I operate a 17 stall teaching and training facility in Rochester, NY and also practice psychotherapy 2 half days per week to stay afloat financially. I have an 18 year old Holsteiner named Calano who I purchased as a 13 year old third level horse and who I now compete at PSG and Intermediare 1. He has always had soundness issues, but was relatively affordable and a competitive enough mover for the larger shows. He is now working on piaffe, passage, and one-tempi changes. Hopefully he will be able to let me show Grand Prix before he retires. Currently, he continues to get stronger, and improve, so I don't think he wants to retire just yet. 

    I also have two young horses (2 and 4 years old) who I hope will be the replacement for Calano down the road. One of the highlights of Calano's career was placing fifth in the US at Intermediare 1 for Holsteiners in 1998. With Calano I have earned my bronze and silver medals, and would dearly love to earn my gold. I am also preparing for USDF instructor certification and hopefully will test in 2000.

    I do have lupus and struggle with the complications from the disease and the medications used to treat it, which provide me with additional challenges, and sometimes make pursuing an athletic dream very frustrating! However, I am quite determined to become as proficient and knowledgeable as I can be in my pursuit of a dressage education, and coming to Germany to study is certainly among the most exciting and rewarding adventures of my journey to date. My plan is to write for Dressage un Ltd. a few times a week and update my training journal and personal observations for the duration of my stay in Germany.