The University of Vermont Dressage Team has a lot to offer to riders of all disciplines and experience levels. Our current team consists of individuals from a range of different backgrounds, but the study of classical dressage provides the perfect common ground.
The UVM Dressage Team currently consists of 20 members. In the fall semester, try-outs are held to fill any open spots. We invite all athletes to try-out. The selection process is competitive, but not impossible as we have various experience levels to fill. If you are interested in the team, have any questions, are interested in attending tryouts, or would like to be added to our interest list, please email us at dressage@uvm.edu.
The UVM Dressage Team is based out of the UVM Horse Barn Co-op, conveniently located about five minutes from campus. To learn more about the UVM Horse Barn Co-op, follow this link: https://asci.uvm.edu/horsebarn/. Membership on the UVM Dressage Team offers riders one to two forty-five minute lessons per week during the fall semester and one forty-five minute lesson per week during the spring semester, plus multiple “free rides” (practice rides, on your own) throughout the year. The lesson package also includes clinic lessons each semester with guest clinicians such as Eric Horgan, an Olympic level Eventer, and Lori Barnard, a local gold medal dressage rider and trainer who also holds an R judging status. To learn more about Eric and Lori, follow their respective links: http://www.erichorgan.com, https://loribarnarddressage.com/. We believe in a hands-on approach to horse care and providing our members with a comprehensive learning experience in all aspects of the equestrian sport.
For the past eighteen years, the team has grown and flourished under the watchful eye of our coach Bonnie Timmerman. In 2012, Bonnie was awarded the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) Coach of the Year Award due to her thoughtful and precise approach. She currently competes at Third Level with her lovely gelding Vivaldi. To learn more about Bonnie, please visit her website: http://www.bonnietimmerman.com/.
To put our skills to practice, the UVM Dressage Team takes part in intercollegiate dressage competitions, sponsored by the IDA. Typically, the team takes eight members to each show, where we compete at Introductory, Lower Training (T1), Upper Training (T3), and First Level. We compete against other schools in regions A and B. Riders are mounted on a horse, drawn at random from within their level, given 10 minutes to warm up, and then expected to perform their test. This is an excellent opportunity to improve your ability to ‘catch ride’ and learn how to ride and perform on any horse. Each semester there are approximately four to six horse shows sponsored by university teams within our region, as well as IDA Nationals, held in mid-April. We currently compete in the A/B region of the IDA which includes UMaine, UNH, JWE, UMass, UConn, MHC and UVM. To learn more about the IDA, please visit: http://www.teamdressage.com.
