A Little Something about the 2008 MeCTA Clinicians…

Caroline Atherholt-Dowd - Caroline started eventing at the age of 11 and has never looked back.  She has competed to the highest level of eventing, the 4 star.  She has had the privilege to train and compete several horses to this level including riding at Rolex 4 star on Lazy Dot and Raw Deal as well as riding at Badminton 3-day in England with Lazy Dot.  She has brought along many horses for eventing, dressage, show jumping, and fox hunting,  as well as pony hunters, driving horses, and even gaited horses for dressage.  Her philosophy is that that to truly know the horse you must be able to understand how and what he thinks. She has a real gift of understanding the horse and how to work with each of them.  Her Career Highlights include a 6th and a 10th place at the International Rolex 4 star on Lazy Dot, a 3rd and a 4th place at the International Fair Hill 3 star on Lazy Dot, who was later named Mare of the Year.  Caroline has recently opened Red Fox Hill Farm, a 105 acre facility in Virginia.  See www.CarolineDowd.com FMI.

Jen Barton – has been teaching adn competing for a number of years.  She is a B graduate of the Penobscot Pony Club who has worked with advanced level riders Bruce Davidson, Buck Davidson, and Phyllis Dawson.  Jen has competed to the Preliminary level and is planning to compete with her young horse at Training level this summer.  In her other life, Jen is a kindergarten teacher.

Sara Edelston Lieser – Sara began her career in the Penobscot Pony Club where she graduated with her C-3 rating. As a working student for Denny Emerson, Sara evented at preliminary and intermediate and completed her first 3-day, the Radnor CCN*. Since then she has trained her own young horse through the CCI* level and currently rides with Sharon White in Virginia. She is also a staff writer for the Chronicle of the Horse magazine.

Elizabeth Hale-Garland - Elizabeth grew up in California and has been teaching dressage and jumping for over 30 years. She started English riding lessons at the age of 6 and later competed successfully in the greater Los Angeles area.  Elizabeth has studied dressage with Henry Stenke, and participated in clinics with Victor Hugo-Vidal and Karl Mikolka.  She enjoys teaching riders and training horses, and would like to develop a quadrille team.

Mary Guenzel - Mary was raised in Ireland, competing at advanced level eventing.  She earned her BHSI and her Pony Club A.  Her extensive experience within the combined training discipline, strong communication skills, sense of humor and infinite patience all provide her students with skills that build their confidence.  Mary has long been a favorite instructor at clinics and camps with children and adults.

Tom Ordway - "R" Technical Delegate with years of experience in riding, training and coaching at the upper levels of eventing.  A native of Maine, Tom is a wonderful clinician who uses his vast experience and great sense of humor to give his students an invaluable learning experience.  Tom will be the Technical Delegate at the Snowfields event this year.  Come ride at Snowfields while it is all done up for the event!

Debbie Place – Well known to all Maine riders, Debbie has extensive experience in event¬ing and instructing.  She has her Instructor Certification from the British Horse Society and is an A level Pony Club graduate.  Her students compete through Intermediate level. 

Sandy Porter Bean – Sandy is also well-known in Maine. She is a graduate B pony clubber (Penobscot Pony Club) and has her AI certification from the British Horse Society. She grew up riding with the Gray's at Puckerbrush, and has studied with well-know instuctors Jeremy Beal, Sally Swift and Peggy Cummings.

Anna Welch - Currently a USEA Level I ICP certified instructor who presently works with students and horses through the preliminary level.  Anna enjoys working with riders and their horses in developing the skills and communication that are required for the confident and trusting partnership necessary for eventing.  For the past two years she has worked closely with Ralph Hill as his groom and apprentice.  This experience brought a new depth of knowledge and understanding to her instructing and training techniques in the development of that partnership.  In the future, she looks forward to taking the Level II certification exam to better serve her students, while continuing to compete her horse Wily, and also start a new young horse.

Babette Lenna – has over 15 years experience riding, training, and competing event horses. She has successfully competing at Intermediate Level and at top events such as the Radnor CCI**. Babette has worked closely with top riders/instructors including Philip Dutton, Eric Horgan, and Sally Cousins. Babette enjoys teaching all levels of riders from beginners through intermediate. She is also experienced with bringing along green horses including Off-Track TBs.  Babette is just back from another winter working with Philip Dutton, and is eager to help you benefit!