USDF bronze and silver medalist Hannah Irons worked with Olympian and Chef d’Equipe of the U.S. Dressage Team Christine Traurig aboard her 5-year-old Westphalian gelding Ein Traum at the 2025 Adequan®/USDF FEI-Level Trainers’ Conference earlier this year. Traurig helped her get “E.T.” more soft and supple in his body to improve his forward motion and get him more in front of her leg.

Here, she talks about her key takeaways from this year’s conference, her partnership with E.T. and what’s next for her favorite gelding.

“I actually bought E.T. to sell him, but then I realized he was one of my favorite horses ever. I’m going to keep and develop him and see where he can go.

“I really try to keep the training fun for him. The work naturally comes easy for him, so I probably school him in dressage three times a week, and then we do fun stuff the rest of the time. We hack and jump and do fun stuff that keeps it interesting and fresh for him, which also helps our end goal of getting him more fit and supple. He’s always been the happiest, most willing horse.

“After working with Christine during the first day, E.T. definitely felt more relaxed the second day and more in front of my leg. When he’s behind the leg and isn’t supple, it’s like you’re just kicking against a block in the font. So once I get him more supple through his poll he can be a little more self-going and willing and recycles the energy while staying balanced.

“Christine has developed so many young horses for this country, it was really good to get her opinion on where he is now and looking toward the future and what basics we need to develop collection down the road or what would be your piaffe transition down the road.”

For More:

To watch Hannah Irons and E.T.’s training sessions on Day 1 and Day 2 with Christine Traurig on EQUESTRIAN+, click here.

About Hannah Irons

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.