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Christopher Hickey is a USDF Certified Instructor through Fourth Level and a faculty member for the certification program. he was born and raised in Westhampton, Massachusetts where his business, Dressage Associates is located today. Chris began riding as a small child. By his late teens he had competed successfully in western, hunt seat, saddle seat, and in driving divisions. As a U.S. Pony Club member he was introduced to Dressage. Since then he has focused all his talent and enthusiasm on Dressage. Chris attended Holyoke Community College before beginning a three year period of work and riding with U.S. Olympic rider Lendon Gray In 1988, while with Lendon, Chris represented the USDF Region 8 at the North American Young Rider Championships where he was a finalist as an individual. During that year Chris' championships included NEDA Fourth Level Young Rider, AHSA Zone 1 Fourth Level Young Rider, and AHSA National Fourth Level Young Rider for the Eastern Region. Chris and his horse Vesper were chosen again in 1989 to compete at the NAYR Championships. In 1990 Chris started training with U.S. Olympic rider Robert Dover. In 1991 Chris earned both his USDF Bronze Medal Rider award riding Riago, Ten Penny Action, and Agronaut and the USDF Silver Medal Rider award riding Vesper and Argentinus. Chris began working with Dwight at the First Level and has trained Dwight to his present Grand Prix Level. Chris and Dwight have received much recognition for their accomplishments to date. In 1994 they were chosen to participate in the Olympic Festival. In 1995, they were invited to the Pan American Games Final Selection Trials. In 1995 and 1996 Dwight was on the USET Developing Horse List and participated in USET Training Clinics with Harry Bolt and Klaus Balkenhol.
In 1996 Chris began riding with Lilo Fore, an FEI "I" Judge and USDF Instructor Certification Examiner. Chris, on Dwight, was a demo rider at the NEDA Dressage Symposia with Dr. Joseph Knipp in 1996 and Wolfgang Michealis in 1997. And in 1997 and 1998, Chris was a demo rider at the USDF Trainers Conferences with Kyra Kyrkland and Klaus Balkenhol, respectively. Chris and Dwight have had a successful Grand Prix career. Since 1996 they have placed well at the Welllington Equestrian Festival, Dressage at Devon, King Oak Dressage Days, and the Gold Coast Dressage Opener. In 1997 Chris earned his USDF Gold Medal Rider award and began riding with Sue Blinks, USET member of 1998 W.E.G. and 2000 Olympics. In 1999, Chris was awarded a NEDA Scholarship, a USET Asmis Scholarship, and a grant from The American Horse Trials Foundation, for a European Training trip. Chris, Dwight and Levin, spent four months in training with Conrad Schumacher at his farm, Stal Neuhof, just outside Frankfurt, Germany. Later that year Chris and his two mounts were demo's at the 1999 USDF National Symposium with Conrad Schumacher. In 2001, Chris returned to Conrad Schumacher's for another 3 months of training. Locally, Chris teaches many enthusiastic dressage riders, amateurs and professionals, at Training through FEI levels, and has horses in training. Chris also gives clinics throughout New England and in the South and Midwest. Many of his students have earned USDF Rider Awards, they include six bronze medals, five silver medals, and two gold medals. Chris is dedicated to a caring and sensitive approach in his teaching method, helping horses and riders achieve mutual pleasure and understanding. Contact Stefanie Moses via email moses@alum.mit.edu or phone (603)895-9124.
Directions:From the North or West:
Take Rte 101 East to Exit 2
From south:
Take I-93 to Exit 4
from Northeast:
Take Rte 101 to exit 5 |