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ABOUT US

Dressage: The art of riding and training a horse in a systematic method that develops obedience, flexibility, and balance producing Harmony between Horse and Rider

Marina Parris Woodhead, Owner and Trainer,

is an FEI Level Dressage Trainer, Competitor, and High Performance Rider  achieving the USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals, is a USDF Certified Instructor and "L" Graduate Judge.

 

Marina competed her KWPN stallion, Pandorra, in International Grand Prix competitions. In 2013 the pair was ranked 5th in the US in Open Grand Prix Freestyle, KWPN Champion, Region 6 Champion and in 2012 were long-listed for the Olympics. She is currently developing a fun and talented Pandorra son as her next personal horse. 

 

A lifelong horsewoman, Marina began her riding career at age 4, progressing through a variety of disciplines including Barrel Racing, Western & English Pleasure, Arabian, Hunter/Jumpers, and Endurance until discovering the benefits and intrigue of Dressage in 1986.  Dressage offered an ongoing challenge and is now a lifelong passion.

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Marina embraces ongoing educational opportunities including clinics, training, competitions, and buying trips to Europe. She has enjoyed working with Conrad Schumacher for over 15 years as well as with such notables as Lilo Fore, Ingrid Klimke, Ulla Salzgeber, and Steffen Peters among others. 

 

Marina believes Conrad Schumacher has had the most influence on her Training & Instruction Methodology -  adapting his methods of Classical Dressage Principles together with athletic exercises to systematically instruct both horse and rider in the basics and advancement of their Dressage and horse training  goals.  

 

Horse sales relationships with Stable Fiechter, VDL Stud, & others in Holland have offered invaluable experience with high quality, well trained horses. And Marina feels the training time with Jeanine Fiechter in Europe enhanced her training effectiveness and International competitiveness.

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Experience in Training and with a desire to Specialize in Creating Harmonious Horse and Rider Partnerships has led to an additional emphasis to include instruction in the basic horsemanship methods that are used at Hidden Oaks so that both the basics of Dressage AND Horsemanship are utilized to achieve clients goals through development of Harmony with their horses. 

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Marina enjoys assisting a variety of students in a variety of horse sports – Junior/Young riders, Amateurs, and Professionals in obtaining their goals. Her students’ successes include USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals, Regional Championships, GMO Horse of the Year Awards, USDF National Awards, Arabian Sporthorse Championships, Reining, Barrel Racing and Western Dressage.

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"My involvement in all aspects of Horse Training and other Disciplines have both broadened and refined my horsemanship skills, which I include in my Dressage Instruction."

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Her Classical European influenced Dressage Methodology is supported and tempered with over 40 years of practical horse experience and enhanced with a touch of fun! 

 

Creating Harmonious Horse & Rider Partnerships is more than just her business motto – it’s her joy, her mission, her life!                           Contact us to start your own fun journey to harmony!                                         

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