ADU – University "Class of 2009"

NAME

LEVEL OF COMMITTMENT

MENTOR

Schmickrath, Carol

POST-DOCTORATE

(Cean Embrey)

From her "previous life," Carol has a Masters degree in Microbiology, working for years in various medical labs. But these days she is working the "bugs" out of her horses at Brookstone Farm, where she breeds Dutch Warmbloods. After apprenticing with Michael Poulin for 6 yrs, she & Rich opened their dressage training and teaching barn where they work with a variety of breeds of horses, from starting them under saddle to Grand Prix. Carol also has some musical talents, spending a lot of time with piano, voice, and guitar. So where is her musical freestyle??? Carol has been a tireless volunteer for ADU!

Embrey, Cean

DOCTORATE

(Carol Schmickrath)

Cean wears many hats in this ADU University program. She is the creator, the Dean, a Mentor, and a Student, all at the same time! As a student she rode her Dutch Warmblood gelding, Titleist, ending up #5 in the nation overall at 3^rd level AA. She also rode her Dutch mare, Wellspring, ending up #7 in the nation for Training level AA for the KWPN. Both are horses she bred, raised, and trained, so they are like her babies!

FitzPatrick, Kate

DOCTORATE

(Cean Embrey)

Kate’s past includes riding since she was 4, getting her first horse at 12, exercising race horses during her school years, jumping horses which led to years of eventing. Then she got smart and focused on dressage. Kate bought "Cobra", a retired schoolmaster, who she earned her USDF Silver Medal on. She now rides "Desi" an 11 yr Hanovarian mare who is schooling 3^rd level. She is waiting for Cobra’s son, Contego (by Contango) that Kate hopes will be her forever dressage horse, and a gelding no less!

Hogan, Avery

DOCTORATE

(Carol Schmickrath)

Avery is a 16 yr old Doctorate of ADU-University! Her horse is older than she is. "Kassander" is a 17 yr Dutch Warmblood. For the past couple of summers, Avery has attended an intensive dressage training camp in Oldenburg, Germany where they are working on earning their German medals and certifications. Here in the States, the pair is riding at Second level and are working towards their USDF Bronze Medal.

James, Alysson

DOCTORATE

(Carol Schmickrath)

Alysson is a Doctorate graduate in ADU-University "Eventer’s Version!"

Aly competed in Jumpers in the past but began eventing when she moved to TX 6 yrs ago. She claims she "is staying the course despite Carol's best efforts to convert me to straight dressage!" During this ADU-U program, Aly has been riding 3 horses. "Robstown," a 7 yr TB gelding competed at Training level eventing. "Mighty Mouse," a 5 yr QH mare who was ranked 4th on the USEA leaderboard for AA Novice until she was sold this summer. And "Witchful Dreams" aka Wendy the Witch, a 7 yr TB mare who went to her first recognized event this fall, and scored very well.

Spears, Michele

DOCTORATE

(Carol Schmickrath)

Michele’s equine partner is Beaucoup Tricks, a 13 yr old QH gelding. "Beau" was originally a race horse for a couple of years, even winning a race! Michele bought him as a 5 yr old and first trained him to be a successful barrel racing horse. In what Michele calls her "mid-life crisis," the pair switched to Dressage 5 yrs ago. They consider it a great switch and have really enjoyed the journey! Michele, with Beau, has also earned her USDF Rider Performance Certificates at both Training level and First level.

Blank, Jennifer

MASTERS

(Barbie Piccinni)

Jennifer grew up in Ohio and was fortunate enough to be in Pony-Club as a teenager where the main focus was on eventing. When she moved to Texas and bought her horse, Austin, she focused on hunters for many years. She changed her focus to dressage when she started riding with Barbie Piccinni- now she’s hooked! Her horse, "Austin," is an adorable, laid back Thoroughbred ex-race horse. He's a sweetheart who will try just about anything she asks of him. Austin is pretty brave and level-headed except when he encounters birds with larger than average wing-spans!

Castleberry, Cynthia

MASTERS

(Jill Cowie)

Cynthia participated in ADU University with her 10 yr QH mare, Pretty Pine League. "Gracie" was a former 4-H competition horse, who Cynthia purchased 3 yrs ago. She has been working with Christine Bergeron to learn and establish the basics of dressage. She is having a lot of fun learning, and hopes to develop a musical freestyle in the future. In Sept of this year, Cynthia & Gracie also reached the milestone of reaching the 500 hour level in the AQHA Ride Program.

Katalenas, Natalie

MASTERS

(Carol Schmickrath)

Kuenast, Marcia

MASTERS

(Carol Schmickrath)

The main horse that Marcia has ridden is Gusty Wind, a 15 yr Hannoverian gelding who she has owned since he was a colt. They mostly do dressage, successfully showing 2^nd and 3^rd level. But they also do a little jumping and some low level Eventing. She also rides the super sweet 8 yr Dutch gelding, Ultrazon, at 1^st level. He tries hard to please but has lots of energy. Marcia wishes to thank her ADU-U mentor, Carol, for teaching, helping, and encouraging her, and her horses too.

Kuenast, Stephanie

MASTERS

(Carol Schmickrath)

Stephanie rides the 12 yr TB mare, Grace, who she has had since January 2008. Their main focus is Eventing, competing successfully at Novice level. They are also showing at 1^st Level dressage, and schooling 2^nd level. Stephanie says "Before ADU we were still working on our comraderie, but now we are best friends!"

Larson, Lynn

MASTERS

(Cean Embrey)

Lynn is a certified Centered Riding Instructor who has been a generous volunteer for ADU, organizing a couple of our popular Bodywork workshops. She participated in our ADU-University program, even tho she is a very busy professional with an active horse business of her own. This past year, Lynn rode 4 horses consistently; the mares IRS (pronounced iris), Missy, Tammy "the malcontent", and the gelding Carlos "the project." She also worked with another gelding, "Magic", who came in for ‘decompressing.’ In between all of this, Lynn earned her USDF Rider Performance Awards for both Training Level and First Level.

Riddlemoser, Dennis

MASTERS

(Barbie Piccinni)

Dennis has been riding for 12 yrs, starting in Jumpers on a leased horse. Since then he has ridden any horse he could, saying "I feel each has something to teach." Dennis started training dressage about 6yrs ago with Barbie, when he purchased his current horse. Shakespeare is a 12 yr Appendix QH, originally on the track, then an eventing career, then jumpers. But now the pair shine in the dressage ring. At their first USDF show they earned the AA High Point award against 40 other amateurs! This fall they earned their USDF Bronze Medal. Dennis says "Even tho the USDF Bronze is a rider award, Shakespeare deserves the credit, as he earned every score for me."

Carlson, Gwen

BACHELOR

(Vicky Carroll)

Gwen has ridden a variety of disciplines during her life, including patrolling the downtown sector of Austin on horseback for a few years. "Working from the back of a horse for 6 hrs a day gives one the opportunity to develop a oneness with the horse," says Gwen. "The only discipline I knew of that could give me that same feeling was Dressage," which she began in 1995. During this year of ADU-University, Gwen has started her 5 yr Trakehner mare "Port of Call" under saddle. The mare has progressed rapidly, which Gwen attributes to strict adherence to the Training Scale. "I am really looking forward to the coming year both with her and with ADU-University!"

Carroll, Vicky

BACHELOR

(Kate FitzPatrick)

Vicky’s main horse in her dressage career has been the now 26 yr old Trakehner mare, Chancey, who she earned her USDF Bronze Medal with. Like many dressage riders, Vicky and Chancey were eventers for many years before concentrating on dressage. Nowadays, Vicky rides younger horses – 24 yr old Duke, 22 yr old Gomez, and 20 yr old Ted, at Brookstone Farm. All 3 of these old schoolmasters will make it very clear when you are doing something wrong, but will respond correctly when you ask correctly. As Vicky explains, "They helped me a lot with the realization that applying the training scale is necessary even with these old schoolmasters."

Dalton, Chip

BACHELOR

(Vicky Carroll)

Higgenbotham, Virginia

BACHELOR

(Carol Schmickrath)

Lehndorf, Rebecca

BACHELOR

(Jill Cowie)

Rebecca’s main horse for this ADU University program was been Jupiter Moon, a 16 yr old TB gelding, who she has had since he was 3. He is her former eventing horse, advancing to the Preliminary level. Rebecca also rides Dancing with Destiny, her 4 yr old TB/Shire filly who she started in dressage in order to have a solid background before the mare’s future jumping career. Rebecca’s main dressage mentor has been her mother, who has encouraged her to focus on dressage training her whole life, no matter what other discipline she was competing in.

Remmert, Suzy

BACHELOR

(Cean Embrey)

30yrs ago Suzy received a horse as a graduation present. First it was just pleasure riding, then she and her TB gelding, Solo, successfully competed in H/J for 8 yrs. "After too many injuries and broken bones I decided to try my hand at Dressage. Plus, I have always thought it was a beautiful sport. To be so in sync with my horse I thought would be amazing." So the pair switched to dressage about 7 yrs ago. But Solo’s arthritis recently ended their plans. "That's when Hot Shot came into my life, an 18 yr TB gelding trained to the PSG level. He has been an awesome addition to my life and is really helping me to learn dressage. Our plan this coming year is to start showing and hopefully earn my USDF Bronze medal."

Virkstis, Laurie

BACHELOR

(Cean Embrey)

Laurie calls herself the "Catch A Ride Queen." Being horse-less created some challenges for her in being able to complete her ADU-U requirements. But she still managed to do so, riding leased horses, or horses on pre-purchase "trial." In her own way, Laurie assisted in dressage education for ADU members, by taking so many wonderful photographs at dressage events. As each of us knows, it can be VERY enlightening to see what we actually look like in photos! So photographs like Laurie’s can really help us see where we are weak or strong. Laurie is currently looking for the right horse to be her future dressage partner.

Young, Valerie

BACHELOR

(Carol Schmickrath)

Valerie rode 2 of her horses in this ADU University program:

Shadowfax, a 14yr old TB/Shire gelding, schooling 3rd level

Upon Eagles Wings, fondly called "When Pigs Fly," an 8yr old Dutch Warmblood gelding, showing 1^st level. Valerie often thinks it would be a lot easier and less expensive to do rock gardening.

Becerra, Yvonne

ASSOCIATE

(Carol Schmickrath)

Yvonne rode a variety of horses during this ADU University program: the Dutch Warmblood, Piloto, learning dressage with Carol Schmickrath; the 18 yr Saddlebred, Belle, in New Mexico with Ginger Gaffney; and her own 11 yr TB gelding, Mittie, riding dressage and obstacle courses, with Janet Manley. Yvonne’s training even included lunge lessons with no stirrups or reins. "All of these horses were critical to building my confidence in cantering, says Yvonne. "As I prepare for the ADU graduation, I can proudly say that I am no longer fearful of cantering Mittie."

Costis, Candace

ASSOCIATE

(Cean Embrey)

Candace is realizing a lifelong dream of owning and building a business with horses. She is the owner of Canyonview Sporthorses where she breeds and trains Arabians, Morgans, and Warmblood crosses. To those children who complain that their parents won't buy a horse, she says, "My parents wouldn't buy me a horse either but now I have a whole herd and you can, too." Her present goals are to continue breeding sport horses able to compete at the upper levels and to become solid, herself, up to 2nd level.

Berbrick, Marcy

PARTICIPANT

Eakman, Janet

PARTICIPANT

Getman, Poppy

PARTICIPANT

Palvino, Jessica

PARTICIPANT

Re, Beth

PARTICIPANT

Riazzi, Carol

PARTICIPANT

(Barbie Piccinni)

Carol and Phoenix, her 18 yr old TB mare are an inspirational story. Phoneix had a short-lived unsuccessful career as a race horse. A few years later the mare was on her way to the auctions to become dog food when Carol bought her as a 5 yr old. At the time, she was very head shy and petrified of men. Carol patiently brought Phoenix along through Training, 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd levels of dressage. And last year they successfully earned their USDF Bronze medal!

Skillern, Kay

PARTICIPANT

Kay has 2 mares; Valentine, a 4 yr Hanoverian, and Liebe, an 8 yr WB cross. For ADU-University, Kay was mostly riding Liebe with instructor Janet Manley. They were progressing well until July when they experienced a riding accident. So now they are starting over with more ground work. Every day is a new day! They will be back to riding very soon.

Spanhel, Cynthia

PARTICIPANT

Cynthia has been around horses her entire life, growing up with a backyard horse riding western pleasure. After moving to Austin and starting dressage lessons, she purchased a 17 yr old schoolmaster, Top Hat, riding him for several years. She then became passionately interested in the Pure Spanish Horse, and found the perfect one in her stallion Odilon JIM. She now rides and breeds Spanish sporthorses on her Blue Fire Moon Farm in Driftwood.

Sweeney, Collene

PARTICIPANT

Collene was limited by her horse’s injuries this year. But we would still love to honor her as an ADU University participant!