The University of Findlay - Dressage Program

The goal of the Dressage Program is to help you gain a working relationship with your horse, and create self-confidence that helps meet the challenges that horses present on a daily basis. Janet Harms and Amanda Smith hope to make each day a challenge, a new goal to be set, a new dream to attain, but to always keep in mind the beauty of the sport....DRESSAGE.

Dressage, by definition, is simply training the horse. Correct dressage training increases awareness and is beneficial for any horse, any rider, and any breed. In dressage training, the natural movements that the horse can make on his own are trained to be more balanced, supple, and obedient. In dressage competition, these natural movements are repeated as exercises in the ring, and scored to give the rider a gauge for the quality of their performance. There are many levels of dressage competition that range from the low levels within the reach of any horse and rider, to Olympic level competition. Dressage emphasizes the role of the rider to be as correct as possible in their poise and flexibility as the horses will act as mirrors of the rider's strengths and weaknesses.

Janet Harms is the Director of the Dressage Program, head dressage instructor and the head coach for the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) team. Janet is an active member in the US Dressage Federation. Janet's experience includes working as an Assistant Trainer for Betsy Steiner. Janet owned a facility in Illinois where she boarded, trained and conducted clinics. She also taught intermediate and advanced riding at Kirkwood Community College in Iowa.

Amanda Smith is in her fourth year of instructing students in Dressage at The University of Findlay. Mandy is also the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) team assistant coach. Mandy has a diverse background with horses. She grew up on the east coast and is a graduate of UF's equestrian program. Her introduction to dressage came through the world of eventing. Mandy has achieved Level II status in the American Riding Instructors' Association in both Hunt Seat and Dressage. She is also an active member of the USDF and United States Equestrian Federation.