Chris Hickey

http://www.chrishickeydressage.com

http://www.hilltopfarminc.com

 

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

http://hilltopfarmic.com

 

 

 

     

 

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