USDF 2025 Trainers’ Conference Kicks Off

Christine Traurig and Monica Theodorescu help dressage trainers explore new teaching methods and training tips at the 2025 USDF Trainers' Conference.

The annual Adequan®/USDF FEI-Level Trainers’ Conference kicked off on Monday with more than 300 attendees at Mary Anne McPhail’s High Meadow Farm in Loxahatchee, Florida. Renowned clinicians Christine Traurig, chef d’equipe of the USEF dressage team, and Monica Theodorescu, Germany’s current national head coach, were this year’s featured clinicians. Designed to provide continuing education for dressage trainers and instructors, the USDF Trainers’ Conference gives dressage trainers the opportunity to explore new teaching methods from top presenters. 

Monica Theodorescu answers a question from the audience at the 2025 USDF Trainers’ Conference at High Meadow Farm, in Loxahatchee, Florida. ©Alana Harrison

The participating horse-and-rider combinations are all upper level as the intended purpose of the two-day conference is designed to educate FEI-level trainers and instructors in the classical system of dressage. Throughout the two days, the experts offered numerous training exercises and tips that, while advanced for those in attendance, will offer insights for other levels.

2025 USDF Trainers’ Conference: Riders and Horses

Heather Bender of Palm City, Florida, is a USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist with distinction and a Certified Instructor through Fourth Level. She pursued dressage in Europe from a young age, training with notable coaches such as George Theodorescu and Sandy Pfleuger-Phillip. At this year’s conference, she’s riding her own horse Keisha B., a 9-year-old KWPN mare by Genial.

Amy Bradley of Wellington, Florida, is an accomplished rider having earned a USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist with distinction, and is currently a large ‘R’ judge. Most recently, she secured top honors at the U.S. Dressage Championships in the Grand Prix division aboard her horse, Quileute CCW, by Quarterback. Bradley is riding her own horse I Spy, an 8-year-old, Oldenburg, gelding, by Asgard’s Ibiza.

Christopher Hickey of Wellington, Florida, has ridden in many previous conferences and is a USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist, a Certified Instructor through Fourth level and a member of the USDF Instructor/Trainer Program Faculty. He represented the U.S. at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, winning the Team and Individual gold medals. Hickey is riding Saskatoon OMF, a 7-year-old, Hanoverian gelding by San Amour I and owned by Cecilia Stewart.

Kate Shoemaker, a Grade IV Para Dressage athlete who’s ranked No. 3 in the world, and her 2024 Paris Paralympics’ mount Vianne participating in Day 1 of the USDF Trainers’ Conference. ©Alana Harrison

Hannah Irons of Queenstown, Maryland, has earned USDF bronze and silver medals, both with distinction. She was actively involved in the Dressage4Kids program for 10 years, attended Lendon Gray’s Winter Intensive Training program twice and was a working student for accomplished riders such as JJ Tate, Jaralyn Gibson and Meagan Davis. She began her full-time career managing and training at Irons Sporthorses, LLC, in 2020. Irons is riding Ein Traum (E.T.), a 5-year-old Westphalian gelding by Escamillo, who’s owned by Irons Sporthorses, LLC.

Olivia LaGoy-Weltz of Wellington, Florida, is a USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist. Among her many national-level successes, she was the traveling reserve for the 2015 Pan Am Games Team, won Team Gold at three Nations Cup competitions (2015, 2017 and 2018) and was on the short list for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. She’s riding Fade to Black, a 10-year-old Hanoverian mare by Fantastic.

Neve Myburgh of Loxahatchee, Florida, is a a USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist. After growing up riding in South Africa, she moved to Germany to apprentice under Wolfram Wittig and worked for trainers Johannes Augustin and Martin Christensen. Since moving to the U.S., Myburgh has trained with Lars Peterson, Oded Shimoni and Robert Dover, who helped her train several young horses up to schooling grand prix. She is riding her own horse, Firiet, a 7-year-old, DSP, mare, by Franklin.

Kate Shoemaker of Wellington, Florida, is a USDF bronze and silver medalist, both with distinction—and is a Grade IV Para athlete ranked No. 3 in the world and was part of the U.S. Para Dressage Team’s immense success at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Additionally, Shoemaker has earned several bronze and silver medals in both FEI World Championships and Paralympic Games and is an equine veterinarian. She is riding her 2024 Paralympic mount Vianne, an 8-year-old Hanoverian mare by Vitalis, owned by Norcordia USA.

J.J.Tate of Loxahatchee, Florida, is a USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist and also earned her Gold Medal Freestyle Bar. With over 1,250 trips down centerline, J.J. is a familiar face in the competition arena, with multiple regional and national wins at all levels, including young horse tests and CDI’s. Spending summers in Germany with Michael Klimke, J.J. first rode with USDF Hall of Fame inductee Charles DeKunffy at the age of 11, and continues to work with him today. She also has long-term training relationships with Scott Hassler, Oded Shimoni and Ali Brock. At this year’s conference, J.J. is riding Denali, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Harmony’s Don Noblesse, owned by Cackie Vroom and Dean Wright.

For More:

The full 2025 USDF Trainers’ Conference will be available on EQUESTRIAN+ soon. ©Alana Harrison
  • Be on the look out for our full report and key takeaways from the 2025 Adequan/USDF Trainers’ Conference.
  • Coming soon: Watch the full conference for top tips and training exercises from Traurig and Theodorescu on EQUESTRIAN+.

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