More about Scott Hassler

Scott Hassler has one of the most diverse backgrounds of today's respected horsemen in the U.S. He grew up eventing and competing open show jumpers through the Intermediate and the mini-Prix levels. As a young teenager, he rode for the early Holsteiner organization in the US, preparing horses for auction and sale out of the Holsteiner headquarters in Virginia.  Scott won numerous Jr/Young Rider titles, one year winning a national title with the USDF and the US Eventing Association on the same horse.  Scott also had the experience of competing internationally as a member of a 4-in-hand driving team, competing both in Donaueschingen, Germany and Appledoorn, Netherlands.
 
After his young rider years, Scott dedicated himself completely to the sport of dressage and the passion of warmblood breeding. He spent two and a half years training under the late great master Herbert Rehbein at the famous Groenwohldhof, near Hamburg, Germany. There, he dedicated himself to studying the other warmblood breeds and understanding the connection between breeding and sport. He finished the two Holsteiner stallions Cabaret and Nurejev to Grand Prix during these years, competed in German national shows, and returned to the US with the Westphalian stallion Parabol. Scott earned a wealth of friendships during those years, important relationships that continue to remain central to his life.
 
During the years Scott developed Hilltop Farm, he trained and developed twelve additional horses to Grand Prix, making his life's tally well over 25. He was listed on the USET's Short List with both the Swedish Warmblood gelding Chardonne and with Parabol, and was finalist with both horses for the Pan American Games Selection in 1995.
 
Scott continued his development as rider under notable trainers Harry Boldt and Michael Klimke, among others. Scott and Michael continue to exchange coaching support to one another. Since 1998 Scott has been one of the few Americans who is a member of the International Trainers Club. His horsemanship is known and respected world wide.
 
In 2004, Scott conducted the USDF National Training Symposium along with Steffan Peters and Christoff Hess. Scott took on the Young Horse development and breeding section of the program, which highlighted his recent accomplishment in coaching his wife Susanne to the highest placed finish by any American at the FEI World Championships for Young Horses.
 
In 2005, recognizing the need to inspire more trainers to take on the growing realm of young horse development, Scott created the first-ever Young Dressage Horse Trainers Symposium, cosponsored by Hilltop Farm and Harmony Sporthorses. This inspiring event took place again in 2006, fielding interest from more than 500 cumulative applicants and providing 3-intensive days of training for more than 140 participants. Ingo Pape and Dr. Ulf Moeller joined Scott for the 2005 symposium; Ingo Pape and Ann Gribbons joined Scott to conduct the 2006 symposium.
 
Since 1999, Scott has sat on the USEF Dressage Committee, the USEF Breeding Committee, and has chaired the USDF Sporthorse Committee since 2001. His leadership has helped bring about such critical developments as the sport/breeding related record-keeping system now active in the USDF and USEF. As the sole representative for the sport of dressage, Scott now serves on the USEF Strategic Planning Committee, assisting in the long-term planning for the country's national horse sport organization.