TRAINERS

The primary goal of our two trainers at Mile High is to assist riders in developing their riding skills and confidence in themselves, so that they may meet their individual goals. As a result, they can develop the knowledge and the ability to help their horse move correctly and happily forward in Dressage, Jumping and Eventing. Both are extremely careful not to push a horse or rider beyond their current ability, but at the same time, offer challenges to both at their level.

Lynn's extensive experience in teaching, training and competing has been growing since her youth. In her early 20s, her family moved to Colorado Springs from Oahu, Hawaii where she taught riding at Barber's Point Naval Station and evented at Training Level. In Colorado, she became the Director and Instructor at the Air Force Academy Stables.

In the early 70s, Lynn received her Instructor Certificate under Major Lynch and moved to Morven Park. There she was not only an instructor in dressage and combined training, but was in charge of

the working student program and taught all phases of stable management. Because of her work and knowledge, Lynn is the only person to be awarded the Equestrian Instructor's Certificate from Morven Park Equestrian Institute without actually attending the course. This program was the forerunner of the ICP (Instructor Certification Program).

In the late 70s, Lynn was hired by Lake Erie College in Ohio as an instructor, trainer and barn manager. Under a new Equestrian Program that Lynn started with two other people, she taught all of the advanced classes. In area VIII, she competed two horses at Preliminary Level and worked with the best trainers of the time. In 1980, she was advanced to head instructor and trained riders and horses for the Kentucky 3-Day, the same year coaching jumping teams at the Prix de Ville.

In 1981, Lynn accepted a position as rider/trainer under Torrence Watkins (Gold Medal 3-Day Team member at the L.A. Olympics) at Over The Grass Farm in VA. There she received daily instruction and was exposed to the high levels of 3-Day.

Following Lynn's stay with Torrence, she became an assistant instructor at Foxcroft School where she remained for eight years, teaching 40-50 students weekly, running a barn of 60 horses along with going to competitions. She coached the varsity riding teams for three years and won the championships every year. In 1987 Lynn won the Area II Adult Team and Individual Championship at Preliminary Level along with training several horses to Intermediate.

Returning to Colorado in the 90s, Lynn has now been at Mile High Horse Ranch for twenty years where she has been irreplaceable in building the Combined Training program. She is a great coach and is still tirelessly teaching and training horses. She has been the CCC Trainer Of The

Year three years in a row, has had numerous USEA, MSEA and RMDS awards from Beginner to Preliminary. Her students have also received many USEA and MSEA awards from Beginner to Intermediate. They have placed in the top ten at the AEC Championships in Novice and Training and are currently competing from BN to I.

Personally Lynn continues to seek to improve her own riding and to expand her knowledge and has worked with the best: Jan Byyny, Leslie Webb, Kim Severson, Grant Schneidman, David O'Connor and Mark Phillips, to name a few.

Kathy is a USDF Certified Instructor through Fourth Level and a new member of the Certification Faculty. She is an "L" graduate with distinction. Over the years, she has ridden with many FEI and Olympic Judges and Competitors. She has earned her UDSF Bronze and Silver Medals. Her students have won many year end awards in both Dressage and Eventing.

Kathy began riding Hunter/Jumper at the age of eight. When she moved to Colorado, she met Janet Foy who lured her into the world of Dressage. She turned professional in 1997, but still personally trains with Janet and Sharon Schneidman. Being a big believer in continuing education, Kathy traveled to California where she trained with Hilda Gurney in 1998. In 2003, she made the big journey to Germany where she attended the Etoile Riding Academy.

To increase her already extensive dressage knowledge, Kathy takes advantage of many high level clinics as a participant demonstrator rider or auditor. Most recently was a clinic with George Williams and earlier in 2010 she was a demo rider for Steffan Peters. She also rode with Paul Belasik both here in Colorado and in Pennsylvania. Among other instructors with whom Kathy has worked are Debbie McDonald, Kathy Connelly, Carol Lavell, Uwe Steiner and Leslie Webb. In addition to riding, she has attended many instructor and judge education events through the USDF, the most recent being the FEI Trainer's Conference in Florida. A believer in the effectiveness of dressage, she advocates that it can help all types and ages of riders and all breeds of horses. We are lucky to have her at Mile High.