2022 Fall Symposium program

®
Absorbine/NEDA Symposium
CARL
HESTER
October 15 & 16, 2022
Photo: Jon Stroud
SPONSOR

Table Of COnTenTs
n Volunteers................................. 2
n Welcome................................... 3
n absorbine’s story......................... 4
n Reminders................................. 5
n schedule................................... 7
n Carl Hester bio............................ 9
n Demo Riders.............................. 13
Rider: Katie bachli 13
Rider: lillian simons 15
Rider: Kevin Hadfield 17
Rider: Courtney bolender 18
Rider: leah Drew 19
Rider: Katie Robicheaux 21
Rider: Jordan laplaca 22
Rider: Jocelyn Kraenzle 23
Rider: Olivia laGoy-Weltz 26
Rider: lauren sammis 28
Rider: shannon Dueck 29
Rider: McKayla Hohmann 31
Photo: Jon Stroud
Rider: Mica Mabragana 32
absorbine/neDa symposium n 1

SYMPOSIUM
VOLUNTEERS
s 2022 t
n Event Manager
n Assistant Manager
n NEDA President
n Rider Liaison
& Communications
n Registration Coordinator
n Registration Liaison
n Administrative Assistant
n Mount Holyoke College
EC Director
EC Event Coordinator
EC Stable Manager
n Catering Coordinator
n Decorations
n Volunteer Coordinator
n Volunteer Check In
n Hospitality
n Sponsorship & Advertising
n Speaker Coordinator
n Announcer
n Program Design
n Photographer
n Assistant Photographer
n Tip of the Hat Writer
n T-shirt Handout
n Horse Selection Committee
n Naughton / Markel Insurance
Wine & Cheese Reception
Coordinators
Beth Beukema
Karen Weber
Iris Berdrow
Krista Nordgren
Karen Roberts
Tammy Paparella
Jennifer Bracia
Paula Pierce
Sharyn Antico
Rachel Fulop
Jennifer Marion
Heather Perry
Alison Ingellis
Sally Davenport
Helen van der Voort
Nicole Graf
Beth Beukema
Kari Cincotta
Elizabeth Preston
Paul Eason
June Evers/Horse Hollow Press
Carole MacDonald
Diane Holston
Gina Dailey
Dotti Dawson
Sarah Geikie
Lois Yukins
Carl Hester
Vivian Pilicy
Keeley Titus
n Thank you to the staff and students at Mount Holyoke College
Photo: Jon Stroud
n Thank you to our NEDA volunteer board and all our volunteers.
Without your tremendous efforts we could not hold such a
wonderful event.
n Intercollegiate Dressage Association Team Students and IHSA
team members
2 n Carl Hester

WELCOME
TO THE 2022 ABSORBINE/NEDA SYMPOSIUM!
NEDA is thrilled to welcome back Carl Hester. Carl joined us in 2017, then after having to cancel his
2020 schedule due to the pandemic he agreed to come back this year. We are honored by his commitment
to NEDA and our membership.
Offering educational opportunities is in NEDA’s DNA, it’s part of our mission. Whether the Judge Education
program, the NEDA Know-How Series, Lesson Link, or informative articles in the TIP, we always strive
to bring the best to each of our Aspiring Riders. Your enthusiastic response and participation encourage us
to continue providing the best in all these forums. As a six-time Olympian and gold/silver/bronze medalist,
Carl brings a deep understanding of our sport. This symposium will inspire all riders at all levels, and offer
many insights into achieving improved performance.
We thank the over 100 riders who submitted videos, we wish we could include everyone. The selection
committee had a challenging task in picking the final combinations. The range and quality is amazing - from
junior and under 25 riders, to experienced veterans with Pan Am Games medals, World Equestrian Games
experience and a recent Olympic alternate. As our Symposium Manager Beth Beukema has said many times,
it will be exciting to see Carl work his magic and produce the best out of each combination. A big thank you
to our riders and their horses.
This event would not be possible without the countless hours of work by the organizing committee,
the selection committee, and the team of volunteers. They have been working all year to make this a successful
weekend. And none of this would be possible without Beth Beukema – NEDA Board Member and
Symposium Manager Extraordinaire!! Thank you all.
Thank you also to our sponsors. We are thrilled to have Absorbine as our title sponsor for this prestigious
event. For over 130 years, Absorbine has been “The Horse World’s Most Trusted Name in Horse Care Products”
with brands including: UltraShield, Show Sheen, Hooflex, Magic Cushion, Leather Therapy, Silver
Honey, and more.
We are once again being hosted by the Mount Holyoke Equestrian Center. Their staff and volunteer
teams have been so generous with their time and care for our event. They have worked hard to make their
beautiful facility ready for us.
None of this would work if it wasn’t for our members and auditors. Thank you for making NEDA and this
event special. We hope it exceeds your expectations and offers you many helpful tips to bring back home to
your own riding adventures.
Cheers
,
Iris Berdrow
President, New England Dressage Association
absorbine/neDa symposium n 3

REPRINTED FROM NEDA’S TIP OF THE HAT MAGAZINE
We are pleased that
W. F.Young
is our Title Sponsor:
Here is their story!
Most equestrians grew up
with Absorbine products in
their tack trunks, but many
do not know the history of
this amazing company, so we would like to
share it with you.
This year, W.F. Young, the parent company
of the Absorbine brand of products is celebrating
its 130th anniversary. A love for animals
has always been at the heart of
everything the company does. In 1892, it
was a love of horses—and a belief that
there was a better way to care for them—
that led Mary Ida and Wilbur Young to create
their very first product: Absorbine®
Veterinary Liniment.
Like many significant achievements,
Absorbine® grew out of humble beginnings—and
through the tenacity of someone
willing to question the status quo. In
this case, it was a young woman in late
19th-century Massachusetts: Mary Ida
Young. Her husband, Wilbur Fenelon
Young, was an enterprising piano deliveryman
who relied on the couple’s team of
horses to make deliveries throughout the
Northeast. In those days, if a horse developed
lameness, a common treatment was
“blistering” the affected leg using one or
more caustic agents. The blistered skin
caused increased blood flow to the treated
area, speeding recovery of the injury.
Mary Ida knew there had to be a better,
more humane way. In addition to caring for
their horses, Mary Ida was an avid gardener
and herbologist. Through her knowledge
of healing herbs, she formulated a
special blend of herbs and essential oils
into a tincture designed to increase blood
flow and speed healing—without painful
burning or blistering.
Wilbur and Mary Ida started using her
creation on their horses daily. They were so
impressed with the results that they named it
Absorbine® Veterinary Liniment, and Wilbur
started carrying some on his deliveries. On
one such trip to Syracuse, New York, he sold
a whole case to trainers at a local race track.
In a letter to Mary Ida mailed on his way
home, he wrote: “I have had $42.80 worth of
‘Absorbine’ orders this month. Let the good
work go on. Some day we will make this
boom … Lovingly Yours, Wilbur.”
Wilbur was right. Everyone loved this
humane yet effective way to relieve sore
joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
Mary Ida had indeed invented a new treatment.
They named their fledgling company
W. F. Young — but it has always simply
been called “Absorbine." The exact formula
remains a family secret, but the results
have been trusted by riders and trainers for
more than a century.
Inspired by Mary Ida and Wilbur’s vision,
Absorbine® has continued to add innovative
products throughout the years — products
used every day by horse and pet owners to
help their animals live happier and healthier
lives. Today, W.F. Young has grown into a
global leader in equine and pet care but has
not forgotten its roots. The company remains
family owned and operated and committed
to enhancing the health and well-being of animals
around the world.
The Tip of the Hat
is neDa’s award-winning magazine
with 10 issues a year.
Get it fRee with your neDa membership!
4 n Carl Hester

REMINDERS
TO MAKE YOUR SYMPOSIUM EXPERIENCE ENJOYABLE
n
Please visit our vendors and educational
sponsors. Booths in the
vendor village tent / trailers are
located behind the indoor and
on the canopy in the indoor arena.
n
n
n
n
Lectures in the small arena at
8:15am and 12:15pm. Please
support our sponsors with your
attendance.
Please use the porta-johns in vendor
village.
Lunch will be passed out at the
entrance. Please have ticket from
your packet – Saturday / white ticket,
Sunday/ black ticket.
Coffee is available on the porch,
with a donation to the Mount Holyoke
College IDA and IHSA teams.
n
n
n
No photographs, recording or
videotaping during the presentations.
(Credentialed photographers only). Cell
phones, iPads and all electronic devices
must remain turned off and stowed out
of sight. You will be asked to leave the
venue for failure to follow this policy.
Please stay seated during the riding
sessions to eliminate distractions for
the horses and riders.
Pre-ordered commemorative T-shirts
maybe picked up at the NEDA table in
the vendor village.
Thank You
to our educational event sponsors:
Title Sponsor: Absorbine
Grand Prix: Misty View Equestrian
Presentation sponsors:
Atlantic Equine Services/Boehinger-Ingelheim
HYGAIN Feeds
Intermediate sponsors:
Reiten Right Equestrian footing
The Simple Equine
L & M Boots
Ridely App
Lemieux
Photo: Jon Stroud
Vendor Village will include many of your favorite
so make an early start on your holiday shopping:
-JGR Saddlefit/Prestige Italia
-Saddle Mattress
-Horse and Rider Boutique
-Adequan
-Erreplus Italian Saddlery
-Frederique Studios
-Maine Horse and Rider
-Trafalgar Square Books
-The Vineyard Equestrian
-Synergy PEMF & Saddlery
-Sew You
Silent Auction:
L&M Boots will have
a silent auction at their
booth on the mezzanine
level for a pair of
custom boots with all
the bells and whistles
a $1000.00 value.
absorbine/neDa symposium n 5

October
15 & 16, 2022
sCHeDule
®
absorbine/neDa symposium with Carl Hester
Mount Holyoke
College
equestrian Center
TIME
7:00
7:15
7:15
8:15 - 8:45
9:20
9:30 - 10:15
10:15 - 11:00
11:00 - 11:45
11:45 - 1:15
12:15 - 12:45
1:15 - 2:00
2:00 - 2:30
2:30 - 3:00
3:00 - 3:30
3:45 - 4:00
SATURDAY
HYGaIn feeds
Feeding to Fuel the Dressage Horse
with a Low Starch Diet
Presented by Brady Karren M.S.
Introduction of Carl Hester
SUNDAY
Parking lot open with bussing from Mossier elementary school
Registration Opens — Mount Holyoke equestrian Center
Vendor Village Opens — shopping and Information booths
Located in tent behind arena n Portajohns located next to vendors
both lectures held in small Indoor
sponsored by boehinger-Ingelheim
atlantic equine services
Neck and Back Afflictions in Sport Horses
and Advances in Treatment and Management
Presented by Omar Maher, DVM
4 & 5 year-olds (Different Horses saturday and sunday)
Forever P - Katie Bachli
Hosanna - Lillian Simons
Third level
Jazz Beat - Leah Drew
MoIgaards-Rafiness - Katie Robcheaux
fourth level
Gold Play - Jordan LaPlaca
Shurreal - Jocelyn Kraenzle
Fine Royal - Kevin Hadfield
Furstin Isolde - Courtney Bolender
lunch break: lectures and Vendor Village shopping
(Boxed lunches will be passed out at the entrance area)
HYGaIn feeds
Innovations in Digestive Health and Nutrition
for the Dressage Horse
Presented by Brady Karren M.S.
both lectures held in small Indoor
Prix st. Georges
Johnny Be Goode - Olivia LaGoy-Weltz
Heiline's Oh Land - Lauren Sammis
small Tour
Angelika MW - Shannon Dueck
Intermediate 2
Numberto - McKayla Hohmann
Grand Prix
Diamond Rosso - Mica Mabragaña
sponsored by boehinger-Ingelheim
atlantic equine services
Equine Asthma - Management in Sport Horse
for Optimal Performance
Presented by Jacqueline Bartol DVM
Post Event Activities - Vendor Villages Open
Carl Hester autograph signing
Sponsored by Ridely in the vendor tent - Tickets $20.00 prepurchased
absorbine/neDa symposium n 7

Photo: Jon Stroud
T H E M A S T E R
& L E G E N D
CARL
HESTER MBE
BY NICOLE GRAF
a legend in the sport for over three
decades with multiple medals to his
name, he hardly needs an introduction.
approachable and charming
with a quick-witted sense of humor
both in and out of the arena, Carl is
an inspiration as an exceptional
horseman and athlete. His longawaited
return to new england after
a two-year delay due to the pandemic
is finally here, and neDa is delighted
to welcome him back!
Now a six-time Olympian, Carl made his Olympic
debut at the 1992 Games in Barcelona where he became
Team GB's youngest rider to ever compete at a
Games. He was part of the history-making British
Dressage Team at the 2012 London Olympic Games
aboard Uthopia, when the team won the nation’s firstever
gold medal in dressage. Carl went on to win a
team silver medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio
with Nip Tuck and a team bronze medal at the 2020
Tokyo Olympic Games with En Vogue, almost 30 years
since his first Olympic appearance. Hester proved age
is no barrier as the oldest member of the class of Tokyo
2020, heading to Japan aged 54, where he clinched
the bronze medal alongside teammates Charlotte Dujardin
and Charlotte Fry.
Hester has also competed at four FEI World Equestrian
Games (WEG), winning a team bronze medal
at the 2018 WEG, and team silver medals at the 2014
and 2010 WEG. He has competed at 11 European
Championships winning seven medals, including team
gold and double individual silver medals in 2011; team
silver medals at the 2021, 2015 and 2009 championships;
as well a team bronze in 2013. Continued →
absorbine/neDa symposium n 9

He is the most successful British dressage
rider in history, amassing over 60 National
Championship titles and has been
British National Champion an incredible ten
times. He is famous for his ‘galloping Laps
of Honor’ at the Nationals which are always
a crowd pleaser! Carl was named as the
British Olympic Association (BOA) Olympic
Athlete of the Year for equestrian in 2011.
Carl Hester the Early Years
Carl was born into a non-horsey family
on June 29, 1967, and grew up on the tiny
remote island of Sark, the crown jewel of
the Channel Islands, which is nestled in between
Guernsey and Jersey, 80 miles south
of England. The island has no cars and
therefore all travel was–and still is–done by
bicycle or equine. This is where Carl
learned to ride, although it was not on a
horse, but on a donkey that he rode to and
from the village shop. He actually didn’t
even ride in a saddle until he was 16 yearsold!
He eventually moved on to ponies and
horses, and successfully competed in local
gymkhanas. Carl still has family living on
the island and visits regularly. In January he
won the 2016 Channel Islands Sports Personality
of the Year Award for the second
time, having previously won it in 2012.
Carl’s life changed in 1989 when Dr. Wilifred
Bechtolsheimer, “Dr. B,” asked him to
come work as a rider at his facility, an interview
that Carl admits was a bit nerve-wracking.
He was offered the opportunity to ride
nice horses, have training, live in a beautiful
flat (apartment) on the property, AND get
paid a weekly wage. “I thought all my birthdays
had come at once!” said Carl.
Carl trained and rode with Dr. B for over
three years, during which time he competed
Carl and Valegro. Photo: Jon Stroud
at the first-ever FEI World Equestrian
Games in Stockholm, Sweden in 1990
on Rubelit von Unkenriff. He then competed
with Giorgione at the 1991 FEI European
Championships followed by the 1992
Barcelona Olympics.
“It was the most amazing thing that had
ever happened to me, and a period that
changed the course of my life,” reflected Carl
who still credits Dr. B as the most influential
person in his career. “One thing I’ll never forget
is when he said, “If you can’t come down
the centerline straight with a square halt and
trot off, well that’s no good to me.”
Carl maintains his thankfulness to the
Bechtolsheimers for giving him the chance
of a lifetime. Their daughter Laura, very
young at the time, would later become
Carl’s gold-medal winning Olympic teammate
at the 2012 Games in London.
After leaving the Bechtolsheimers, Carl
decided to go out on his own and created a
business venture with Kate and Stuart
Carter at their facility in Stow-On-The-Wold
in the Cotswolds, a relationship that lasted
10 years. The many horses that Carl
trained during that time included Argentile
Gullit, his mount at the 2000 Olympic
Games in Sydney, Australia, and Kate’s
stallion Donnersong, the first horse he
trained himself to grand prix.
In 2004, Carl designed his own worldclass
equestrian facility in Newent, Gloucestershire,
and has never looked back.
Considered to be one of the world’s best
trainers, Carl has brought countless horses
to the elite grand prix level, while insisting
they enjoy life as ‘normal horses.’ His
weekly training regime includes four days
of training interspersed with two days of
hacking out and one day off. They spend
time in the paddocks each day, and if it suits
a particular horse, even living out in the field
at night is not out of the question if it makes
them happier in their work.
Carl has owned or co-owned many of his
top horses, and has welcomed them back
to his facility to live out their years in luxury
retirement. He has even made special stables
for the two of the most famous horses
in the world, Uthopia and Valegro.
The partnership with the breathtaking
dark stallion Uthopia launched Carl’s career
into the stratosphere. They were part of the
Gold medal winning British Team at the
2011 FEI European Championships in Rotterdam,
The Netherlands, where Carl also
took home the Individual Silver medals.
Of all the horses Carl has ridden to
Grand Prix, he rates Uthopia as the easiest
of them all. “From the first time I rode him I
knew he was special,” said Carl. “He was
just like a rubber ball, with so much bounce
in both the trot and the canter. He also has
an amazing personality and doesn’t act like
a stallion."
Most notably, the duo were part of the
history-making British Dressage Team at
the 2012 London Olympics alongside Laura
Bechtolsheimer on Mistral Hojris, and Carl’s
long-time student, Charlotte Dujardin on
Valegro. Carl and Uthopia finished in the
top five of the three tests, playing a vital role
in helping to win the nation’s first-ever
Olympic Team Gold medal on the 100th anniversary
of the equestrian sport in the
Olympics. As we all know, Charlotte and
10 n Carl Hester

Valegro went on to have their own fairytale
story, setting four world records and
becoming the first-ever duo to hold
Olympic, World, European and World Cup
Championship titles simultaneously. All of
which was achieved under Carl’s watchful-eye
and incredible coaching.
Accolades
Carl’s talent and dedication to the sport
has earned him numerous and well-deserved
accolades. He was named the firstever
Honorary Patron of British Dressage
for his nearly 30 years of service to his
sport in November 2016. He was awarded
the 2016 Global Dressage Visionary
Award and the British Horse Society
(BHS) bestowed him with an Honorary
Fellowship, their highest honor of which
only seven people hold the title. In 2015,
Carl received the BHS Queen’s Award for
Equestrianism, while the highly regarded
French equestrian yearbook, L’Annee Hippique,
named Carl ‘Best Rider of the Year’
and ‘Best Trainer of the Year’ in back-toback
editions. In 2013, Queen Elizabeth
awarded Carl with an MBE, Member of the
Most Excellent Order of the British Empire,
for winning the Team Gold medal in London.
In 2011, the British Olympic Association
named him the Equestrian Athlete of
the Year.
New stables built for
Valegro and Utopia
for their retirement
Photo: Nicole Graf
Learning from the Master
Carl has penned several top-selling
books, including his must-read autobiog-
raphy called, “Making
It Happen,” and
has produced excellent
training videos.
He has launched a
new series of train-
ing videos tailored for all levels of riders,
which can be found exclusively in the
Ridely app. Videos can be watched in the
app or on a computer for a larger view.
Carl’s positive style of teaching for
both horse and rider is a pleasure to
watch. He has changed the temperature
of dressage, and it is a delight to welcome
him back to New England! n
absorbine/neDa symposium n 11

DEMO RIDER
KATIE BACHLI
is the assistant trainer at MMDressage, USDF Gold
Medalist Molly Maloney’s training facility in Clinton
Corners, NY. Her love of riding horses began at age
three when she asked her father for riding lessons.
Katie trained and evented into her early twenties, before
deciding to focus solely on dressage. She purchased
her first dressage horse, a 3-year-old gelding,
Grambling, in 2014. The pair went on to win USDF Region
8 Championships at 1st Level in 2017 and at 2nd
Level in 2019. Katie turned professional in 2015, and
she is involved in the day to day training and wellbeing
of multiple FEI horses and horses she is working
to bring up the levels. n
FOREVER P
is 2018 Hanoverian mare (For Compliment x De Niro)
who was bred in the US by Prosperity Farm. Katie purchased
her as a lightly-backed three-year-old, and
started her show career this year, qualifying for the
USDF Regional Championships. Katie says, “It has
been a joy to train her. She learns quickly, is responsive
to light aids, and she has the ability to focus and relax
even when she is presented with new environments.
Next year, I look forward to trying to qualify for the US
Festival of Champions at Lamplight in the 5-year-old
division and the USDF Regional Championships at
First Level.” n
Katie Bachli on Forever P. Photo: Michelle Morgentern Photography
Young Horse Tips from CARL
Safety first!
Rhythm, contact & forward
f
Physically, the young horse
will not be mature
until 7 years old
absorbine/neDa symposium n 13

DEMO RIDER
LILLIAN SIMONS
is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College. After finishing
her studies in 2018, she made the decision to pursue
horses full time as a professional. Lillian’s
competition highlights include representing Region 8
on the Young Rider team at the North American Junior
and Young Rider Championships in 2015 with her
horse Willoughby. They were later invited to the
Young Rider Nationals at Lamplight where they finished
fifth. n
HOSANNA
(Hotline x Shawnee x Shakespeare RSF) was bred by
Maureen Swanson’s Rolling Stone Farm. She is coowned
by Lillian and Wesley Dunham, who purchased
her as a yearling from Lauren Melikian Strope.
Hosanna successfully started her competition career
in the Materiale classes in 2021, ending her season last
fall at Dressage at Devon. This year she has been competing
successfully at First Level, with scores consistently
in the mid 70s, and she is schooling higher
elements. Lillian describes her as having a willing demeanor,
with excellent trainability and athleticism.
“This mare has an affectionate personality, loves attention
and genuinely enjoys being around her humans.
She has been a forward-thinking and very trainable
horse from the beginning. We affectionately call her our
little pocket rocket.” n
More Tips from CARL
If you are riding with the whip,
your horse shouldn't be best friends
with it, but he shouldn't be scared,
either. Do not use the whip to
make the horse go (tap, tap, tap).
Practice riding without
a whip frequently
f
You don't have to sit all the time.
You help the horse use
his back if you post
Lillian Simons on Hosanna. Photo: Stacy Lynne
THANK
YOU
SPONSORS
& ADVERTISERS
f
absorbine/neDa symposium n 15

DEMO RIDER
KEVIN
HADFIELD
is a USDF bronze and silver medalist and is the owner
of Hadfield Horses, a dressage training operation
based in Mendon, MA. Kevin has spent most of his
life in the saddle and transitioned full time to dressage
training in 2019. The pride of his program is a personal
horse, Preston, a draft horse who he rescued
from a field and now schools Grand Prix. Kevin is an
active competitor in Region 8 and has active goals of
achieving his gold medal and the diamond award. n
FINE ROYAL
is a 4-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Feinrich x Rubin
Royal imported in 2021 from Belgium. He was bred in
France. Fine Royal is schooling all four-year-old movements
and gaining confidence in the show ring. He received
a 79% in his first materiale class this season. n
Kevin Hadfield on Fine Royal. Photo: Pictorial Tales Photography
Rider Position Tips from CARL
Forward upper body to go
forward, weight aid to come back.
Don't lean forward
in downward transitions
f
Horse's head should
be in front of your chest
f
To get the feeling of having
your weight on the inside seatbone
for lateral work, lean
over and look back at inside hind
absorbine/neDa symposium n 17

Courtney Bolender with Isoldae. Photo: Sid Toama
DEMO RIDER
COURTNEY
BOLENDER
is a USDF silver and bronze medalist based in North
Salem, New York. From an early age, Courtney knew
that she wanted to pursue a dressage career, and the
sport has been at the center of her life for over 20
years. Throughout her journey, Courtney has qualified
and placed for USDF Regional Championships on
many horses and has won multiple year-end awards.
Courtney has regularly trained with Henk van Bergen
and Lars Petersen. n
ISOLDE
or “Izzy,” is a 6-year-old Hanoverian mare (Furstenball
x Dancing Darkness x De Niro). Born in North Salem,
New York, and purchased a 4-year-old, she was initially
shown up to first level, and then competing in the
FEI Young Dressage 5-year-old classes last season.
According to Courtney, Izzy is an uncomplicated,
straight-forward mare who has a work ethic like no
other. She never shies away from any question that is
asked of her, and she truly is a special mare with a kind
soul and “can-do” attitude. n
18 n Carl Hester

DEMO RIDER
LEAH DREW
is a 16-year-old FEI Junior rider from Lincoln, Massachusetts.
She is a full-time junior at Lincoln Sudbury
Regional High School. Leah has participated in Pony
Club National Championships, Dressage 4 Kids’ Winter
Intensive Training Program and Team Program, the
North American Youth Dressage Championships, and
multiple USDF regional championships. Since 2021,
Leah has been working with Hope Cooper and Jane
Karol at Bear Spot Farm in Concord, Massachusetts.
Eventually, Leah would like to become a professional
dressage rider and aspires to one day represent the
United States in the Olympics. n
JAZZ BEAT
is an 18-hand 2010 Hanoverian gelding (Jazz x Sandrina
x Sandro Hit). “Jazzy” was born in the Netherlands
and was sold to Berryfield LLC as a 5-year-old
to begin training with Marie Louise Barrett, Leah's
longtime trainer. Leah and Jazzy have been a team
since June 2021, and within three months qualified
for and competed at the USDF Regional Championships,
winning reserve champion in the 3rd level
JR/YR division. Since then, they have shown at multiple
CDIJs and national shows with much success.
They ranked as the top Junior pair in the United
States going into Festival of Champions, and were
the anchor pair for Region 8’s 4th place finish at the
2022 North American Youth Championships. Going
into next season, Leah and Jazzy plan to make the
step up to the Young Rider division. n
Leah Drew on Jazz Beat. Photo: Susan Stickle
Young Horse Tips from CARL
Repetition is key
in order to
build condition/strength
f
absorbine/neDa symposium n 19

DEMO RIDER
KATIE
ROBICHEAUX
is a USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist. Katie
began riding at an event barn in her hometown of
New Orleans, but soon turned to dressage. During
her teens, Katie spent her summers as a working student
for Ed Borrenson in Pennsylvania. Ed introduced
Katie to Anne van Olst, a Danish trainer and
rider living in Holland, with whom Katie eventually
spent four years working and training. While in Holland,
Katie competed in the Pavo Cup three times,
finishing in the top 20 twice and winning the Best
Gelding prize in 2008. That same year, Katie competed
in the International Young Horse Championships
in Verden, Germany, finishing in the top 12.
In 2013, Katie and her husband, jumper Vincent
Bailleul, formed L’Acadiane Equine Management in
Massachusetts. n
MØLGAARDS
RAFINESS
Thirteen-year-old mare Mølgaards Rafiness (by
Skovens Rafael x Ibi Light) was imported from Denmark
in May 2021. A late starter in dressage, “Rafi’s”
competitive history in Denmark includes high scores
at the Prix St. Georges level. Purchased for junior rider
Lucy Koerne, Rafi and Lucy were named First Level
JR/YR NEDA Year-End Award champions in 2021. The
pair then made the jump to the FEI Junior Team and
Individual tests. As Lucy is now in France for her junior
year of high school, she left Rafi in the hands of her
trainer, Katie. n
Rider Position Tips from CARL
Keep your elbows with you
in the shoulder-in
f
Katie Robicheaux on Møligaards Rafiness. Photo: Carole MacDonald
THANK
YOU
MOUNT HOLYOKE
TO YOUR STUDENTS AND STAFF
f
absorbine/neDa symposium n 21

DEMO RIDER
Jordan Laplaca on Gold Play. Photo: Stacy Lynn
JORDAN LAPLACA
in addition to being a USDF gold medalist, is also an FEI
starred combined driver. He has competed throughout
North America and has earned championship and year-end
award placings in both dressage and combined driving. He
has also helped many students achieve their USDF bronze,
silver, and gold medals. He trains and coaches out of Maverick
Hill Dressage, and is currently working with Charlotte
Bredahl with his developing young horse Gold Play. n
GOLD PLAY
(Grey Flanell x Sir Donnerhall), is a 2015 German imported
Oldenburg gelding. He was purchased by Nancy Hutson
from the Hof Kasselmann Stable in Hagen Germany, as a
prospect for eventual co-owner Jordan. He was a successful
FEI 6-year-old last year, taking the 2021 NEDA Year-End
Award Reserve Champion. In March, Gold Play was presented
by Jordan to Christine Traurig at the Merkel Emerging
Young Horse Program in Wellington. He has successfully
competed as an FEI 7-year-old during the 2022 season. He
has achieved scores in the upper 70%, and competed in this
year's "Festival of Champions.” Outside of being an incredible
athlete, Jordan describes Gold Play's character as simply
“just a good boy, and is affectionate, loves to work and
is always ready for the next adventure. n
NEW FROM NEDA
lesson link
n Connect with Trainers and Judges
n Gain a New Perspective from
Top Experts
a donation of $60.00 gives
you a great experience
and supports neDa
Scan
here!
CHECK OUT OUR LINEUP AT:
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22 n Carl Hester

DEMO RIDER
JOCELYN
KRAENZLE
is a USDF bronze, silver, and gold medalist. At the
age of five, her riding career started at a small farm in
Bennington, Vermont, where she rode in winter boots
and a bicycle helmet. After graduating from college,
she spent almost five years in Wellington, Forida,
where she worked with trainers such as Lars Peterson,
Conrad Schumacher, Bill Warren, Bill McMullin
and Jacalyn Smith. She discovered a passion for riding
young horses when she accepted a job from Mo
and Jim Swanson of Rolling Stone Farm to train,
compete and sell their homebred Oldenburg horses.
She continues to expand her knowledge by clinicing
with Jim Koford and Lauren Sammis. She has had
many successes with the Rolling Stone Farm horses
in dressage competitions, dressage breed shows and
Oldenburg Mare Tests. n
SHURREAL
Special Premium Candidate Shurreal is an 8-year-old,
16.3 h. German Oldenburg (GOV) mare by Sezuan
(Zack/Don Schufro) out of Elite mare Rheporter (Royal
Prince/Weltmeyer). She was the winner of her Mare
Performance Test as a three-year-old and named a
Special Premium Mare. Shurreal was the 2020 USDF
Horse of the Year at 2nd level. After taking last year off
due to injury, in 2022 she is having a successful show
career at 4th level. n
Jocelyn Kraenzle on Shurreal
Rider Position Tips from CARL
Legs hang,
and then on, or off
f
Rider must not exaggerate
the hollow in their back
f
LIGHT seat with forward hand
in the canter transition,
then SIT immediately
absorbine/neDa symposium n 23

Olivia LaGoy-Weltz on Johnny Be Goode
26 n Carl Hester
THANK
YOU
DEMONSTRATION RIDERS
& HORSE OWNERS
YOU ARE TERRIFIC
f
DEMO RIDER
OLIVIA
LAGOY-WELTZ
is originally from northern California, where she grew
up riding in dressage and eventing. After graduating
high school, she spent five years working and riding
in Holland and Germany. In 2009, Olivia moved to
Versailles, Kentucky to work for Kathy Priest at Woodspring
Farm. In 2013, she moved to Virginia and, two
years later, opened Mountain Crest Farm in Haymarket,
where she has been based ever since. Olivia has
been a long-time member of the USEF Elite Dressage
List with Rassing's Lonoir. This pair was the traveling
alternate for the Pan American Games (2015), and the
World Equestrian Games (2018), and the reserve
team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. They represented
the USA on several Nations Cups in the US and in Europe,
including Aachen and Rotterdam. The pair qualified
for the World Cup in 2020 and 2021 (both of
which were canceled due to COVID-19 and EVH.) n
JOHNNY
BE GOODE
(Dream Boy x Amazing Grace x Tietse 428) belongs to
Fritz and Claudine Kundrun. Johnny competed at the
World Young Horse Breeding Championships as a 5-
year-old under Emmelie Scholtens in 2019, and he was
the highest ranked gelding at the 5-year-old finals that
year. He was purchased later that fall by the Kundruns
and imported to the US. For the next year, he was developed
by Kya Enderson, under the watchful eyes of
Allison Brock and Richard White. In December 2021
Olivia LaGoy-Weltz took over the ride on Johnny. At
the time of printing, Johnny and Olivia are ranked number
one in the country for the Developing PSG. Olivia
says, “Johnny recently discovered watermelon--
though he's not a big fan of the rind-- and he loves to
roll in the round pen, but he's not a fan of staying outside
very long.” n
More Tips from CARL
Don't let your lower leg
get too far back;
this prevents your leg
from "breathing" and
tips your upper body forward
f

Lauren Sammis on Heiline’s Oh Land. Photo: Stacy Lynne
DEMO RIDER
LAUREN SAMMIS
A longtime professional in the dressage community, Lauren
Sammis has a competed with dozens of memorable horses
over the past three decades. A highlight of her career was
representing the United States at the Pan American games
in 2007, where Lauren and Sagacious HF earned a gold and
silver medal. Together, they also participated in Olympic and
World Equestrian Games selection events. Currently, Lauren
is a trainer and instructor out of her very busy stable in New
Jersey, and she also maintains a full clinic schedule. Her
students compete on all levels from training level to Grand
Prix, and Lauren also coaches some high-level three-day
eventers. Lauren has trained with a number of top professionals
in the dressage industry and considers Ashley
Holzer her primary trainer. n
HEILINE’S OH LAND
owned by Peggy Gordon, is a seven-year-old Danish mare
by Goldfinger VDT. She is known as “Leia” in the stable. Imported
from Denmark as a six-year-old, she has been ridden
and trained by Lauren for the last year and a half. According
to Lauren, Leia is a very generous, brave, and athletic young
mare with unlimited potential. Leia is starting to show the
ability for the Grand Prix, schooling small steps of piaffe and
passage and a few one-tempis. n
More Tips from CARL
28 n Carl Hester
THANK
YOU
VOLUNTEERS
WE COULDN’T DO IT
WITHOUT YOU!
f
Look in mirror—throat latch should be
U-shaped, not V-shaped
f
You need to sit the way you stand
on the ground
f
Hips through the hands at canter
f
You shouldn't have to shorten the steps
to collect the walk from free or extended
walk. Just shorten up the reins
f
Raise bit to corners of horse's mouth
in horses that won't take the contact.
Let bit hang lower in a stronger
horse's mouth

DEMO RIDER
SHANNON DUECK
turned to international dressage competition after riding
for years in Three-Day Eventing and at the Thoroughbred
racetrack at her home base of Vancouver, Canada. In
1999, she and Korona won the individual silver medal at
the Pan American Games, and since then she has successfully
represented Canada with numerous self-trained
horses, including at the World Equestrian Games and the
World Cup. A Pony Club alumni and an Equestrian
Canada certified coach, Shannon has a M.S. in Equine
Nutrition from Texas A&M University and has been a key
Equine Science faculty member at Olds College and
Johnson and Wales University. Shannon is currently the
team trainer for the Colombian Dressage Team, leading
them to the 2019 Pan Am Games in Lima, the World
Championships, and the Bolivarian Games in 2022.
Coaching at the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2021 was
also a highlight, with her student finishing top six in the
Para 3 Category. Shannon along with her husband Lorne
operate Dueck Dressage in Loxahatchee, Florida, where
she runs a training/lesson and clinic program for serious
dressage enthusiasts of all levels.
In 2011, Shannon spent six months with Carl Hester in
Great Britain with her International Grand Prix mare
Ayscha. Angelika, by Fanziskus, is Ayscha’s only foal.
She made her competitive debut at Global Dressage
where she garnered scores up to 80% in 3rd and 4th
level. In March, she started in PSG in the International
Stadium, and won a large CDI* PSG the day before her
7th birthday. She finished the season with a 3rd place
finish in the hugely competitive Summit Young Horse
PSG Championships. She has currently shown to Intermediate
1 with scores over 73%, and is starting to school
the Grand Prix. n
Rider Position Tips from CARL
To get overstep in walk,
do not use moreleg—
use "rowing arms"
f
Rider's left hand must be
married to the right hand
Shannon Dueck. Photo: Susan Stickle
NEDA: THE NEW ENGLAND DRESSAGE ASSOCIATION
Membership benefits
n Unparalled Educational
Opportunities
Including:
l NEDA Fall Symposium
l Weekly NEDA Know-How
Webinar Sessions Jan-March
n Scholarships & Discounts
to audit certain clinics
n 10 annual issues of our awardwinning
periodical A Tip of
the Hat
n Year End Awards & Banquet
n Discounted PRO edition/Ridely app
n Omnibus Prize List (free if joined
by November 30th)
n Volunteering, Friends and
Comraderie!
n And more!
www.NEDA.org for details!
absorbine/neDa symposium n 29
Photos: Top - Emily Bowes, middle - Beth Jenkins, bottom: Jon Stroud

DEMO RIDER
MCKAYLA HOHMANN
is a USDF bronze, silver, and gold medalist originally from Wisconsin.
She was inspired to ride horses by her mother, who competed in the
hunter jumpers. McKayla has been a working student for Liz Austin
for the past five years, with whom she has been learning how to develop
young horses and also build her own feel for dressage. She
has participated in Pony Club Nationals, the Winter Intensive Training
Program, the North American Youth Championships, and multiple
USDF regional championships. n
NUMBERTO
a 21-year-old KWPN gelding (Negro x Jasmijn x Ahorn)was born in
Holland. He was trained at Van Olst stables and eventually spent time
in the early 2010s training with Carl Hester in England with rider
Spencer Wilton. He has competed at many of the most prestigious
shows in the world, including Aachen (where he received a “10” for
his one tempis!). Numberto was also selected for the British Team for
a National Cup in Hickstead. McKayla remarks that he has been the
most incredible schoolmaster. Last year, the team was reserve National
Champions for the Brentina Cup, and Numberto recently
helped McKayla finish scores for her USDF gold medal. n
McKayla Hohmann on Numberto. Photo: Susan Stickle
absorbine/neDa symposium n 31

DEMO RIDER
MICA
MABRAGAÑA
is an USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist from Argentina.
Additionally, she is a USDF Certified Instructor
(Training through 4th level). Early in her career,
Mica was a working student/assistant trainer for
Lendon Gray for five years. In 2011, Mica opened her
own training business, Malena Dressage. Through
her career, she has trained with Courtney King-Dye,
Scott Hassler, Henk Van Bergen, Oded Shimoni,
Robert Dover, Steffen Peters, Lilo Fore, Beth
Baumert, and others. Some of Mica’s competitive
highlights include representing Argentina at the Young
Rider World Cup in Frankfurt, the Nations Cup in
Wellington, the Pan American Games in Toronto, and
qualifying for the World Equestrian Games in 2014.
Mica is currently training with Antonio Diaz Porras
from Spain. Mica and Antonio run their business out
of Storybook Farm in North Salem, NY. n
Mica Mabragaña on Diamond Rosso
32 n Carl Hester
neDa eDuCaTIOnal
sCHOlaRsHIPs
NEDA members please take note -
Scholarships are currently available
for qualified applicants...
that could be you!
The next deadline for scholarship
applications is Nov. 1st!
To receive an application or an
informational brochure about the
Scholarship Program. Go to:
http://www.neda.org/?page=SCHMAIN
Amy Bresky
Scholarship Chairman
3403 Youngs Rd., Southern Pines, NC 28387
Phone: (978) 270-3880
E-mail: scholarships@neda.org
Don’t Miss the Deadline!
DIAMOND ROSSO
is a 2010 Hanoverian gelding by Diamond Hit, and is
owned by Marjaleena Berger. Marjaleena acquired
Rosso in 2016, and together they competed through
4th Level. Mica was handed the reins three years ago,
and, in 2020 the team traveled to Spain to train with
Antonio Diaz Porras, with the intention of competing
on the European tour. Unfortunately, due to COVID,
they were only able to compete in a couple of shows
before returning to the United States. The pair made
their successful Grand Prix debut his summer, with an
aim of eventually representing Argentina on the international
circuit. Mica states that Rosso is truly a horse
of a lifetime and she is immensely grateful for the opportunity
to ride him. n
Rider Position Tips from CARL
STOP HANGING ON
THE CURB REIN
f
Short reins win medals"
really means: Hands need to
be in front of the saddle, not
"scratching your belly"