Online Showing in Western Dressage - The Overlooked Details That Impact Your Score

About Ida:

Ida grew up in the rural Maine on her parent's appaloosa breeding farm. There she rode hunt seat/saddle seat/western while breaking and showing young stock, eventually becoming the 1978 Maine appaloosa Queen, representing Maine in the Nationals in Billings Montana. She showed apps extensively garnering local, regional and national awards. She received national awards in 4-H programs for public speaking, Horsemanship, and health; graduated from U.S Pony Club of America with the highest rank given an H-A and attended the University of Maine Farmington, Teachers college starting college early (her Junior year of High School).

Ida's Dressage Studies:

Ida began her education with her first riding instructor Olympian Michael Poulin of Fairfield, Maine. She rode with Mr. Poulin from the age of 11 to 19, benefitting greatly form his experience and variety of schooled dressage horses. She credits Michael with giving her " an elastic seat" and the grit " to get the job done".

At age 19 she went on to study classical dressage over a five-year period with Maestro Nuno Oliveira of Avessada , Portugal. During this time Ida at a time in Portugal riding and studying training techniques.

" To absorb classical technics of classical dressage from maestro Oliveira was an opportunity of a lifetime. I spent every minute of the day that I was not riding sitting in the gallery of his ménage watching and taking notes! it was incredible! I credit him with giving me "feel and lightness" and the best basics of in-hand work!"

In 1985 Ida met and began studying with Frau Maria Zimmer, well known dressage Judge from Lübeck Germany. She studied with Frau Zimmer in Germany and the U.S.A. " Maria gave me lessons daily on her Grand Prix horses in Germany, and schooled me daily on my competition mount when she came to America. She taught me the correct classical German system. " Frau Zimmer started and encouraged Ida in her judging career, and her first judges training was at Frau Zimmer's side at the Hamburg Derby.

Following her 5 years training with Frau Zimmer, Ida spent some time with renowned, Kathy Connelly who Ida credits with polishing her FEI test riding skills. Kathy's clear teaching and training methods additionally, augmented Ida's ability to work with some very talented horses.

Ida has worked and competed abroad, last with Lord Lakota riding at Flyinge AB the National Stud of Sweden in the fall of 2003 working with Bo Jena (currently Swedish Olympic coach) who was the Director of Dressage Education. She was invited to teach at Flyinge AB and was employed training dressage horses during her stay. She and "Cody" competed at a national level competition in an FEI level test placing 3rd out of 31.

Ida currently clinics and consults with Swedish Olympic coach Bo Jena, FEI 5 Star Judge Janet Foy and former director of the Spanish riding School Arthur Kottas.

Ida is a dynamic speaker, an enthusiastic and articulate teacher capable of explaining and demonstrating correct, effective and elastic riding. She teaches at Mill Pond Farm, Benson Vermont, and offers clinics throughout the U. S. She is easily available for coaching, teaching, judging and consulting on virtual platforms.

For recreational horse activities Ida participates/competes in Working Equitation and Western Dressage level 5 , Classical Long Lining and International Agility/Equagility

Ida and husband Mark live at Mill Pond Farm, Benson Vt.