Goals and Principles
As a dressage trainer and instructor, my primary goal is to strengthen the bond and working
partnership between the rider and his or her horse. The need for a common understanding of the
deliverance of cues, and the expectations of their resulting reactions, are paramount in the training
process.
I desire a forward thinking and sensitive horse, focused and listening to it's riders aids and ready to
truly work with it's rider throughout the varying gaits and movements. The rider should always be fair
in his or her expectations of the horse, speaking clearly and consistently with the aids; be it the seat,
legs, hands, or whip. It is within these processes that a language between the rider and his or her
mount can be formed, creating the moments of exceptional brilliance that we strive for in the art and
sport of dressage.
The work should never compromise the spirit of the horses, as the intent is never to create a machine
out of the rider or the horse. I believe the work should be enjoyable for both parties, and truly believe
in the ability of dressage work to improve the movement of any breed or type of horse. This also rings
true to the rider, as any rider with the commitment to understanding dressage can create a more
harmonic pairing between themselves and their horse.
I place much importance on the need for classically correct equitation, and do not believe in the use of
such aids as draw reins or harsh bits. While moments within training are not always perfect or correct,
the ultimate goal and path must always benefit the horse and never come at their expense.
Background
I began riding at the age of 6, and got my first horse, Krosby, at the age of 9. I showed extensively in
4-H and in the local show circuits, doing everything from jumping and dressage to western pleasure
and gymkhana. At the age of 17, I began to transition to a focus solely on dressage and have been
hooked ever since.
Throughout college I worked off and on at Secret Ravine Lipizzans, exercising the young horses and
learning more about the classical techniques of dressage training. At this time, I also began teaching
some riding lessons and training some horses, officially relinquishing my amateur status. I greatly
enjoy teaching and inspiring others to further their riding ability and strengthen their bond with their
horses, and have found instruction to be a real passion of mine.
In the Winter of 2008, I began working at Symphony Farms, taking a position as the resident trainer in
March of 2008. Throughout my time there, I had 7 horses that I worked with, most of them stallions. I
showed two of the Andalusian stallions from 1st to 3rd level in the 2008-2009 show season, earning
almost all of the scores for my bronze medal. It was my first serious position within the dressage
world, and I learned a great deal about the various techniques of dressage training from the multitude
of clinicians I was able to ride under.
In the summer of 2009 I returned to Secret Ravine Lipizzans, resuming the work with many of the
horses that I have now known for years. I stay active in my personal pursuit to learn as much as I
possibly can about dressage, and I audit and participate in clinics with many talented riders and
teachers from the United States and abroad.
In my own personal search for instructors, I seek those with a continued dedication to higher learning,
and I hold myself to that very same standard.
Equestrian Resume
Academic Resume
As a dressage trainer and instructor, my primary goal is to strengthen the bond and working
partnership between the rider and his or her horse. The need for a common understanding of the
deliverance of cues, and the expectations of their resulting reactions, are paramount in the training
process.
I desire a forward thinking and sensitive horse, focused and listening to it's riders aids and ready to
truly work with it's rider throughout the varying gaits and movements. The rider should always be fair
in his or her expectations of the horse, speaking clearly and consistently with the aids; be it the seat,
legs, hands, or whip. It is within these processes that a language between the rider and his or her
mount can be formed, creating the moments of exceptional brilliance that we strive for in the art and
sport of dressage.
The work should never compromise the spirit of the horses, as the intent is never to create a machine
out of the rider or the horse. I believe the work should be enjoyable for both parties, and truly believe
in the ability of dressage work to improve the movement of any breed or type of horse. This also rings
true to the rider, as any rider with the commitment to understanding dressage can create a more
harmonic pairing between themselves and their horse.
I place much importance on the need for classically correct equitation, and do not believe in the use of
such aids as draw reins or harsh bits. While moments within training are not always perfect or correct,
the ultimate goal and path must always benefit the horse and never come at their expense.
Background
I began riding at the age of 6, and got my first horse, Krosby, at the age of 9. I showed extensively in
4-H and in the local show circuits, doing everything from jumping and dressage to western pleasure
and gymkhana. At the age of 17, I began to transition to a focus solely on dressage and have been
hooked ever since.
Throughout college I worked off and on at Secret Ravine Lipizzans, exercising the young horses and
learning more about the classical techniques of dressage training. At this time, I also began teaching
some riding lessons and training some horses, officially relinquishing my amateur status. I greatly
enjoy teaching and inspiring others to further their riding ability and strengthen their bond with their
horses, and have found instruction to be a real passion of mine.
In the Winter of 2008, I began working at Symphony Farms, taking a position as the resident trainer in
March of 2008. Throughout my time there, I had 7 horses that I worked with, most of them stallions. I
showed two of the Andalusian stallions from 1st to 3rd level in the 2008-2009 show season, earning
almost all of the scores for my bronze medal. It was my first serious position within the dressage
world, and I learned a great deal about the various techniques of dressage training from the multitude
of clinicians I was able to ride under.
In the summer of 2009 I returned to Secret Ravine Lipizzans, resuming the work with many of the
horses that I have now known for years. I stay active in my personal pursuit to learn as much as I
possibly can about dressage, and I audit and participate in clinics with many talented riders and
teachers from the United States and abroad.
In my own personal search for instructors, I seek those with a continued dedication to higher learning,
and I hold myself to that very same standard.
Equestrian Resume
 | Spring 2005 - 2006, rider at Secret Ravine Lipizzans |
| January 2008 - May 2009, resident trainer at Symphony Farms |
| Spring 2005 - current, employee at Christensen's Saddlery |
| May 2009 - current, trainer at Secret Ravine Lipizzans |
Academic Resume
| 2003 Oakmont High School Graduate |
| Fall 2003 - Spring 2004 Occidental College |
| Summer 2004 - Winter 2005 Sierra College |
| January 2006 - March 2008 U.C. Davis |
| June 2008, received Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from U.C. Davis | |
| Information about Karmen... |
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| Around The Bend Farm Dressage Training by Karmen Mills |
