Training Philosophy
At Orion we emphasize the education of both horse and rider. Our goal is to provide a compassionate and supportive environment where riders can learn and horses can reach their full potential. By focusing on the principles of the training pyramid, each horse is brought up the levels at a pace that is right for that individual. Riders are also worked with on an individual bases to asses their goals and work out the steps to achieve them.
The beginning of each ride is used to assess the horses state of mind, as well as how the horse feels physically that day. By taking this time the rider can be sure to choose exercises that will provide the best learning experience. Like wise, time will be taken before each lesson to discuss with the rider how he or she is feeling that day. This information, as well as how the horse warms up will be taken into account as the lesson progresses to provide the most productive lesson possible.
Head Trainer ~ Elizabeth King
Orion Dressage Sporthorses’ head trainer, Elizabeth King, has an extensive background in horsemanship and has 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.
