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I was first introduced to Ulla Salzgeber in the fall of 2002
at a NEDA clinic. After observing her teach,
and
work with the demonstration riders I was very impressed with her. I
approached her and asked if she would be interested in coming to my barn to
do a private clinic that coming winter in Florida. She agreed to after
talking with me and learning what I had accomplished to date and what my
future goals were. At the time I had a horse that was schooling Grand Prix
and had several other nice horses from young horses to FEI. She helped me
tremendously and knew that I was a serious professional who wanted to
develop further as a rider and trainer. She invited me to come to her farm
in Germany the following spring. It was an opportunity to observe her
working at her own farm with her own training horses. I had the opportunity
at that visit to ride some of her horses as well. It was a great learning
experience. She then invited me to come back with some of my own horses the
following summer. I knew that was an opportunity that I had to take
advantage of. It was not until the summer of 2004 that I was able to take
advantage of the offer. In the meantime Ulla continued to clinic for me in
FL and in MA when she was able to.
In the spring of 2004 I went to Germany with 5 training
horses. Three of the horses were schooling FEI
the other two were young horses. It is here that I first had the opportunity
really study and understand her system first hand. I spent four months
training with Ulla, which was invaluable in my development as a rider and
trainer. During that trip I was able to show as well. Two of those horses
showed at M and S level classes and also another horse at Intermediere II
and Grand Prix. Since this time I have continued to seek out her help
whenever possible. She has been able to make trips to the U.S. about twice
a year to continue to help me and many of my students.
In large part due to her help I have been able to bring more
horses to the Grand Prix level. 2007 was a very successful year for me and
my horses. One of the horses that made the initial trip to Germany with me,
Regent, went on to represent
the
U.S. at the Pan Am Games to win Team and Individual gold. Later in the
summer I was picked to represent the U.S. in Verden at the World Young Horse
Breeding Championship where I competed Cabana Boy. I owe much of my success
to her help with my riding and the training of these very successful horses.
http://www.chrishickeydressage.com/index.html
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