OUR MISSION
At
Orion Dressage Sporthorses, we teach a systematic, progressive approach
to riding to enhance harmony and balance between horse and rider and
improve the natural basic gaits of the horse.
The
Pyramid of Training is emphasized to progressively develop the six
basic aspects in the training of the horse—rhythm, suppleness,
connection, impulsion, straightness, collection - guided by thoroughness.
At Orion, we emphasize education of the horse and
rider.
Orion
Dressage Sporthorses fosters a gentle approach to teaching and training.
Every rider and horse at every level is encouraged to progress at
a pace that is comfortable and constructive.
HEAD TRAINER - ELIZABETH KING
Orion Dressage Sporthorses'
head trainer, Elizabeth King, has an extensive background in horsemanship
and his been riding since she was four years old. She earned her USDF
Bronze Medal in the summer of 2004, the same year that she began competing
FEI, and received her Silver Medal in 2009.
With her earliest background in the hunter/jumper
world, Elizabeth decided at age 17 that dressage would be her professional
focus. In 1999 she became the assistant trainer for USDF Gold Medalist
Melanie Southard at Catskill Mountain Dressage in upstate NY, and
continued to work closely with her for six years. She joined Melanie
here at Orion Dressage in 2002 and became head trainer in the summer
of 2005 when Melanie relocated to Ocala, FL.
During her life with horses Elizabeth has worked with
many different levels of horses and riders. She grew up riding ponies
and many ex-race horses, and as a young girl at the family-run barn
she gave "first start" lessons to children who were too
young to begin riding instruction with her older sister. She has also
spent time working with special needs and differently-abled riders
and has organized and taught summer riding programs in Westchester,
NY. This history has left her with a love and respect for all breeds
and taught her many skills that she uses daily in her approach to
teaching and training. Her experience with such diverse needs (both
human and equine) translates into her focus on fostering a complete
understanding and connection between horse and rider, and it is this
philosophy that guides and structures her individual training techniques.
Since
she first began her competition career in the summer of 2003, Elizabeth
has competed on many different horses at various levels. Her 2004
FEI debut was made showing Egor, Melanie's retired Grand Prix horse,
and she is now working towards her Gold Medal on her horse, Latitude,
with the help of Gunnar Ostergaard. During the winter months, Elizabeth
trains extensively with Gunnar at Deerwood Farm South, in Ocala, FL.
