her hayloft Sunday night, October 9th. She was flown to shock trauma and put on life support but her injuries proved to be too devastating. Bea passed away on Monday, October 10. Recognizing our community's need to gather as Bea's friends, we opened our home for a gathering last Friday evening--to grieve, to remember, to pray.
Over 20 people gathered for a warm and healing time of prayer and remembrance. We shared stories, we laughed, we cried--we remembered Bea for the friend and inspiration she was to each of us every day. Bea's closest friends spoke of her with such intimacy and candor, it was clear she gave herself as fully to these relationships as I had witnessed in her beautiful relationship with her horse. Bea was earnestly motivated to be her personal best in every aspect of her life...as a person, a friend, as a rider, a wife. Bea always kept the highest standards for herself yet always demonstrated the utmost humility and grace. She was the consummate lady and yet the hardest working horsewoman you'll ever know! She did everything herself--from mowing the fields to fixing the fences to hauling hay or her horses wherever they needed to go. Yet she'd take time to learn authentic Mexican cooking to make delicious meals for her beloved husband of 30-years, José, or to better herself by learning to play the piano...even enduring the torture of public recitals amongst her far younger piano-playing peers. Bea reminded each of us that being 'satisfied' is the beginning of the end to all personal fulfillment and growth.
I can't tell you how much Bea touched my heart every time she would come to Riveredge. Whether for a lesson, a clinic, or a social gathering at my home, Bea always overflowed with warmth and benevolence---she had a sparkle in her eye that never wavered. She was the epitome of the dressage enthusiast...one who loved to watch the sport and aspire to the greatest heights, one who loved equally her relationship with her horse, always thinking forward with a goal and a firm commitment to be the best she could personally be. She loved her dear "Romy" (Romanche) infinitely and gave him an excellent life, filled with long trail rides at Fair Hill, dressage at home in the early mornings (her neighbor secretly watching while sipping coffee), dressage at Riveredge, at Blue Waters, and other places of study. Bea was a proud and beautiful member of our community and always showed terrific interest in those about her who loved horses too.
I'm so happy that she most recently spent a week in Italy with one of her closest friends...a real lifetime adventure for both of them spent exploring the history, the art, and the culture. I'm so happy she took the time away from her beloved husband, her horses, birds, and dog for such an adventure. She was brave enough to "let go" for a short while and take life in on a whole other scale--- a lesson for all of us to not put such important things on hold until "someday."
I can't imagine how her dear husband Jose is feeling. I am filled with a deep aching loss upon her sudden and tragic passing. She will be dearly missed and I know I will think of her at noon on every Monday from hereafter. Last Monday she would have come for her usual lesson.... I have to believe she was already riding perfect flying changes in heaven.
Bea, I dedicate to you my winning Grand Prix Championship ride aboard Baroncelli this past weekend at the BLM's! I imagined you riding every flying change with us...hearing your burst of delight for the ease and beauty of each one! Thank you for filling my heart and spirit with love and inspiration these past few years. Thank you for being truly extraordinary and inspiring us all to live more fully than we might.
Late summer 2011 was marked by surprising challenges of nature! Unprecedented amounts of rain fell in Maryland as hurricane season warmed up and tropical storms past through. Tremors from the Virginia earthquake surprised us, rocking our mighty fortress of a stable though thankfully leaving no trace of harm. Hurricane Irene passed through, dumping 18 inches of rain but thankfully sparing any real damage to Riveredge, only a few lost branches here and there! With such a wet end to our summer season, we have heartily welcomed fall's arrival!
Devon 2011, of course, had its share of rain, but would it be Devon without the rain?? This year, we sponsored the Foal Championship and focused our energies on educational outreaches--Scott and our dear friend Ingo Pape indulged the Devon crowds with two lectures, one directed toward the breeders, the other toward the trainers, riders, and owners. We were delighted by the number who attended the first lecture and our party to follow. Over 100 were in attendance for our announcement of the winner of our first annual Breeders Challenge Sweepstakes! Wendy and Marty Costello of Kent Island Sporthorses are the proud breeders of this year's Champion "Royal Rousseau KIS" by Harmony's Rousseau out of Royal Princess (Royal Prince-Banter). The Costello's were presented with a check for $5000 and also the offer of $20,000 to purchase the foal! The Costello's have accepted the offer and we are now arranging the pre-purchase details. Debbie Morrison of NJ was proud breeder of the Reserve Champion, "Locket TF" by Harmony's Locksley. Debbie received a cash reward of $2000 along with this honorable distinction!
In the Performance Division of Dressage at Devon, Scott was ringside all day coaching riders and trainers he supports throughout the year; it was rewarding to see the success of his students in the Young Horse divisions all the way up through the Grand Prix. Mel Montagano, one of our University of Delaware students and FEI Young Riders, finished the last competition of her Young Rider years with three solid performances at Devon. Mel and her mare Ga Deva are now going to focus on Brentina Cup preparations.
Baroncelli and I (Susanne) had the fun of experiencing Devon as a new and young pair on the Grand Prix scene (click photos above)--it was a first Grand Prix CDI for both of us! The warmth and love that poured forth from the crowd when we first entered the arena on Friday night made our debut an unforgettable experience!!! Thank you to each of you who were there showing such an outpouring of support!!!!! Baroncelli gave his all in the Grand Prix and while our test was far from perfect, the judges were generous in their scoring. It was memorable and FUN and so nice to be in front of our hometown crowd! Saturday night for the Grand Prix freestyle, we had the challenge of warming up during the Australian cowboy's demonstration at the break. The crowd's cheers electrified the atmosphere and made warm-up a bit more exciting than usual. Just as it was our turn to enter the arena for our freestyle, the rain came again! These are all the moments that disappear after the bell rings, the music starts, and we embark upon the freestyle we've worked hard to prepare. Being such a green pair, we made lots of mistakes but the love and harmony we experience together was also well noted :-). For me, that was a most essential outcome to celebrate at this starting point of our career!
After the freestyle, I was overcome by the incredible honor given to me by the Devon committee during the awards ceremony! They selected me for the John IP Perry memorial trophy...an award given for sportsmanship and character. It humbled me to stand before the Devon crowd and receive such an award! It meant the world to me to be honored in memory of the man who-- for me-- had always typified the Devon tradition by his class, composure, and grace. Thank you to all at Devon who were part of that decision! You touched my heart on profound levels and made Devon 2011 even more unforgettable! Next stop for Baroncelli and me: the BLM and the Region One Finals! Looking forward to seeing you all there!!
Our weekend with Steffen Peters was humbling, inspiring, and heartwarming, all at once! What a privilege it was to have such quality time with such a special 
person and remarkable horseman! Scott selected riders with horses at various levels of training, yet the training message through the weekend was patience, clarity, and respect--both for the aids and for our horse! We all grew immensely from Steffen's example of quality horsemanship and impeccable training...and all the examples of lovely horses and riders!
Steffen was enormously generous to share the weekend spotlight with his previous Olympic teammate Courtney King Dye. Courtney wasn't able to join us, but she was certainly there in spirit! 
A huge silent auction took place in her honor with some extraordinary donations on the table...among them, personal treasures from Steffen's 2010 Kentucky World Equestrian Games medal-winning experiences. Steffen is first class, through and through! He not only donated a one of a kind autographed cap bearing the words Ravel WEG Champion, but he also gave his very own "Thank You Ravel" memory book...a beautiful collection of images from three different photographers, capturing the many beautiful moments of his Bronze medal victory! Both were top sellers of the Silent Auction and made their new owners especially proud!
Courtney sent a couple of her horsey figurines, her latest creations that are also part of her ongoing physical therapy! Both sold for impressive prices and will be treasured by their new owners for a 
lifetime! Donations from many, many generous people filled our Link and at the end of our Saturday festivities, we'd raised over $10,000 (read more). With Sunday's final Bruster's ice cream sales and further silent auction closings, we'd tallied well over $8500 for our dear friend Court. It was a heartwarming to see such an outpouring of support from all in attendance. Courtney asked that we share the following letter of thanks, which we did on Saturday before the lunch break began:
In a way, it's good that I'm not there; I'd be hopeless at giving a speech because I'm utterly speechless. The amount of incredible generosity shown amazes me. This was an enormous amount of work for Susanne, thank you. Scott, beyond the discounted training sessions I'm sure there was a whole lot of behind the scenes work and organization, thank you. Steffen, providing this fantastic opportunity to hold this at the same time as improving peoples' educations was enough, and donating this unique and special gift you had made for yourself is over the top, thank you. The donors, I can't begin to tell you how touched I am at your help, thank you. The Malones, providing this extraordinary facility, thank you.
And all of those who care enough to come, thank you, thank you, thank you. The greatest memory I have from coming out of the coma surrounds the Hasslers. They came to visit me, and the love they showed felt palpable. We all know that Susanne is a loving person, but this was extreme. I don't remember much of what went on, but my heart will always feel that love. My brain may not remember, but my heart does.
I want you to know that this fundraiser comes at a perfect time. My medical trust (which floors me in it's generosity itself) is trickling out. Unfortunately, insurance caps out, so my therapies are still needed but no longer covered. Plus I have to pay for help care when needed, necessary modifications to the house, and therapy equipment. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. You make this process and my eminent COMPLETE recovery much more doable.
While most of the items sold during our Grand Finale on-line effort, we have chosen to wrap up Courtney's Corner fundraiser at Dressage At Devon and let the masses there show their support for Courtney's continued rehabilitation. 
Among the treasures that will be sold at Devon are a handcrafted vase made using hair from Courtney's Olympic mount Mythilus and a huge bucket of Cosequin products donated by Nutramax. We are continuing our Raffle sales for the one-week vacation in the Dominican Republic at a private villa in Cabarete...a dream vacation for 4 people with private maid service and spectacular beachfront amenities at the Caribbean's surfing capital. Call our office to secure your raffle tickets OR look for us at Gladstone next weekend, where we'll be supporting our FEI Jr and YR Kya Endreson and Jill Kemenosh in their participation at Nationals.
Join all of us at Hassler Dressage on Tuesday evening September 27 at Devon for a very special educational and social event with our special guest Ingo Pape, who will speak on "Strategies to Breed a Top Prospect in Today's Competitive Global Market" as the first of a two part educational series during Dressage At Devon. Please RSVP and join us for some great food, education, and inspiration--along with the wrap up to our Courtney's Corner Fundraiser and the announcement of our Breeders Challenge Sweepstakes winner!! We look forward to seeing you there!
Goodness, how summer is flying by! Somehow, we've been successful at making it as busy as humanly possible too--but with all good things! Our Region One FEI Jr Team brought home the Team Gold Medal from 2011 NAJYRC after surviving brutally hot conditions in Kentucky! We are so proud of them and happy for both Region One team's experiences at such a big venue! The summer heat has challenged all of us and while we are getting through, we are all yearning for the cooler days that may lie ahead. This morning's light morning temperature of only 66 degrees is a happy indication that we may be getting through the worst of it!
We were thrilled to welcome Michelle Glaspy to our Hassler Dressage Team in late July. She has stepped into the responsible role of Stable Manager and is already doing a beautiful job. Many of you know Michelle from her years at Dover Saddlery as well as her association with Blue Waters Farm. We are blessed to have such a capable and passionate horsewoman join our team!
A less happy announcement is the transition which lies ahead in September. Our friends and team members Paul Melzer and Emily Covington, are heading back to California. Paul and Emily have been enormously instrumental in the design work and public expression of Hassler Dressage. We have been blessed to have their friendship and talent invested in our endeavors on so many valuable levels. Thankfully, both will continue their work for us remotely--Paul will continue to manage our website and produce our beautiful ads, and Emily will continue her freelance work in writing meaningful articles. Both have been treasures, true gems at the heart of our team. We will miss them dearly.
We are earnestly preparing for our clinic with Steffen Peters next weekend and are excited about a fundraiser for Courtney King-Dye we are holding at the same time! Steffen's training is always inspirational and what better time to lend a hand to a friend in need! Courtney's medical insurance is no longer supporting her rehabilitation needs and we're hoping this fundraiser will offer her support to forge ahead in her recovery. The fundraiser will include a giant Silent Auction with items from Draper Therapy, Classic Equine, EquiCore Concepts, Dover Saddlery, Hassler Dressage stallion services, training packages, and more! Bruster's ice cream will also be sold for the fundraiser.... what could be sweeter? We have a great turnout already pre-registered for this event and we look forward to many more showing up for immeasurable inspiration from Steffen's teaching, quality riding, and the opportunity to make a difference. Hope to see you there!
We are so proud of our FEI Young Rider Mel Montagano and our FEI Junior rider Kya Endreson! Our entire Hassler Dressage team and family wishes the girls success as they begin competition at the 2011 North American Junior Young Rider Championships in Lexington, KY, representing USDF Region One! Kya is currently ranked as the #1 Junior in the country!! Go Kya!!! Mel's Young Rider team from Region One also has a good chance for the Gold!!! Good luck to you all! Most of all, HAVE FUN and enjoy the experience of a big team and individual competition! The NAJYRC is our Jr Olympics in equestrian sport and great fun for all these young equestrians to compete at a multi-discipline competition. Even the Reiners show up! 
The Kentucky Horse Park is a perfect venue for this Championship as well...inspiring and rich in its history and opportunities. It is the seat of our country's equestrian organizations...the USDF, the USEF, many breed associations headquarters, and of course the site of the 2010 World Equestrian Games. The girls will have the thrill of competing in the same arena where Steffen Peters recently won his Bronze Medal and Totilas made dressage history!! Good luck girls! Have fun!!! We're with you in spirit!
With the wrap of our Spring/Early Summer show season, Team HD had much to celebrate! Our FEI Young Riders Jill Kemenosh and Mel Montagano swept their divisions at the last qualifier for the 2011 NAJYRC, held in Doswell, VA. Jill and Nelzon won the team and individual tests, earning consistent scores of 68+% while Mel placed 2nd with 65+%. The two girls are two of four qualified riders now selected for the Region One team! Meanwhile, our FEI Junior rider Kya Endreson put in three solid performances aboard Horses Unlimited Pik L, earning scores of 68% to 71% in her FEI Jr team, individual and freestyle performances! Kya and Pik L maintain their lead of the national rankings coming into the 2011 NAJYRC...congratulations Kya!!! Scott and the girls will be heading to KY for the NAJYRC the last week of July! Karen Clark of Medford, NJ, who joined our team last fall with her new Grand Prix horse Prince Brilliare had a productive and successful debut at the Doswell show as well. It was a joy to support them as they got their feet wet in the competition arena for the first time together and for Karen, to head down centerline again after 5 years!! Baroncelli was his usual generous, wonderful self and he and Susanne made big improvements in their Grand Prix performance, placing 2nd in a large FEI Test of Choice class.
Now with the heat of summer upon us, we are enjoying an abundance of visitors here in Chesapeake City! 
We've had the joy of welcoming to our stable for short term training some exciting youngsters from our years of breeding at Hilltop! A most stunning 4-year old son of Harmony's Davidoff Hit arrived two days ago with his owner Catherine Cheney and trainer Eliza Sydnor. Double oh Seven was conceived when we had first imported Davi and were putting together his first foal crop. Harmony Sporthorses gave a breeding to Hilltop and we chose the Festrausch daughter 
Florette --a combination we had great hopes for! To our delight, this handsome colt Double oh Seven was the Inspection Site Champion that year and has matured into a most stunning young man! We also had the joy of working with Jessica McTaggart and her Bugatti-Riverman-Cor Noir gelding named Belotti, bred by Oldenburg Farm but produced by the mare River Girl who was a 2nd generation mare from the Hilltop program, produced by one of our foundation mares we had selected as a yearling. It is so fulfilling to see these extraordinary youngsters grown up and making their riders dreams come true!
Our guest wing is also full with visitors here for several months of training--their own summertime retreats! Among our many weekly training visitors, we welcome Mary Irish from upstate NY, Naomi Parry from Annapolis, and Paige Windham's two Friesian stallions Titus and Bogart who travelled all the way from Texas for a few months of training!! It's been a joy to have these lovely horses and riders at our stable for the summer!
We look forward in the week ahead to providing a support to our local community by giving a clinic to the St. Augustine Pony Club and Unicorn Farm riders, many of whom are preparing for the Pony Club Nationals. We also hope you will join us for our Equine Physical Therapy Seminar on July 23-- a "must" event for any serious horseman who wants to optimize his/her horse's physical development.
Never a dull moment in Chesapeake City! With summer nights under the stars listening to music at the local hot spots, or a quick dip in the Chesapeake Bay at the end of a long, hot day, we have a great way to relax, cool down and enjoy each other and our company! Wish you ALL could join us!
During the last weeks of May, we had the privilege of watching the celebrated artist Jeanne Claggett work on the 1/3 size rendition of her soon-to-be-released life size sculpture of our flagship stallion Harmony's Rousseau. Jeanne has produced many famous sculptures, including the bronze of Bruce Davidson at Rolex which so many have appreciated outside the stadium at the KY Horse Park.
Jeanne put 200% into capturing Rousseau's expressions, observing the stallion in his stall, in work, and also in 
numerous locations outdoors. Rousseau posed like a Champion at each opportunity, somehow recognizing this was time was dedicated to him. Rousseau even had the privilege of meeting his own image and gave Jeanne a big thumbs up with a classic stallion snort!
The life size (or larger) image will be cast in bronze and placed in a beautiful setting here at Riveredge. The trail mark of a great stallion is to be memorialized in a life size bronze; Rousseau indeed deserves this honor. Though such a beautiful property as Riveredge hardly needs improvement, the grounds here will forever be embellished by Rousseau in his proud stance, his magnificence and grace captured for all time. Jean's website is Atelier West.
What a big weekend for Hassler Dressage! With members of our Hassler Dressage team active in three states over one weekend, we have a lot to share! Scott was in Chicago in his USEF coaching role for the first of three selection trials for the 2011 World Championships for Young Horses. We're thrilled that Emily Wagner again qualified for Verden with her US bred stallion Wake Up! Congratulations Emily!! (Both Emily and her mother Janna were participants at our 2010 YDHTS!) Scott heads to California tomorrow for the West Coast Selection Trials and the following weekend to Leesburg, VA for the East Coast Selection Trials. Good luck to all this year's competitors!!
One of our University of Delaware students and FEI Young Riders Mel Montagano travelled to the Westbrook Hunt Club in CT to participate in an FEI Young Rider qualifying event. She placed 2nd in both the Team and Individual tests with 64% and 64.5% and had a highlight score with her Freestyle, 68%. Congratulations to Mel and her beautiful mare Ga Deva!
Several others of us hit the road with 7 horses and travelled to Leesburg, VA for the PVDA Spring Dressage Show. another USDF qualifiying event for the North American Jr Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC). 
What a great show it was! Kya Endreson aboard Horses Unlimited's Hanoverian stallion Pik L had a sensational first outing and won both days of the FEI Junior competition. Kya and Pik L are now the leading Junior pair in the country in the qualifiers for the NAJYRC! Jill Kemenosh, our University of Delaware student and FEI Young Rider also had success with her KWPN gelding Nelzon. Jill placed 2nd with good scores and showed unparalleled elegance in the arena. Sara Hassler (yes, our now 15 year old daughter!) rode with remarkable composure (well beyond her years and experience) in her first FEI Junior Qualifiers. Sara and her Westphalian mare Felina placed 3rd and 4th and for their first time in the competition arena together earned some very valuable experience, not to mention--she made her mamma very proud!
Our assistant trainer Ashley Madison had a super weekend aboard Harmony's lovely Hanoverian stallion Locksley, Susie Granville's KWPN gelding Wilton, and her personal horse, a 11 year old Rheinlander gelding Lugano. Ashley rode Harmony's Locksley to two 2nd place finishes with scores in the mid-60's at Third Level. 
The pair has matured considerably over the last year and it was great fun to see them shine. Ashley rode Wilton to a convincing win at 2nd level with a 69+%. Wilton is for sale and gained a lot of attention at this show with his impressive presence and big, expressive gaits. Ashley placed 2nd with a 64+% and also won her first Prix St. Georges on Lugano, rounding out a busy but successful show for our assistant trainer! Congratulations to Ashley!
With Scott away at the MidWest Selection Trials and having 9 riders to coach alone, I wasn't sure this would be the best weekend for my first Grand Prix aboard Harmony's Baroncelli--- though I was so eager and excited to start my career with him! I felt well prepared, however, so I chose to go for it and get that first Grand Prix together under my belt! It had been 12 years since I competed Hilltop's Parabol at Grand Prix and boy, did it feel good to get back in the Grand Prix arena!! :-) Though the test had some weaknesses we can readily clean up, we delivered a respectable performance and earned a 65+% from a tough judge. That certainly gave us some confidence and put a big smile on our faces and in my heart!
Team HD was in high gear these past days!!! Richard Malmgren (our Sales Manager) was our treasured anchor man, handling everything at the show from stable management to photography to moral support! The rest of our team back home did a beautiful job caring for our many wonderful horses left behind, under the direction of our wonderful new stable manager Kim Durham. I felt great confidence to arrive back home and find both the horses and the facility in such beautiful condition. What a blessing to have such an excellent team! Stay tuned--it's a busy season and many more updates will soon follow!
Suffice it to say, I've been terribly negligent in posting bulletins about the goings-on at Hassler Dressage! What wonderfully busy, productive months have passed! Our events of 2011 have so far brought people together from as far away as Ohio, South Carolina, Canada and of course the more local eastern seaboard. It's been such a joy to provide super educational events in the exquisite setting the new training facility at Riveredge offers. Bo Jena, Linda Zang, Michael Klimke, and most recently Charles de Kunffy each brought tremendous inspiration and quality education to our riders and spectators. It is so fulfilling to create a learning environment where knowledge is shared and the horses are honored!
Over these busy months, we've also had the joy of helping many riders through intensive weeks of training. As always, watching the development of these riders and their horses is so fulfilling. Now that show season has begun, we have many congratulations to offer for their success and fulfillment of their goals.
Our show season began in early May with our seasoned FEI Young Riders Jill Kemenosh and Mel Montagano heading off to early qualifiers for this year's NAJYRC. It continued this past weekend with 8 horses from HD off at competitions! I'll write a separate Bulletin to share all the good news of the past few days!
Meanwhile, breeding season and of course foaling season is in full swing by now! We are thrilled at the addition of Horses Unimited's stallion Pik L and Leonburg to our stallion line-up! Rosall is home from Florida and available to be seen by interested breeders at Riveredge West. Lingh is getting lots of attention at his new station at Gestut Birkhof in the south of Germany. And of course, the stallions here at Riveredge are busily heading over to Select Breeders Service to service their mares! Our Breeding Manager Melissa will continue to post news of the happy arrivals in this year's foal crop! We are living vicariously through all our breeders, enjoying the hope and prospect in each new foal.
On the brink of launching our 2011 event schedule, we are so looking forward to welcoming the multitudes to Riveredge! We're delighted that nearly 100 people have pre-registered to attend the Bo Jenå clinic, scheduled on a Monday... and Valentine's Day no less! We look forward to Bo's first clinic for Hassler Dressage, given that a blizzard forced us to cancel last year. We've long awaited Bo's gifted teaching and handling of long lines and look forward to a great day!
While winter has been cold and snowy, it has not been nearly as fierce this year as last. All the same, there hasn't been a day that we haven't felt thankful for the oasis the new stable at Riveredge provides us. We have enjoyed the visits of friends and clients coming from a distance, getting snowed in a couple times but always able to be productive inside the warm haven of the new facility. This month, we got the AquaPacer up and running which has given us a whole other means of conditioning the horses. With the past few warmer days, thankfully much of the built up ice outside has begun to melt; it was super to get the horses outside yesterday on the track and refresh their spirits!
It's hard to imagine that breeding season starts up again in a few weeks. We look forward to welcoming our breeding manager Melissa back from maternity leave this coming week. With SBS and their new headquarters around the corner, the breeding season will get off to a fresh start. Show season will soon launch as well...and another busy year begins! Looking forward to seeing many of you and to sharing in the excitement of it all!
With the close of 2010, we celebrate all the blessings of the past year and look forward with bright and happy hearts to all that 2011 will bring! Our family here has expanded in the last week with the arrival of a child, born on Christmas Eve morning to our beloved breeding manager Melissa Wortman and her husband Brad! What a blessed way for the holidays to begin!
With so many outstanding accomplishments by our students and stallions throughout this past year, we have had much to celebrate as we reflected upon the year. Our transition to the new training facility at Riveredge was of course also an enormous highlight and will be complete in the months ahead as the construction crews put the finishing touches to the indoor observation and office spaces. At the start of 2011, we look forward to welcoming two additional working students, Stephanie Bedford from North Carolina and Aileen O'Connor from Hawaii. We look forward to an exciting, event-filled 2011 with activities here at Riveredge in full swing and many competitive riders in our stable preparing for FEI Juniors, FEI Young Riders, and Grand Prix!
May the year ahead be rich in blessings for you and yours!! May we all continue to prosper in health, happiness, and in the joy of making a difference in each other's lives through horses!
With the spirit of abundance that the holiday season brings, we opened the doors of our beautiful Riveredge training facility in November and early December. Friends from all over the world were able to join us for fun and educational events! Our 6th annual Young Dressage Horse Trainers Symposium was a celebration of friendship, inspiration, and as usual, an awesome opportunity to grow together. Horses and trainers travelled to Riveredge from all over North America; we had a terrific collection of talent to discuss and digest the training insights that Ingo Pape, Dr. Ulf Moeller, and Scott brought to the program. Friendships were rekindled, new ones were forged, and we all left these four exciting days feeling blessed by the support of Harmony Sporthorses who sponsors this tremendous program year after year!
After a busy week of family in for the Thanksgiving holiday, we welcomed Debbie McDonald to Riveredge for our first major public event since our move to the new facility. Debbie’s instruction was first class—clear, positive, and transformational for each and every rider. The auditors and riders alike gained immeasurably from Debbie’s instruction. The difference in each horse and rider after two days with Debbie was inspiring. We are excited to have found a partner in education with the soft, smart, and clear approach to solving training issues. We’re definitely planning to have her back in 2011!
With 2010 coming to a close, we stop and give thanks for the many gifts of the past year. Our years at Riveredge West were filled with friendship and camaraderie—very windy days or extreme cold winters were particularly challenging in that covered arena but they have become rich memories now (like riding with ski goggles on to keep the snow out of our eyes!). We feel blessed to have now made the transition to the incredibly comfortable and protected environment of the new training facility at Riveredge. Each day we are humbled by its grandeur. We are excited to share this inspiring setting with you in 2011. We are planning an event-rich calendar of clinics, seminars and our first horse shows!…so watch for details in the weeks ahead!
With the final days of October, 2010, we saw our last days operating out of Riveredge West and made the long-dreamed-of-transition to the new training facility at the main property Riveredge! We are so grateful to Leslie and her team for making all the arrangements necessary for us to transition over, even with construction on-going at the new training center. On Thursday, with final preparations in place, we moved the horses into their stalls and the heartbeat of the place started beating strong. The horses settled in as if they’d lived there all along; the stable, while so very grand, has the most peaceful, comfortable energy.
On Friday, with John and Leslie in town, we were treated to a very special luncheon held in the Link of the new stable. We enjoyed celebrating the transition of horses into the facility with the B&D builders, sub-contractors including plumbers, electricians and Moon Nurseries staff, Leslie’s designer Paul Elliot and her landscape architect Neil Neumann-- all of whom have dedicated enormous time, energy, and talent into making this new facility a marvel of architecture, craftsmanship, and beautiful materials. It has been so enormously enjoyable to watch the many craftsmen hard at work, so many talented hands each in their own trade creating this masterpiece, and to see Leslie enjoying herself so much in the creative process. We have felt enormously patient and satisfied to watch and wait until they were ready for us! Words don’t adequately express the extent of our gratitude for the privilege to operate out of this remarkable facility and we look so forward to opening our doors to the public for meaningful educational and sporting events.
This past weekend, we hosted the USEF Youth Clinic conducted by Lendon Grey. It will go in our books as the last event conducted or hosted by Hassler Dressage at Riveredge West! It was a perfect fall weekend with crisp autumn air and foliage at its peak; Lendon’s zeal for education and getting riders to think made it even more colorful and productive! She is a masterful teacher and we all gained so much from this clinic. The group of riders was both talented and diverse, which has made the content of the clinic especially interesting. We are now just weeks from the first big event to be conducted at the new training facility at Riveredge, our 6th annual Young Dressage Horse Trainers Symposium. It’s seems appropriate that this will be our christening event, as Harmony Sporthorses has sponsored YDHTS since its very inception! While we’re unpacking and re-orienting our daily operations within our newly expansive environment, we’ll also be gearing up to make this year’s YDHTS a most memorable event! Can’t wait to see many of you there!
What a fantastically busy and exciting week we just had! First, Dressage at Devon brought many familiar faces in town and the chance to enjoy our horses together during the breed show days of Devon. 
Our longtime friend Hans Engberg made his annual trek from Sweden to come and present horses for us…and typical to Devon tradition, he got plenty wet and muddy while at it! Still, Hans and Richard (photo right) helped produce some wonderful results for Hassler Dressage! Descartes, a 2-year old gelding by Rousseau who has been in our care and management for the last year, was the Reserve Champion Colt and had top placings in several other classes, including the USDF Cosequin East Coast Colt Championships. Fidelity HD was our princess, winning the Hanoverian 3+ Class and helping Rousseau place 6th in the Get of Sire.Susanne presented Emily Covington’s 5-year old Rousseau daughter Ravi Sutra 
(photo left) in the Suitability and Material classes. The pair took 5th and 6th respectively in a positive first competition for Ravi under saddle. We enjoyed helping several breeders and students with their youngsters and as usual, enjoyed the camaraderie and friendship that Dressage At Devon always inspires.
During Devon, the World Breeding Sport Horse Federation held its annual meeting for the first time in the United States. Along with contributing to the program with a lecture, Scott led a tour for the group of delegates from 19 countries to a variety of sporthorse farms, including Louise Serio’s hunter operation and Northview Stallion Station, where the international group got an in-depth lecture on the history of Thoroughbred bloodlines. 
The tour ended at Riveredge where we hosted a group of 40 for an American-style BBQ. This was the first international exposure for Riveredge and the new training facility our partner Leslie Malone has so beautifully designed and created. The world now knows what of this treasure that lies in Cecil County, Maryland and they are very eager to return!
After being delayed by tropical storm Nicole, Susanne finally made it out to Kentucky on Friday, October 1 to catch the Freestyle Final at the WEG. What an awe-inspiring event! Catching up with a dear, old friend for the occasion and seeing many other friends from all over the country made the venue even more meaningful. Congratulations to our friend Steffen Peters on his Bronze Medal finish, making history for the US at our first World Equestrian Games held in this country. Watching the incredible caliber of the world’s top equine athletes made an indelible impression of how far this sport has grown in the last 15 years! 
It was a memorable, fantastic event and I’m not alone in hoping the US will have the opportunity to host more venues of this caliber in the future.
With this writing, we are but weeks away from moving into the new facility at Riveredge. We indeed are incredibly excited and look forward to settling the horses into their new digs. While the construction of the observation areas and offices continue inside the building, the landscaping, track, and stable facilities are now all completed and ready to host our remaining events for 2010! Good things take time and this remarkable structure is among the finest in the world. It will be a tremendous privilege to move our daily activities of Hassler Dressage to this facility and to begin unfolding our further plans for making a difference in the industry with the 2011 season.
It’s that wonderful time of year where summer shifts to fall, the air becomes light and crisp, and we know that soon we’ll shift our clocks back to have more light in the early hours once again. At the writing of this bulletin, we are in the final days preparing for the annual equestrian festival at Dressage at Devon along with the commencement of the dressage phase of the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. This year, DAD will be lightly attended as so many have opted to head to Kentucky for the excitement there instead. Who can blame them? It’s such a pity that we have the conflict of the World Equestrian Games being held in our own country at the exact same time as the most important breed show and CDI on the East Coast. So here at Hassler Dressage, we’re juggling!
Our dear friend Hans Engberg has just arrived from Sweden to help us once again in the Dixon Oval and Gold Ring at Devon. We are fortunate to have his friendship and handling services. A lovely collection of horses will be stabled under the Hassler Dressage roof and we so look forward to sharing in the memories together with their owners! Next week, Hassler Dressage is also the final stop on a tour and the host of an American BBQ for the World Breeding Sport Horse Federation, who for the first time in history are holding their annual meeting here in the US. We are honored to host them and look forward to the festivities! After the breed show, Scott will remain at Devon as anchor and coach for our 3 FEI Young Riders as they go for it at the Dressage At Devon CD. Meanwhile, Susanne will fly to KY to watch the Freestyle competition at the WEG on Friday night. We are lucky to be able to be in so many places at once! Wishing our US team success at the WEG and our breeders along with our FEI Young Riders Jillian Kemenosh, Jessica Zoskey, and Melanie Montagano success at Dressage at Devon 2010!
It’s been far too long since we’ve posted a bulletin! Our spring let loose on an event-filled summer with a remarkable streak of Championship events marking in our calendar. Our spring show season concluded successfully with our horses qualified for BLM’s and Regional’s. The emphasis then turned 
toward our FEI Young Riders Jill Kemenosh, Jessica Zoskey, and others in Region One. In early June, we held a clinic for the FEI Junior’s and Young Rider’s of Region One, followed by a very well attended FEI Freestyle Challenge Fundraiser that benefited our newly created Young Equestrian Scholarship Fund. The Fund helped sponsor expenses for Region One’s Junior and Young Rider Teams at the NAJYRC in July. Additionally, the Fund will serve to provide scholarships to talented youth now and in the future.
In mid-July, Scott met riders from across the country at the beautiful competition grounds of Lamplight, near Chicago, to provide his coaching services for USEF at the National Championships for Young Horses and Developing Horse Championships. Flying home, he had barely a day to regroup before heading off to Lexington, Kentucky for the North American Junior/Young Rider Championships. Susanne, Sara, and our dear friend Susie Granville joined him mid-week to cheer on our girls and the riders from Region One.
We were very proud of our Region One team and each rider who gained valuable experience at this year’s event. We were especially proud of Jill and Jess! Jill placed 4th overall with her Dutch warmblood gelding Nelzon and Jess took home 7th place with FA Patriot, her Friesian-Arab gelding. We were so proud of the girls and sent them off to Gladstone in mid-August with high hopes once again! Jill was vying for a top finish and succeeded in winning the Individual Test and placing 3rd overall! Jess once again finished 7th and was delighted by her season overall. Congratulations to both girls for another successful year as Young Riders!
 Jill Kemenosh with Nelzon |
 Jess Zoskey with Blue |
Between the NAJYRC and the National Championships at Gladstone, we sandwiched in a trip to Verden for the World Championships for Young Horses. As usual, the venue was inspiring and exciting on many levels. It was a bit disappointing to see that once again the young horse world championships had become more or less a stallion show and that auction style riding was rewarded over softer, more classical styles. Still, overall it was super to see this year’s top group of horses…a reliable and increasingly impressive showcase of talent!
Just this weekend, we had the privilege to host our friend Steffen Peters for a 2-day clinic. What an inspiration Steffen is on every level! We benefited greatly from his impeccable standards, his discipline to break down a weakness into its parts and to improve a movement through its preparation. We all appreciated his classical system that improves the horse in a fair and kind way. Our horses improved, our auditors and riders were equally inspired. We sent Steffen off with a round of applause and ourcommunity’s best wishes for his success at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky!
As we prepare for the fall season, including Devon, fall finals, and our 
Young Dressage Horse Trainers Symposium, we look forward to the opportunity to see many of you once again in person! We look forward to our upcoming move into the facilities at Riveredge, which are increasingly nearing completion. Our hope is to move-in sometime this fall and we look forward to hosting Symposium and Debbie McDonald in the spacious and inspiring setting the new facility offers! With landscaping and other beautiful detail now gracing the breath-taking architecture, words can’t quite describe the impact this new facility imparts….in fact most who visit are rendered speechless. We look forward to fully opening our doors to the public and sharing in the inspiration in the very near future!
We’re celebrating Earth Day in abundance here at Riveredge this spring! Yesterday, the planting of more than 80 trees began…WOW! How it transforms this already spectacular space to an awe-inspiring equestrian park. 
The stone walls which are being constructed outside the facility will soon frame further plantings, with landscaping embellishments that lend the right touch to the magnificent facility. The training facility itself continues to flourish with the donning of its final detail: beautiful colors added here and there, and impressive lighting fixtures, now hanging proudly in place. The tack room and work spaces are nearing completion…it all feels so tangible and only now is it getting hard to wait 
to move in!! But as we’ve always said, good things take time, so we are in no rush; we await with excited anticipation and interest as the final details are completed. As our move-in date gets more clear, we’ll be sure to share the big news!
We are planning a very special fundraising activity for the FEI Junior and Young Riders of USDF Region One. Details of this event will soon be made known on our News page as well as through newsletters and direct mailings! It will be a very special event, with lots of fun to introduce our local community to dressage and to support these talented young people in their quest to compete at the North American Jr/Young Rider Championships!
It’s not my place to give the world updates about our friend Courtney King-Dye, but I am immensely grateful to all who continue to pray for Courtney and support her perfect healing. So many of you have written and asked about her status after we asked you to join us in a National Day of Prayer for Court. Within days after that Sunday, she became more responsive and has now been transferred to a rehabilitation facility. Thank God and thank all of you for praying for her!! She is making real progress! Scott and I went to visit Courtney this week, now that she has been safely relocated up north and we could readily make the drive to visit her. I had some trepidation, given reports that she was still technically in a coma, but the visit was deeply inspiring and filled me with such hope!!! Courtney’s husband Jason and her brother Gibb and his fiancé were all there. Court did an amazing job shifting her attention from person to person, keeping up with the conversation. (I don’t think the medical label coma fits at all!!!) We had a very focused and real one-on-one conversation…she was so alert and very clear with her emotions! I felt we communicated deeply on many subjects and she was lucid and responsive in beautiful ways. I have such hope for our friend and can envision her complete recovery even better now. As she held my hand, at times there was strength to hold 20 horses in that grip! She is a fighter and determined to rebuild her body. Apparently, the therapists are all fighting over her because she is so rewarding to work with. She often puts on her game face (yes, the one we can all recognize in her performance photos)...and is making progress every day. May God continue to bless and rebuild her! May she be patient with herself in the process too. I know so many of you continue to hold Courtney in your prayers…thank you! Please do so with a hopeful heart and know that she is working hard to return to the life she loves! Let’s continue to lift her up and cheer her on…every step of the way.
The March winds blew us down south to Williamston, North Carolina for the NCDCTA’s March Madness dressage show last weekend. It was well worth the long drive, both to get our horses back on the road and also for the wonderful results our horses and riders produced! Our FEI Young Riders Jillian Kemenosh and Jessica Zoskey both had a terrific weekend, finishing #1 and #2 in both the team and individual tests at their first North American Young Riders’ Championships qualifier. Jill’s mean score was over 70% and Jessica’s a solid 67%. We are thrilled for these delightful young women and are so hopeful for their continued success this season. Our daughter Sara had a great first competition, finishing 1st and 2nd with scores of 68% and 66…making both Mom and Dad real proud! :-) Harmony’s Davidoff Hit and Karen Day’s lovely stallion Rivoli had productive weekends with good results for their first show of the year. Davi placed 3rd in his first Fourth Level test and handled his first coliseum experience quite well. Rivoli debuted at Third Level, bringing home two 2nd place ribbons and good scores of 65 and 70%. It felt good to get back on the road and now that show season is here, we’ll be sharing highlights more often!
Welcome, glorious Spring!!! Our world is coming alive again here in Chesapeake City, with budding trees bursting into a pink or green glow, crocus and daffodils shining their bright faces, and that dewy, sweet fragrance of Spring greeting us each morning. After the incredible winter we endured—a record 80+” of snow!—we knew Spring would be most welcome this year and she has arrived in her fullest glory! What a weekend we just enjoyed…delicious 70 degree days, sunny, and beautiful…just what we needed to help dry out our very soggy grounds from the mid-March Nor’easter that delivered over 6” of rain to our area! (Thank God it was only rain…the experts said it would have dumped another 60” of snow otherwise!!).
The countdown to our move into the new facility has begun…now an incredible 6 weeks or so away… and the excitement on our team is tangible! We leave for our first competition of the season “March Madness” in Williston, NC this Wednesday! Hitting the road with 6 horses in tow, our two Young Riders Jillian Kemenosh and Jessica Zoskey are looking fantastic and well prepared for their first qualifier. Davi and Rivoli (a very handsome 8-year old Riverman son) are feeling super and I look forward to going down centerline with both of them! Our daughter Sara will gain more competition mileage on her friend Keeper, and our friend Susie Granville will take her star-boy Rodnick on his first outing of the season in preparation for their debut next month.
Meanwhile, breeding season is underway and Melissa is getting happy news of new arrivals with each week. Sadly, at times we are told of losses which hit all of us close to home…none are alone in their grieving when a long awaited foal is lost at birth. We’re in all this together.
We all remain hopeful for and focused on the recovery of our friend Courtney King-Dye, and continue to send ample positive energy to her, and to her husband, family, and friends. We hold on to every bit of good news, staying united in the vision her complete recovery. Thank you, all of you who participated in the focused day of prayer for Courtney on March 14. It was a global effort and one greatly appreciated by those closest to her. Thank you to you all who continue to keep her in your daily prayers. Let's all remain hopeful and focused on her complete recovery…if anyone can pull through this, it is Courtney!
Our dear friend Michael Klimke brought everything we’d hoped for to our first riding clinic of 2010. Michael’s classical approach to each horse brought every rider back to the basics. While we still advanced our horses, we improved our work by focusing on the quality of our transitions, our half-halts, and even more basic than that, the quality of our contact! Michael has always inspired me; he’s always kept joy and respect in his relationship with his horses. The outcome is less tension, more expression; less frustration, more advancement. As we focused on improving the very most essential way in which we communicate with our horses, harmony and beauty evolved.
How similar our art of dressage and the art of being in relationship with one another; how very important is the quality of our basic ‘contact’ with one another! When integrity lies at the heart of a relationship, the commitment to take time and respectfully work through a ‘transition’ together brings beauty to the relationship.
Feeling refreshed and inspired by Michael’s tutelage, he has been ‘with’ us each day of our training since! Our horses are feeling better than ever…what a gift heading into show season! Looking forward to all Michael’s future visits and to his on-going contributions to our many programs.
The tragic accident of our beloved friend Courtney King-Dye overshadowed the early days of March. Courtney is a brilliant person and an incredibly gifted rider. When a head injury happens from an accident such as hers, we are reminded that our sport has its inherent risks, like all sports. Her accident reminds us how lucky we are each day when we come home safe and sound from our lives with horses. It also reminds us that wearing a helmet is one thing we can do to stay safer. Our sport has unfortunately shaped a stigma surrounding helmets. Wearing one is not a sign that we are scared, but that we are doing our part to stay safer in a risky sport
Accidents do happen, with nothing to blame other than chance. This is a time to remain hopeful and united as a community and to recognize the power of coming together to visualize a perfect outcome. We hope you will join us in lifting Courtney up in prayer and visualizing her perfect healing. We keep her husband Jason and her closest friends and family in our hearts each day, praying for their strength at her side.
Update 3/10: We all have included Courtney in our prayers since her accident, and will continue to do so in the days and weeks ahead. Let's join together for a day of collective prayer for our friend, this Sunday March 14. Please read more about this here.
Snow, snow, snow!!! Mountains of snow, in fact! If the eastern shore were only a bit more vertical, we’d be having a lot more fun with this stuff. Our good luck of having mild winters the past several years has clearly ended…just a bit shy of our move into more protective (and heated!) facilities. The covered arena at West is a lovely 3-season arena, but it sure has been a challenge to work out of this memorable winter of 2010! We were very sorry to cancel our long-lining clinic with Bo Jenå…his tutelage would have been especially helpful in giving us alternate tools to get through this winter. Hopefully our weekend with Michael Klimke will coincide with a short reprieve from Mother’s Nature’s follies.
While Mother Nature is having her way with her wintry white wand outside, the artisans of B&D Construction are hard at work indoors creating the beautiful new training center at Riveredge. Our projected move-in date of April 1 has probably been pushed back given all the snow, but a visit back to the facility to see the progress B&D and all the sub-contractors are making brings the boost of moral we all need to get through the massive wintry punches Mother Nature’s continues to deal us. The stall bars are now installed throughout the facility and the handmade doors, hung on their wrought iron tracks, give the barn aisles a finished feeling. The woodwork throughout the facility is now getting its final coats…much like a fine piece of furniture, the natural beauty of the wood is highlighted within unparalleled design and craftsmanship. The kickboards and mirrors are now in place in the arena, making the training space so real and inviting. Soon it will feel like we could move horses in, save the completion of our functional spaces like tack rooms and bathrooms. Still…it’s progress and progress in a very exciting direction at that!
If winter is dealing you a hard blow as well…know you are not alone. We’ll all celebrate spring with a bit more vigor this year! May you all stay safe and find comfort in front of warm fires …And if you are lucky enough to be where the sun is shining and the temperatures warm…soak some up for the rest of us!
2010 is here! The beginning of a new decade, the start of new era: Hassler Dressage will open the grand doors of Riveredge to the public this year—long awaited and much anticipated, we know it will be well worth the wait! Our team is engaged and energized, ready to host the many events we’ve lined up to inspire, educate, and bring together our equestrian community like never before. Blessed by the friendships which make these exciting opportunities possible, we are grateful to each of our friends for making time within their busy schedules. Please join us in welcoming to Riveredge in 2010: Bo Jena, Gil Merrick, Michael Klimke, Debbie McDonald, Charlotte Bredahl, Steffen Peters, Ingrid Klimke, and others. We look forward to an inspired year of learning and growth, coupled with a great year in sport for our horses and students.
As the details continue to be revealed on the indescribably beautiful training center that the Malones, our partners, are building here at Riveredge, we continue to feel both humbled and inspired by the privilege of being a part of such an outstanding entity. The building has the timeless quality of a structure meant to endure for generations to come. The training center, coupled with the extraordinary landscape of Riveredge itself, heighten the desire to focus, to achieve, to excel. A Center of Excellence indeed…Good things are coming!
Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with family and friends, pausing amidst the hustle of our lives to recognize and appreciate our blessings. All of us at Hassler Dressage are so grateful for the loyal friendships and relationships that surround us each day. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to help the horses and the people in our lives as they pursue their talents and their dreams. It must not go unspoken that we are grateful beyond words to stand in this place of time as the new training facilities come into further detail at Riveredge, looking forward to sharing this wonderful space of inspiration with our community of fellow riders and trainers. Above all, we are thankful to have the opportunity to fulfill our passions through our professional lives—surrounding ourselves with incredible horses, making every effort to bring forth the highest standards in their care and representation, and fostering the spirit of education and community in our every endeavor. We wish you all the most blessed Thanksgiving Day…and thank you for being part of that which kindles our spirits each day.
On the heels of our 5th Annual Young Dressage Horse Trainers Symposium, we are energized and excited about the ongoing momentum this event brings to our community! Symposium brought over 45 alumni back from all over the US and Canada to our doorstep here in Chesapeake City and 15 new participants and guests. We had 12-14 horses per day, horses ranging in age from 3 to 11, taking us from young horses up through developing Grand Prix. We are fortunate that our friend Ingo Pape continues to give his time to this worthwhile venue and plans are rapidly developing for 2010! The camaraderie and friendships which always emerge from Symposium parallel the inspirational training content. Some good ideas get better with time. We feel that way about this Symposium and look forward to providing similar programs for the public at large.
As we click through the fall schedule, we are reminded how quickly 2009 is coming to a close. Dressage At Devon was a surprisingly cool and dry event this year, bringing the first change of fall colors to our area. It was a joy to see so many old friends, to meet their youngsters in person and to enjoy new relationships in our community of breeders, owners, and professionals. As always, special moments and people define Dressage At Devon for us…along with the successes of our own horses and clients. This year, we especially enjoyed supporting our new FEI Young Rider Jillian Kemonosh through her CDI experience.
Fall Championships are underway and at this writing we have just returned from the BLM Championships. Unfortunately, Davi didn’t have the best weekend. He became overwhelmed by the atmosphere at the NJ Horse Park. He still ended up 3rd in the Championships, but with a performance less than our usual standard. We have Regional Championships next weekend so we look forward to putting forth the quality performance we are capable of. Our daughter Sara, on the other hand, had a super show! Her first test was average, earning a 63% and 6th place, her next test was far improved, placing her 3rd with a 66%, and her last test she won with a 67%! It was her first win at a dressage show! When asked about her first ride by show management, she replied “It was super.” When they asked for more details, she said “I was smiling the whole time!” (That’s our girl!!!) Jillian Kemenosh won the 4th Level Freestyle Young Rider Championship and placed 2nd in an Open PSG with nearly a 70%! We were super proud of her and the progress she and Nelzon have made thus far. Our working student Nicole Vandervliet pulled off a super Championship ride and took home the Reserve Championship in the Jr/YR division at Third Level. Additionally, she won the Most Elegant Rider award!! A very sweet finish to our weekend!
Amidst the Championships, we are busily getting ready for our 5th Annual Young Dressage Horse Trainers Symposium and are looking forward to a wonderful event. With our stable full with horses in training, we are renting tents and temporary stalls this year to host our riders for the event! As usual, the event holds tremendous priority in our vision with our continued focus on education. We thrive in making a contribution to our community at large through symposium’s provision of networking opportunities. YDHTS' emphasis on building friendships and support in the training community continues as part of our vision...
When tragedy strikes horses, it rattles all of us who have dedicated so much of our lives to their well-being. When tragedy strikes close to home, its ugly voice bellows even louder still. Tonight, we lift up our friends Lauren Elliot, her boyfriend Drew, and her brother Jason in the wake of a tragic morning at their farm here in Chesapeake City. A barn fire struck Royal Equestrian Center at 3am, leaving seven horses dead and Lauren and Drew in anguish as they could literally do nothing to stop the tragedy as it unfolded. We pray for the horses’ spirits, their owners, and all who are grieving. May better days lie ahead for all.
How quickly summer passes!! With the last weekend of June hot and humid, we transitioned into the loveliest July on record here in Maryland! Beautiful, high-70/low-80 degree days with cool nights…and no humidity! What a treat for us all! Given we usually have great heat and humidity over the summertime here in Maryland, we’re accustomed to taking a break from competitions in July and August. We schedule things like family vacations (this year a relaxing week in Myrtle Beach) and overseas journeys, like Verden for the World Championships for Young Horses, coupled with horse-shopping trips across Germany and the Netherlands. These trips always give us the great opportunity to get some business handled while reconnecting with friends. When the blistering heat of August hit (fortunately for no more than 3 weeks, this year), we retreated in the late afternoons to our boat and the waters of the Chesapeake Bay…great memories of skiing, tubing, and wakeboarding with our girls and many of our friends. Live music in Chesapeake City on hot summer evenings, a feeling that life has a bit of balance—if only for a few short weeks--we appreciate the season for all it is and for the blessing of our life on the northern waters of the Chesapeake.
Summer is also the time for giving the horses what they need as individuals. For some, like Davidoff Hit, it was a time for advancement and preparation for the fall competition schedule. For others, like Rousseau, Locksley, and Louisville, it was a time for meeting the demands of their many mares and keeping fit and happy in between. We celebrated the positive feedback and successes of Wamberto’s first foal crop with continuous reports of good results at breed shows and inspections across the country. It’s been a great year for all our boys so far, with top results by their offspring keeping us proud (read more here).
We are also very proud of Scott’s students and their successes at the National Championships for Young Horses held at Lamplight over the weekend of August 21-13. Karen Monks-Reilly rode her fabulous 4-year old to the National Championship title with an impressive 86.8%! Jesssica Jo Tate took home the Reserve Champion title in the 6-year old division aboard Elizabeth Guarisco’s Westphalian gelding Faberge and also earned a proud 3rd place in the Developing Horse Championships with Susanne Dansby-Phelps’ Rowerbe. Ulla Petersen placed 3rd the warm up round and finished in 5th place finish aboard Nancy Holowesko’s Oldenburg gelding Sabati.
The new training complex has matured before our very eyes over the summer months as well. Its exterior is nearly complete in its final colors, with cupola’s all decked in copper to match extensive copper waterspouts. With the writing of this bulletin, the woodwork in the indoor arena is nearing completion and the thin tongue and groove boards gracing the barrel ceiling of the aisles are rapidly replacing our imaginations with awesome reality. The outdoor training spaces of the new training complex have further come to be as well…three hefty round pens, an exquisitely landscaped outdoor arena, and the expanse of the dressage track all trigger our excitement for what lies ahead. We now foresee moving to the new complex sometime over the wintertime, not in November, as was our earlier anticipation. But all good things take time and we are very comfortable at Riveredge West…so we’ll continue to be patient and enjoy the privilege of watching this masterpiece of a facility come to its completion.
We gladly welcomed University of Delaware student Jillian Kemenosh to our stables in late August and look forward to supporting her further development aboard her wonderful horse Nelzon. We’re excited to be a new home base for Jill, providing the support and encouragement for her continued equestrian development while she pursues her degree. Look for Jill and Nelzon this year at Devon where the pair will be competing in the FEI Young Riders division. We also just welcomed home a spectacular new mount for our dear friend Susie Granville. Her new Hanoverian gelding Rodnick is an internationally proven FEI horse and has brought tremendous inspiration to the team here at Hassler Dressage. With our gears cranking up for the fall season, we look forward to seeing you all at Devon, and the Regional and BLM finals.
With Spring, we all hit the gas pedal here at Hassler Dressage to keep up with everything the spring season is about: breeding season, competitions, an intensified training schedule, and all the continued building of our new training center at Riveredge. While the stallions picked up a busy 
schedule in the breeding shed, Scott was on the road throughout the month of May, fulfilling his USEF role as Coach at all the USEF Young Horse Selection Trials. While no American based horse/rider pair was selected for the World Championships for Young Horses, Scott actively coached and supported the group heading to our National Championships, which will be held in August.
Our own competition season began, with Harmony’s Davidoff Hit making a very successful debut at Third Level, along with our many students achieving equally successful results. In April and early May, we enjoyed competition weekends, at Morven Park which happened to fall on Derby and Preakness weekends. In keeping with tradition, we held great barn aisle parties to enjoy the races and watch the excitement on a big flat screen TV, carefully placed atop a tack trunk! Even the horses enjoyed the excitement! Wamberto, who came along as a non-compete to the show over Derby weekend, gave us a memorable moment when he loudly whinnied back at the Clydesdale in the Budweiser commercial!
At home, while we’ve been busy training and teaching, we have also enjoyed the many visits by breederseager to meet the stallions in person. On June 1, we welcomed our very own first foal: a charming and highly personable colt by Wamberto out of our beloved States Premium Mare Primavera (read more). We’re so grateful to our dear friends at Blue Waters (just around the corner) who have 
provided such excellent management and care of our colt and his recipient mother Jazz. “Wonderboy” as we call him…whether it becomes his official name or not…is a gem and a true wonder, given how hard we worked over many years to secure another viable pregnancy out of Primavera. Paul Loomis of Select Breeders Service and Dr. Foss and his team at Equine Medical Services were essential to our success and we thank them whole-heartedly for helping us make this special colt come about!
Progress on the construction of the new training center here at Riveredge has been simply mindboggling over the past months! The gifted construction team B&D (along with all their sub-contractors) and the dedicated design team of this new facility, directed by Leslie herself, are building a facility which will inspire generations to come. The new building is so thoughtful with respect to function and yet so awe-inspiring in scale and design, it is destined to become a landmark within the United States on an unparalleled level. The building, aptly set within this grand estate, is truly magnificent in and of itself. It establishes a presence and an 
importance that deeply honors horses and all we aspire toward with them. As a great university inspires its students who walk its campus grounds, dreaming of their futures, so this new training center engulfs our imaginations and heightens our aspirations to educate, inspire, and fulfill potential to the highest standards. With the whole complex now under roof, only the interior detail work remains to be completed along with some finishing exterior detail. And the details are awesome!! Every door is handcrafted from 150-year old White Oak 
with lovely detail from its hinges to its transom windows; the beautiful barrel ceilings are now enhanced by up-lighting, emphasizing the beauty of the wood and heightening the aura of the awesome space; views from the second floor office spaces and link areas take in not only the beauty of the landscape but the inspired lay-out of the track, the new outdoor arena, the courtyard …we can see the future before us! We are still on track to move to the new facility in November and will share further updates as we progress.
Over the weekend of April 24-26, 2009, we came to fully appreciate the value of our mission as well as future possibilities here at Hassler Dressage. In conducting the Region One FEI Jr/Young Riders Clinic, we brought together the youth of the region and shared a valuable, memorable weekend. The group arrived on Friday and after settling their horses into the stabling, the riders were able to school both on our track at Riveredge as well as at the training facility at Riveredge West.We gathered that evening with the riders and their parents for dinner and an overview of the weekend’s structure. Scott and I hoped to inspire the participants to use this weekend as an opportunity to discuss all the questions facing these budding Young Riders. We spoke of how to manage college and riding, whether to pursue time in Europe or remain here at home for future training opportunities, how to look at a future in the horse world in context with all of life’s other opportunities. Scott and I shared about our own journeys and opened the door for the weekend to be successful on every level. In addition, we described a parallel between our Young Dressage Horse Trainers Symposium and this weekend’s Jr/Young 
Riders clinic, how the opportunity was before them to grow together and become ‘for’ one another, both as friends and teammates. These relationships are transformational to our sport and help build a better community.
Scott worked with the riders on Saturday, while Susanne judged a dressage schooling show at nearby Fair Hill. We gathered at the end of the day for a private dinner with just the riders (the parents went off to have a good time in Chesapeake City!) which we enjoyed out on our patio, thanks to the lovely summer-like weather! We discussed the training of the day, highlighting important points Scott tried to bring to each lesson. Scott commented on how each of these talented young people have excellent foundations and are well on their way as riders. What fun to see that the youth in our region getting so well developed; kudo’s to the students and their trainers at home! The evening discussion delved into broader topics, helping to build perspective on the big choices they each face as they transition in their lives from Jr’s to Young Riders to adults. We also laughed—a lot!—with stories shared around the table.
Sunday’s lessons were tremendous follow-ups to Day One. The riders could fully grasp how to help their horses become optimally available for the work. We agreed to plan a one-week summer session as a follow-up to this weekend clinic and to help prepare those selected for the North American Young Riders Championships scheduled for the end of July. What a privilege it was to work with such a fantastic group of young people…focused, sincere, talented, and fun! We felt a tremendous spirit of camaraderie develop through the weekend’s activities and the 
kids shared how great it was to have the opportunity to ‘live’ together (alone, no parents!) at our Guest House for the weekend. They shared an incredible letter of thanks, which brought tremendous satisfaction to Scott and myself. Thank you—to each of you who participated, to the fantastically dedicated parents behind each rider, especially Debbie DelGiorno whose tremendous organizational efforts made this weekend possible. We applaud Nicole DelGiorno’s conviction in making sure that this Region One event took place. The riders’ letter of thanks (click left image to read) says “mission accomplished" to us all!
What could be nicer than to help eager junior riders, on their beloved ponies or horses, to learn more about dressage?? We so enjoyed teaching the group that gathered for our event meant to inspire and guide local pony clubbers. The group selected by the regional DC’s 
represented their pony clubs well and were perfect guests! Four riders 16-21 years of age attended, in addition to four riders ages 7-10. We appreciate the opportunity to follow up with many of these horse and rider combinations and are so pleased by their progress! (Congratulations to Kaitlyn Jackson and her Connemara pony Weasel, who just took 2nd place in dressage and All-around at an event held at Morven Park during the last weekend in March!)
Dressage is such a passion for us….as is learning and helping horses and people to grow. The joy of opening doors in a rider’s understanding and helping her grow to new levels with her ‘best friend’….what more can be said? It’s a total joy, pleasure, and privilege! We’re having some fun now!!
With the end of March nearing, we are gratefully enjoying the arrival of Spring. After such a hard winter, it’s easy to welcome even the cooler days of season, especially with the daffodils joyfully popping up everywhere! With the harsher weather behind us, everyone seems to breath a bit easier again!
It was such a joy to welcome over 100 people to our facilities in mid-March for our Region One Dressage Workshop: How To Improve Test Figures and Overall Throughness (photos and write-up). Sharing an afternoon of inspiration and learning, followed by a tour of the new training center at Riveredge—still under construction but already an incredible source of inspiration itself—gave us all a terrific boost of enthusiasm for all that lies ahead. At the Region One Annual meeting held at our home the next day, we were proud to provide a benefit check from the Silent Auction of $750 to support the Region’s Activities. We also gladly took on a Regional Advanced Young Riders Clinic which will now be conducted by Scott here at our facilities at the end of April.
As Spring transitions us all to warmer weather, we look forward to the arrival of Jessica Jo Tate, her team, and horses as they move north from the Florida circuit. JJ will base with us at Hassler Dressage, bringing her wonderful spirit and enthusiasm to our community while enjoying the benefit of Scott’s on-going support and coaching. We look forward to managing the breeding services of Kent Island Sporthorses’ winning stallion Rosall, who under JJ recently finished as the top stallion in the ISR Stallion Performance Test in Florida. As show season gets underway in our mid-Atlantic region, we will continue to share of his further successes in sport and breeding.
Watch our website as news of breeders foal arrivals continue to flow into our office! We are particularly excited about Wamberto’s first foals…three fillies so far…whose breeders delightedly share bear his spectacular canter and extraordinarily beautiful head. He seems to be stamping his get so far….a very nice sign indeed!
As 2009 has already come fully underway, we resurface from a short hibernation to share the exciting developments since our last bulletin and the great promise of the future here at Hassler Dressage. We bring with this bulletin belated New Year’s greetings and our most sincere wishes that despite the challenges of the present economy, this New Year brings great reward and progress for all.
The construction of our future training facility at Riveredge saw tremendous progress over the months of December and January. (Several images are offered here for your enjoyment.) At the time of this bulletin, the structure is nearly all under-roof with the exception of the observation area off the indoor arena. As a team, we have frequently gathered to capture and celebrate great milestones in the construction of this grand facility. The details of the new facility’s design are inspiring; to actually see and feel the thick beams and substantial posts, confidently linked together through elegant wood joinery and simple wooden pegs, brings a whole other level of appreciation. The majestic wooden arches of the indoor arena, the elegant barrel ceilings of each stable wing, the beautiful 14' covered walk-ways, and the craftsmanship of the entire structure have created a truly sacred space in which the horses will be honored. All who have visited are moved by the simple beauty of it all. We share these images in hopes that their details begin to inspire further.
Just before the holidays, Brooke Doss and her team moved back to South Carolina. It was a pleasure to have Brooke and her assistant Megan part of our day-to-day lives at Riveredge West. We wish them both continued success!
We are enjoying a winter training season with Eliza Sydnor, who moved to Hassler Dressage for a ten-week sabbatical. Unfortunately for Eliza, the move took her from the sunny Carolina’s to a very cold Maryland winter! However, Eliza is a dedicated student and is actively pursuing the Young Horse Championships, Developing Horse Championships, and Brentina Cup with her three very special horses. We all very much enjoy having Eliza with us at Riveredge West and are excited about her progress with her 5-year old stallion Richmond, her 9-year old mare Graffini Grace, and her Grand Prix horse Lancer.
We are delighted to announce that upon her return from the ’09 winter season in Florida, Jessica Jo Tate and her team will move to Chesapeake City to base her business out of the Hassler Dressage training facility. For the past few years, JJ has been a dedicated student of Scott’s, working with him as often as possible. We look forward to welcoming her and her team to our facilities in April. 
Our 2009 calendar of events is coming together. We look forward to supporting the local young dressage enthusiasts in a 2-day clinic at Riveredge West for those who are preparing to participate in Lendon’s Youth Festival. We are also holding a test-ride clinic for these participants to help prep them for their first qualifying competitions. All arrangements for these events are being handled by the local pony clubs. In March, we will conduct the Region One Dressage Workshop for Amateur and Professional riders, in effort to provide an educational opportunity for the region. We are pleased to host once more the Region One meeting at the Main House at Riveredge, welcoming the community to also get a sneak preview of the developments here at Riveredge. Other exciting clinics are in development, along with the plans for a heavy competition schedule!
Scott will be in Florida frequently over the next few months, so contact our office if you are interested in scheduling time. Scott supports many professional and amateur riders who are in Florida for the winter competition season. His great reward for all the travel comes when those riders subsequently reach important goals in their riding, including winning their next competition! Congratulations to Cathy Morelli on her recent Grand Prix win on BeSe!
As we move through the cold Maryland winter, we are warmed by all the possibilities that surround us. We are eager to support breeders during this difficult economic time with many exciting incentives. We look forward to soon sharing of our breeders’ foals arriving around the country, including the exciting news of Wamberto’s first foal crop, and to the birth of our own first foal here at Hassler Dressage this spring! Looking forward to a strong, productive, and healthy 2009 and to the successes we can all share in working together!
With fall finals behind us along with our biggest event of the year, our Young Dressage Horse Trainers Symposium, we are humbled by the appreciation that has surrounded us this season. Scott’s many students benefited from his committed coaching, both at the Region One and the BLM Finals. Camaraderie and support among all our students and friends greatly enriched our experience during the fall finals season. It was a great year for many and the horses blossomed, revealing further potential and accomplishment!
We are so grateful that our closest friend Ingo Pape could join Scott in conducting Symposium this year. Ingo is one of Germany’s most successful horsemen with the most complete background that includes top success from breeding to Grand Prix sport, The sharing of ideas and open dialogue/discussion, along with excellent examples of horses and participant riders, established the basis for our 4th Young Dressage Horse Trainers Symposium to once again capture the essence of training. The camaraderie amongst the trainers was a tremendous reward and strengthened the atmosphere in which we did our best to help each athlete develop into themselves. We were very lucky with the weather—it was a beautiful three days of training at our Riveredge West facility. We toured the new training facility under construction at Riveredge, which created a buzz of excitement to hopefully hold Symposium here next year. We heartily thank our partners in this event, Harmony Sporthorses, and acknowledge the tremendous contribution they continue to offer our dressage community in helping to make this event happen year after year.
With a very busy week at Dressage At Devon behind us, we have barely caught our breath before now heading into the first of our fall finals, the USDF Region One Finals at the NJ Horse Park! These fall venues are so welcome in our schedule, bringing together so many friends and clients we enjoy working with through the year and yet rarely have the opportunity to spend real time with.
At Devon, what a pleasure it was for us to witness the success of so many horses we care about and to see the fulfillment on the faces of our many wonderful clients and friends! (Read more here.) We are grateful to our many friends in the community who reached out to lend a helping hand and make the Devon experience a positive one for so many breeders and riders. Special thanks go to our longtime friends Hans Engberg (and his fiancé Sara) and Mårten Walters who were kind enough to leave their busy lives in Sweden to offer us their excellent handling skills. Sharing our new venture with old friends and looking toward the future together was richly fulfilling. We enjoyed many meaningful visits with friends and breeders whose good will has fueled our commitment and vision in this new phase of life. Thank you to All…for bringing such good energy our way and making Devon 2008 another memorable year for us all!
On our near horizon is our 4th annual Young Dressage Horse Trainers Symposium….an inspiring forum of we are deeply passionate and one that we are most grateful to Harmony Sporthorses for co-hosting with us. We look forward to sharing very productive and meaningful days with the participants of the 2008 symposium and our dear friends Ingo and Susan Pape, co-conductors of this year’s event. As the new training facilities at Riveredge continue to emerge with each passing week, it’s an exciting time to welcome so many friends from afar to our home! Along with news of the fall finals, we’ll share the highlights of all these exciting happenings in the coming weeks.
We're back from our recent travels to Germany for the 2008 World Breeding Championships for Young Horses. While there, we had the privilege of treating our Olympic Dressage Team to a Good Luck send-off dinner! With the 29th modern day games now underway in China, we think of our friends Steffen, Courtney, Debbie and Michael (reserve rider) and wish them every success in Hong Kong. As the realization of yet another Olympic Games for Steffen and Debbie, and the first for Courtney—no less aboard Harmony's Mythilus-- this Olympic team highlights both the depth and the promise of our US dressage program. We celebrate you all and wish the US team success in Hong Kong! We'll be cheering for you!
Much like the Olympic Torch that travels through towns and small villages to make its way in procession to the site of the Olympic Games, over the past several weeks we've watched over 1500 truckloads of dirt and stone arrive in steady procession for delivery to Riveredge in order to prepare the building site for the new training center! Now, on the eave of our own great event, we pause to appreciate all the momentum that has brought us thus far. Leslie Malones's committed attention to detail and design, architects Elvin Engle and Mark Keating making her every concept materialize on paper, and the committed investment of energy on the parts of B&D and Risk Construction have prepared us for our very own Opening Ceremony tomorrow! August 13, 2008 will be the official ground breaking of the new Training Facility at Riveredge! With the contractors all in place and the plans tweaked with recent updates, B&D's crew moves in tomorrow to drive the first stake. Needless to say, our team's enthusiasm is soaring along with our dreams of all that can be accomplished in this spectacular training setting in the future!
Never before has our future felt so fully before us. The initial excavations have begun on the land for the new training facility at Riveredge. The builders have been selected (Congratulations to B&D!) and the vast, earthy pad is being prepared for the beautiful new training facility that Leslie Malone and her architects have worked so hard to perfect. Walking the grounds, looking at all we have planned on paper and feeling the reality that it will soon take up the space that once was fields and paddocks…it's a time when we all tingle with excited anticipation! The track has clear borders and dimensions, set just off the location of the new training facility. The function of the whole space already feels right…it simply awaits the strong hands to come and build it!
Having just hosted this past weekend our 2nd educational event, the Klimke/Hassler Clinic, we're struck by the passion and excitement for learning among all our riders and auditors. Their thirst for dressage and the pursuit of bettering themselves and their horses speaks so highly of our dressage community. It fuels our desire to bring together more talented and inspiring people for educational events in the future. Our commitment and focus on education feels right and inspiring, in and of itself.
Each day, working with and sitting on the amazing horses which are in our full training and care, not only heightens our own inspiration each day, but truly brings our future ever more fully before us. What a tremendous privilege it is each day to work with a superstar like Rousseau, his incredible son Wamberto, the gifted Louisville, charming Davidoff Hit, promising Diamond Stud, and adorable Bodyguard. Knowing that their talent and influence is ours to develop and feeling the awesome reward of their happy progress each day is a gift unlike any other. We feel so fortunate for each of the horses intrusted to our care and our stable is full of special ones (too many to mention here!). We feel so grateful for the wonderful students who come to train with us at Riveredge West, letting us contribute to and share in their own journey. Each day is presently rich in rewards, thanks to the horses and our many students.
Never before has our future felt so fully before us. It’s happening now…and it feels so right! We are deeply grateful for the partnership we’ve experienced, the trust and stewardship placed upon us. We remain committed to excellence and to sharing all these blessings with our community and friends for many years to come.
With the flourish of spring, creative energies among us here at Hassler Dressage seem to be in full bloom as well! Our website has experienced some wonderful additions in the past 
weeks. If you haven't visited these new pages yet, please take some time to view our Young Dressage Horse Trainers Symposium page (YDHTS), which will be further expanded in the weeks ahead. In addition, we've launched our Guestbook, sharing the many warm and wonderful comments students and friends have left during visits with us here in Chesapeake City. We are all very excited about our next educational event, coming up on June 21st. What could be better than a gathering that brings a great group of people together to indulge in our mutual passion of horses and dressage and to celebrate a place which is destined to bring inspiration to our community for years to come!
In the meantime, foaling season is in full swing and we indulge in each joyful phone call or message sharing news of healthy arrivals! Rousseau’s foals have been so consistently lovely they inspire breeders to call right back to breed again! Lingh's foals are making long awaited arrivals, often selling themselves before they even hit the ground! Davidoff Hit's second foal crop is looking as promising as his first. "Davi" has also hit the competitive scene this year with even more expression of his quality and brilliance. To date he is undefeated, having won eight tests at 2nd Level so far this year, scoring consistentlyin the high 60's and low to mid 70's. We're thrilled by his development and delighted to find him coming more and more into his "own." Recently, it's also been fun to welcome Harmony's Weismueller to our stable and we look forward to sharing "Johnny" with you all in person sometime soon.
In the weeks ahead, Scott is soon heading off to coach riders at the three Selection Trials for the World Breeding Championships for Young Horses. All of us at Hassler Dressage wish competitors at these events the best of luck and much success as they rally for the opportunity to head to Verden. We hope that many of you will also apply for our 2008 YDHTS and hope many alumni will return this fall as well. We have much to look forward to together and we embrace this productive time of year wholeheartedly.
On April 24th, amid the spring evening's soft fragrance and the glorious colors of the many and varied blooming trees and shrubs surrounding our home here at Riveredge, we took great pride in welcoming our neighbors and friends to help us celebrate John and Leslie Malone's tremendous generosity to the Chesapeake City area. 
Riveredge and its vast 532 acres have been placed under a conservation easement with the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, protecting this beautiful property forever against development. For several years prior to the Malone's purchase of Riveredge, the community had been fighting the previous landholder's plans to develop its agricultural land; now, the community can breathe again. The Malones have given an extraordinary and significant gift to the region and we are very proud to be part of it.
This celebration coincides with other great beginnings, including the dressage track at Riveredge, its initial foundation very nearly finished; grass will soon be replanted and the land will settle for a few months before we start using it. Just looking at it every day is inspiring….we can hardly wait to take our first horse out for a school next fall! In addition, our building plans for the new training facility are in at the county for permitting and everything seems to be going smoothly. We are very close to selecting a builder and hopes are high that the project will commence within weeks! At Riveredge West, our current training base, we have nearly completed the outdoor arena, which will offer a great alternative to our horses and Scott's many students each day. In addition, our own collection shed is up and running! With Select Breeders Service's mobile lab parked nearby we are now able to collect our stallions at ‘home' rather than transporting to Select Breeders Service main facility each time. This is lovely for the stallions, making life much easier on them. It's an exciting, fulfilling time in every way….so much to feel strong about, so much to celebrate.
Our show season has begun as well and Harmony's Davidoff Hit is off to a great start! He won all four of his 2nd Level classes at EMMA's Spring Fling atGladstone last weekend, scoring consistently in the high 60's. "Davi" has grown up so much over the winter; he's expressing more and more of his quality each day. We're headed to a competition at Morven Park next weekend so we'll keep you posted on his results.
With our first educational event, held Saturday, March 15, 2008, our team at Hassler Dressage stepped up with great enthusiasm to embrace the community and welcome over 120 people to our stable at Riveredge West. What fun! Despite what had been better than a 90% forecast for rain that day, we were blessed with super sunny skies and a beautiful spring day in Maryland. 
Our Interactive Training Demonstration Clinic (click here to read our follow-up article with photos) from the event) gave participants the opportunity to observe and discuss the development of the young dressage horse up through the FEI levels. The event was intended to attract participants to gather for the Region One Annual Meeting which we hosted the following day at the main Riveredge property. At the conclusion of our educational event, we gave an informative presentation of the stallions at Hassler Dressage and then ushered those interested in a sneak peak at that larger Riveredge property to a coach bus for a special tour. With the little party in the barn aisles that followed, it was a great opportunity to celebrate our inaugural event and connect with many new and familiar people in the community.
We were so proud of the stallions, all 8 of them presented so nicely—especially sweet was one of our newcomers Highlife's Bodyguard, the charming Wesser Ems pony stallion who our daughter Sara presented before the crowd! It was a proud feeling to hang our Hassler Dressage sign at the end of the lane and to at last see in place the official bronze plaques titling the property Riveredge. Sharing our home with more than 35 people for the USDF Region One meeting held on Sunday, we had yet another opportunity to fulfill our commitment to give back to the sport. With better than 150 people visiting Riveredge this past weekend, it was a proud feeling to give the community a taste of all Hassler Dressage promises to fulfill at this marvelous property Riveredge.
With the overwhelming news that for the third year in a row, a Rousseau son has been named Champion of the KWPN Stallion Show, the bells are ringing here in Chesapeake City!!! When we selected Rousseau as a coming-three year old back in 2001, we could only trust our judgment of that promising young individual. We had faith in what we thought and hoped he might achieve. We could not have imagined such success would follow for this extraordinary stallion...
His early victories clearly set Rousseau apart from his peers: his Silver Medal victory at the FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Horses, his Champion and Reserve Champion titles at the Dutch National Championships (the PAVO Cup), his victory in the KWPN Stallion Competition, the Divoza Cup. Rousseau's performance career started with a bang and thrust him into great opportunities as a breeding stallion. When the Hanoverian, Oldenburg, and Westphalian Verbands stepped forward to fully license and approved Rousseau for their breeding programs, we recognized the great value in allowing him the opportunity to influence a broader mare base.
The results of Rousseau's years in Europe are just now starting to become clear. After standing for only four years in the Netherlands, he has produced three sons in a row who were named Champion of the KWPN Stallion Show! This is history-making in sporthorse breeding! In Germany, his first foal crops are starting to reveal that his impact is revered in other breeds as well. As a privately-owned stallion, Rousseau's son Fiorano was named to the Premium Ring at the VhW's stallion licensing in Verden. At a later licensing, a Rousseau-Weltmeyer son was licensed and selected to stand at the Hanoverian State Stud Celle. At barely ten years of age, Rousseau can claim thirteen licensed sons and many who have captured Championship titles of their own.
At Hassler Dressage, we know it is real a gift to work with Rousseau each day. We feel truly privileged to manage such an inspiring stallion; one who is making an indelible impact in modern day breeding. ...and we're thrilled to share, embrace and celebrate this moment with you! Congratulations to Harmony Sporthorses, and to all our breeders! Way to go, Rousseau!
Happy New Year and a Prosperous 2008 to all our friends,
from all of us at Hassler Dressage!
At the close of 2007, we can now look back at the year that has passed. With your support, we have successfully moved through both the challenges and accomplishments of this first year of our business! We have made enormous strides in just one year and wish to say Thank You to all who have demonstrated your unending support and encouragement; Hassler Dressage is thriving, thanks to you and our wonderful team!
Our lives here in Chesapeake City, Maryland have been blessed with frequent visits from students, breeders, and other professionals. Our stable is filled with extraordinary horses - mostly stallions! - and we cherish the relationships that stand behind them. For the winter season we have welcomed to our stable a dear friend and talented trainer Brooke Doss and her working student Megan Martin. Our training space benefits from their enthusiasm and professionalism.
We're delighted to announce that the first ground breaking at Riveredge took place the week before Christmas: Arena Works and their sub-contractors have embarked on creating the dressage track that will become a signature feature at Riveredge. This impressive half mile-track will be utilized as a one of a kind training site and will also provide the setting for Riveredge to host events for the sport horse community in the future. Plans for the magnificent training stable are in their final stages; the beauty of its details indicate that this facility will be in a league of its own. We are all tremendously excited as 2008 begins. There is great momentum leading us forward, and we look forward to sharing all the latest developments with you.
A toast to the year ahead! May each of our students, our horses in training, and the extraordinary stallions we represent, accomplish great things! And, may 2008 bring abundance, peace, and fulfillment for us all!
Scott and Susanne Hassler
Congratulations! Felicitations! Hooray! Hoorah! Have a Cigah!
On Saturday, November 24th, at 3:48 pm, a Handsome and healthy baby boy named Braxton Sloane Wortman arrived to join his proud parents—our very own breeding manager Melissa, and proud papa Brad. Weighing in at 6 pounds 4 ounces, and measuring 19 inches tall, Braxton Sloane Wortman brings new meaning and significance to our breeding business. Of course, everyone here at Hassler Dressage is so very happy for them and we share with the new family all the love, blessings, and good cheer of the season.
Congratulations to you three!!!
As we fly to Colorado to conduct our 3rd annual Young Dressage Horse Trainers Symposium, hosted this year by Harmony Sporthorses, we feel positively overwhelmed by all that has been accomplished in a few short weeks. Flying high on the recent stallion performance testing victory of Rousseau's son Wamberto, who we secured for Harmony Sporthorses prior to the announcement of his 2006 KWPN Championship title , we feel enormously blessed to have such quality stallions in our stable for training and management. Rousseau's legacy continues to expand through the outstanding results of his offspring, like Wamberto earning two 10's (character, canter) and six 9's to produce the highest score in North American 100-Day stallion performance testing history. We are overjoyed by Wamberto's return to the spotlight and eagerly look forward to developing him for sport and managing his breeding career. Wamberto has repeatedly moved Susanne to tears since she first laid eyes on him as a late 2-year old....now the fun will begin as they develop their partnership.
Prior to and following the final days of the Stallion Performance Testing, Hassler Dressage hosted our first public events at our Riveredge West facilities. On November 6th, the German Oldenburg Verband inspected a group of stallions, including stallions in our immediate care, Harmony's Locksley I (Londonderry-Weltmeyer), Offield Farm's Hexagon's Louisville (Burggraaf-Vesins xx), and Cathi Bunker's Renoir WF (Royal Diamond-Walt Disney) in addition to two additional stallions, Cicera's Icewater and Don Pikado. It was a successful day for all involved and everyone enjoyed the intimacy and excitement of the day.
On November 13th, we hosted our first ISR/OldenburgNA stallion licensing and happily produced another license for Harmony’s Locksley I and a certified breeding license for Renoir WF. Wendy and Marty Costello's Oldenburg stallion Rosall (Rosario-Akzent II) also received his certified breeding license. Selten HW (Sandro Hit-Hohenstein-Donnerhall), who has found his perfect partner under Brooke Doss, earned an extremely high dressage index to earn his Certified Breeding License. Another successful inspection day behind us, we look forward to opening our doors further to the breeding commuinty and will always look for opportunities to connect breeders and trainers.
On that note, early in November, our good friend and Scott's student Brooke Doss moved her training operation north from South Carolina to base at Riveredge West with us at Hassler Dressage. Brooke's choice to 'go north' instead of 'head south' for her professional development has added seven more horses, including four new stallions, to our stable and we heartily welcome them all to our homebase in Chesapeake City. Brooke and her working student Megan Martin are welcome additions to our Hassler Dressage community and we look forward to beating the cold winter that lies ahead fueled by the positive synergy that surrounds us.
So with this writing, Riveredge West is currently home to twelve stallions and is an exciting, dynamic training base for horses ranging from 3-years to FEI. We are building our breeding shed to prepare for the 2008 breeding season and look forward to sharing plans for an open house come Spring. Over at the main property of Riveredge, we will soon break ground on our signature feature, a half-mile long and 70' wide dressage track, which will be a magnificent resource for the sporthorse community in the future. With so much going on in so many directions, we carry with us the good energy that flows through our clients and community and look forward to giving back through all that lies ahead.
We are sorely overdue for an update to this bulletin! Our team here at Hassler Dressage has immensely enjoyed all the activity that came with opening our doors for business at Riveredge West. Over the last half of August and throughout September, our Bay Rivers Guest House was full (and the stable too) with folks who came to train with Scott. We had professional and amateur riders alike, arriving to prepare for the National Young Horse Championships, Dressage At Devon, various regional finals, and others came just for some regular, down to earth training. We enjoyed the company of people from as far away as Texas, South Carolina, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, New Hampshire, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Thanks to each of you! We enjoyed the candor, enthusiasm, and positive training we had the opportunity to share with you all.
With the start of September, our team was richly enhanced by the addition of a student who held her breath until she was blue....so we just had to hire her! Ashley Frechette (origin: Maine) is a new key member of our stable crew and we heartily welcome her and her horse Lugano to Hassler Dressage. Ashley's dedication to each and every horse, her ardent attention to detail, and her willingness to work long hours made her an obvious addition to our team. We look forward to furthering Ashley's growth as a rider and to continually inspiring her to be her best as we work onward together.
By mid-September, our longtime friend Richard Malmgren joined the team!! We had worked together with Richard for over ten years and with his spot filled on our team, we felt complete at last. Richard will serve as the Sales Manager and Assistant in Marketing for Hassler Dressage. With his vast knowledge, depth of character, and strong ethics, we have indeed added a treasure to our team. For the many who already know Richard, he can be reached by email at Richard@HasslerDressage.com.
Leading up to the annual fall gathering at Dressage At Devon, our stables at the main farm Riveredge were full of horses that needed a lay-over from a long haul. It was a pleasure to host the crew from Horses Unlimited (New Mexico) in addition to Karen Day (Ontario, Canada) and especially exciting to share the property for the first time with our community. With Dressage At Devon itself, we had our first event in public as Hassler Dressage. Our good friend Carla Bahr of Bahr Saddlery in Ontario, Canada deserves special thanks for all her team's assistance in getting us outfitted in time. Equitex in California did a fantastic job on our stable curtains. It felt good to show up for the big event of the season, donning our Hassler Dressage gear, setting up our handsome 'home away from home' which showcased all the stallions we manage, and extending our hand to help however was needed. Many friends lent a hand to our efforts and to each, we thank you! Our old friend Hans Engberg flew in from Sweden to spend the week with us. Hans did a truly outstanding job handling horses which he encountered for the first time that Monday. By the end of the breed show at Devon, we had much to celebrate for his outstanding handling and the lovely horses we had the privilege to present.
It was great fun to see the success enjoyed by all who entrusted their horses to us at Devon. (Click on the link below, for more on Devon Success) Scott's students all prevailed and produced outstanding results! Witnessing many 'firsts' for our breeders and friends made Dressage At Devon 2007 a real success for Hassler Dressage.
By the performance weekend, we had the joy of watching Karin Offield produce two terrific results in the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special aboard her awesome stallion Lingh. The pair has developed exceptional harmony and the flow of each performance was simply breathtaking. Placing 5th in the Grand Prix with a 66.21% and 7th in the Freestyle with 68.25%, Karin and Lingh are soon off to campaign in Europe. We wish them much success in their travels and look forward to posting news of their results here at Hassler Dressage!
Dressage At Devon 2007: Success for Hassler Dressage students and more!
"Life is better on this side of the Canal!..." This cheerful, honest exchange is shared quite commonly amongst our team and customers at Hassler Dressage! We are happily welcoming our first guests to the Bay Rivers Guest House at Riveredge West, where everyone is enjoying the beautiful training space of the newly enhanced covered arena. Meanwhile, we are each taking all that comes with major life transitions...with as easy a state of mind as possible!!
Within the first weeks after our move, we relied heavily upon our fantastic team to continue the care and management of the stallions and horses in our care, while we (Scott and Susanne) headed over to Europe for the World Championships for Young Horses and other business ventures. The time abroad heightened our ambitions for all that we returned to—our horses in training, our business, and this lovely property Riveredge. With our stable at Riveredge West now fully operational and building permits in place for the development of facilities at Riveredge itself, we are looking forward to all that the horse community may look forward to enjoying here together.
Earlier this week, we both served as judges at Lendon's Youth Dressage Festival in Saugerties, NY, where we were fully impressed and inspired by not only the event itself, but the volunteers, parents, and riders behind it. Lendon has created an outstanding event that not only encourages the developing junior or young rider, but helps strengthen the focus of each and every participant to become better riders and horse people. For those not familiar with the event, Lendon creates a reading list for each participant to study over the course of the year leading up to the Festival, and the competition begins with each participant taking a written exam. She then requires that not only each participant ride a dressage test suitable to their level of riding, but that they also participate in a dressage equitation class. Lendon's concept is brilliant and is definitely working! The very foundation of an effective rider is in their properly developed position and use of aids and I am proud to share that I gave a perfect score of 100 to one of the participants (a working student of Lendon's!), who not only sat with elegance and poise but also produced invisible, effective aids on her FEI Young Riders mount! It was inspiring to see such hard-working, dedicated riders and to feel "the love of the horse," good sportsmanship, and good foundations in riding upheld as such top priority. We look forward to producing similarly meaningful events for the horse community to grow by, right here at Riveredge.
With the breeding season coming to a close, we next look to our fall events, including the BLM dressage finals, Dressage at Devon, and our Young Dressage Horse Trainers Symposium. Our old friend Hans Engberg will join us for Devon and will be available to handle stallions, mares, and young horses alike. Please contact our office for any further information if you need help. We wish to also take this opportunity to thank Lisa Rankin, our perpetual summertime helper and hero, for her hard work this summer. Best of luck to you, Lisa, as you head back to school!
Closing Day was filled with that deep, wonderful joy that comes with a dream realized and a sense of relief that our future is truly underway! The last ten days have been loaded with high gear execution of long-held plans as we hands-on prepare our homes and stables for the transitions that lie ahead! We have confirmed the moving date for Hassler Dressage as July 20, 2007. An e-newsletter will soon be sent directly to those of you on our mailing list (sign up here), sharing our Year To Date and more about all that we look forward to at Riveredge. To say that we are a tired but excited team is truly an understatement!
With our transition to Riveredge now before us, the heartbeat of Hassler Dressage is revving up a few notches. The Riveredge closing is scheduled for July 2 and with it comes the green light to begin moving forward with all our plans to create a most wonderful training environment and home for the Riveredge stallions. We're looking forward to our move in mid to late July. Chesapeake City is full of wonderful recreational opportunities, top dining, and classic Maryland landscapes (Check out: www.chesapeakecity.com).
We are certain that our students, breeders, and guests will enjoy the area tremendously! Our neighbors are welcoming us with open arms and our horses have the serenity of this absolutely lovely part of Cecil County to help settle them in. Please check back with us soon to view photos of Riveredge, its buildings, its magnificent trees, and our plans for our training and breeding facilities. We look forward to continuing our mission of Building Relationships, Creating Community in a setting that equally inspires!
Wow! Here it is the middle of May, already! While it feels we have been treading water for a while, working to move our project along at Riveredge (design takes time), we have also had some terrific experiences in the last weeks. We took in the 2007 FEI World Cup as Offield Farms' guests in mid-April and had a great time connecting with friends and colleagues from all around the world. We were very grateful for Karin Offield's generous invitation and were so glad we took her up on it! We enjoyed the opportunity to publicly represent Lingh and have good conversations about the future with so many in our international community. In early May, we took Harmony's Davidoff Hit to his first competition in Leesburg, VA and were thrilled that the judges loved him! He won his debut class with a 72.5% (First Level Test 3). Gale force winds inspired us to scratch the second day of competition, given Morven Park had been dressed up with over 20 multi-peaked tents (it looked like Camelot) for the Queen of England's visit for an international polo match the next week…in 40mph winds, it wasn't an optimal day for building confidence in young horses!
Rousseau also put some spring in our stride these past weeks with the newly released KWPN 2006/2007 index results. Rousseau topped the dressage index with 181 points and also brought in a strong conformation index of 120 points! We are working to update our website with video links of his offsping. Here's one of Blue Hors Zack riden by Andreas Helgstrand.
It's truly springtime…foals arriving around the country, Easter around the corner, and spring horse shows coming up for all of us who stayed north for the winter. It is a time for new beginnings and Hassler Dressage is budding its' own new possibilities! Our first building permit applications have been submitted to our county and we are thrilled by the local support for our new project. The land that will be Riveredge had been in cue with the county's Planning and Zoning division to be developed, so the residents in the area (the smaller landholders along with larger horse farms, like Northview Stallions Station and Winbak) have fully expressed their gratitude that this beautiful area of northeast Maryland will remain horse country! Our plans for the new training facility are finalizing and we are still catching our breath with excitement over its beauty and creative design. Between Scott and Leslie's talents for design, this new facility will be the pinnacle of elegance and function.
It brings us great pleasure to share with all of you our Hassler Dressage Team (click here to visit our Team pages). Jann, Melissa, Emily, and Paul each bring to Hassler Dressage important talents, skill, ideas, and inspiration; we're thrilled to have them a part of our new venture. After many years' collaboration and friendship with each, we value our shared history and know that the company's future is stronger with these bright individuals at our sides.
We're working to expedite the process to commence building the stable and training facility at our new homesite at Riveredge. It's an exciting, scarey, and wonderful time. We have finalized the footprint of the building and as the details come fall into place, we look forward to sharing architectural sketches with you all here.
With the advent of spring and the breeding season upon us, foals are starting to arrive and the excitement of new-ness abounds. We look forward to posting news of the Rousseau, Lingh, and Davidoff Hit foals as they arrive!
February 22, 2007
What a difference a few weeks make! We sent out our press release this week on Riveredge, our future home, with the kind of excitement one feels when something truly special is about to happen…Wow! What a feeling to have the privilege of bringing such a beautiful place to the forefront of our North American breeding and sport community. We plan to keep you updated on its further growth and development, step-by-step, right here on our Bulletin. We remain inspired by the depth of commitment that has brought about such an awesome resource in such a short time period. What reassurance we have found in the community's support and the positive feedback about this next phase of our lives!
January 28, 2007:
The overwhelming support we've received from so many in the horse community has truly made the difference for us during this life transition. To all who have written, phoned, or otherwise expressed their support, we thank you.
It was truly heartbreaking for us to leave Hilltop, but life is about change and we have chosen to embrace this change with optimism and with gratitude. Excited to feel our feet on the ground again, we stand ready, looking forward to sharing with the horse community our further plans for the future.
January 5, 2007:
After more than twenty years dedicated to FEI dressage sport and breeding, we proudly celebrate the birth of our own business: Hassler Dressage.
We begin our new venture following sixteen years fully invested in the growth and development of Hilltop Farm. We make this transition with the deepest appreciation for all the wonderful relationships, experiences, and growth our years at Hilltop afforded us. Designing and building such a lovely facility was a tremendous privilege and will remain a lasting source of pride. Selecting each of the Hilltop stallions, developing them as athletes and contributors to the North American sporthorse breeding industry has fueled our passion over the years. This continues to motivate all that we aspire towards today.
Working alongside and developing Hilltop's talented team, known both nationally and internationally for their professionalism and integrity, has been a tremendous gift in our lives. We will miss them all deeply and wish each great fulfillment in their personal and professional lives from here forward. The many friendships we have gained over these years with staff, clients, and associates have kindled our spirits and will remain with us now through this life transition. To all, we say thank you; each of you has touched our lives in a meaningful and important way.
We are grateful for the generous support provided to us over the years by Jane MacElree, the owner of Hilltop Farm. Her trust, confidence, and belief in our horsemanship provided a very special platform for our professional development. We treasure our memories and bear deep gratitude in our hearts for all that Jane provided, congratulating her for all she has accomplished through Hilltop Farm thus far. We wish her continued fulfillment in its future.
Now we take a bold step forward with the creation of Hassler Dressage, welcoming all the opportunities this will hold. We will continue to represent the sport's highest standard by offering a selection of top quality stallions destined to impact the American sporthorse market.
Scott will continue his national committee work and coaching which have been both inspiring and meaningful. He will continue to train, instruct, and will be available for clinics and symposiums.
Additionally, Hassler Dressage has been invited to participate in a truly exciting project, one that will greatly impact the US dressage and breeding communities. This is a tremendous opportunity. We can all look forward to the growth and development of these plans.
The Mid-Atlantic region successfully meets our interests and business needs and will remain our home. As we look forward together, we welcome you to Hassler Dressage!
Scott & Susanne
