Meet Peggy
Licensed United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) “S” dressage judge (up to Grand Prix level)
Licensed United States Equestrian Federation “R” Dressage Sport Horse Breed judge (in-hand)
USEF National licenses include: * FEI Young Horse Division * Freestyle Division * Dressage Seat Equitation
United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Certified Instructor
USDF Gold, Silver, & Bronze Medals
PHILOSOPHY
Peggy welcomes riders and/or horse owners of all levels, skills and ages. To offer her clients a program of training that fosters on-going growth and skill development, she establishes a foundation based on an ever-increasing understanding of dressage theory. She approaches training with an open mind, an attention to detail, an appreciation of the nature of equine behavior and rider limitations or challenges, a sense of humor, and a dedication to the process.
A hallmark of her program is to foster an environment in which understanding and excellence are the cornerstones. At Peak Performance Dressage, clients recognize the very intimate and special nature of the equine-human partnership that develops as a result of the hours and hours of training over the years it takes to progress up the levels in dressage. A successful training program must be sensitive and respectful of this dynamic which is quite different than other equestrian disciplines.
What Makes Peggy Unique?
Peggy’s experience with horses began very early, as her father Frank was a “wrangler” (animal trainer) for the motion picture and television industry for more than 40 years. This exposure to horses, small barnyard and small “wild” animals during her childhood provided a unique opportunity for Peggy to absorb and develop an innate understanding of horses and small animal behavior. Growing up around trick horse trainers like Ralph McCutcheon (Fury, Black Beauty), Les Hilton (Mr. Ed) and Kenny Lee (National Velvet) has influenced Peggy’s approach to horse training.
Peggy’s childhood and teen years with horses were shaped and molded as she honed her skills as a “catch rider”, showing all breeds and disciplines, ranging from western stock seat divisions, including reining and trail horse, as well as hunters and jumpers, and even saddle seat.
Following her graduation from college with a BA degree in Parks & Recreation Management, Peggy lived in Germany for three years working for the U.S. Defense Department. Peggy rode dressage in Stuttgart and Berlin and also attended elite German horse auctions and stallion licensing tests. Prior to graduating college Peggy delved into the newly emerging sport horse breed ventures that had begun to emerge in the mid-1970s. Peggy bred 4 warmblood horses from 1974-1984 with two home-bred horses becoming successful competitive dressage horse thru Prix Saint Georges (FEI/international level).
SERVICE TO THE DRESSAGE COMMUNITY
Over the years Peggy has served for nearly three decades as a volunteer on the California Dressage Society Board of Directors including two terms as President, the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Board of Governors and USDF Awards Council and 12 years as the Awards Committee Chair. She has given back to the dressage community on a local and national basis. The time, energy, and expertise Peggy has given to the sport of dressage reflects her commitment and dedication to this discipline.
Peggy’s advanced training and national credentials underscore her desire to consistently pursue professional development and ongoing education.
Peggy is an active competitor, trainer, and coach. An enthusiastic and high-energy person, Peggy offers a program for all levels and skills of riders as well as all breeds of horses. She combines the traditional classical dressage principles with common-sense knowledge of horses and riders over her lifetime of experience in the equine industry.
Her expertise and understanding of dressage training were learned over decades spent developing a keen and refined judge’s eye. Peggy is eager to help clients improve through understanding dressage theory and how it is applied in every day training to achieve the client’s goals.
Clients who train under Peggy’s eye for detail will find their sessions physically and mentally challenging as they strive to learn, gain skills and confidence. With her wealth of experience over decades of riding and coaching clients, she strives to establish a synergistic environment where the horse and rider can grow and develop in an atmosphere that is both challenging and safe.
Background as a Rider, Trainer, Coach & Competitor
Peggy brings years of experience and a tremendously wide-ranging background to her teaching and training work. She has achieved multiple championship titles in California Dressage Society (CDS) Horse of the Year classes, as well USDF open and freestyle Horse of the Year standings, at both U.S. National and FEI (international) levels.
With her longtime partner “Lemon Ice” (a Hanoverian gelding), Peggy & Icey started their competition career with big success by winning the prestigious CDS futurity when Lemon Ice was only five years old. Over the next 14 years this duo went on to multiple championships and top placings at every level through Grand Prix.
Peggy’s experience and knowledge have always given her an edge when it comes to understanding horses and riders, and how best to help them achieve their goals. This has been demonstrated over and over again, as Peggy and her clients, over years of training and competing, have been able to consistently attain scores above 70% at nearly all levels of competition. Her clients have earned USDF Rider Medals, ranking in USDF Horse of the Year standings including All Breeds and at the prestigious CDS Annual Show along with USDF Regional Finals. Her students have earned multiple champion titles & placings in the CDS Regional Adult Amateur Competitions, along with championships at CDS JR/YR (junior/young rider) events and Interscholastic Equestrian League (IEL) show series championships.
Peggy is also an excellent trainer of horses with non-traditional dressage backgrounds, as shown by the continued success of these horses against the usual warmbloods in the highly competitive southern California dressage circuit. She has had many USDF All-Breed champions, and top placings at all levels with Arabians, Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds among others.
