In addition to Fleur de Lis L, Vanessa has also competed
Leatherdale Farms’ young Hanoverian Dublin L (Damsey FRH–EM Wibranda, Wolkenstein II), and last spring she picked up the ride on Devon L (De Niro–EM Wibranda, Wolkenstein II), a seasoned Grand Prix mount. “Devon is such a valuable teacher and is helping me
develop into a Grand Prix rider,” Vanessa says. “This is the first year I am competing in the U25 division. It’s a big step up to Grand Prix and I have a lot of respect for the grace and athlet- icism needed. Devon shows me how it should feel and lets me experiment with how to feel it. I have been working really hard to try and perfect the lightness and precision that I see top-level dressage riders demonstrate. “Every horse is different and learns in his own unique way
Vanessa in Wellington on Fleur de Lis in February 2017 at the Global Dressage Festival where she rode the Young Rider tests.
to recognize that these great horses were bred and raised in the United States—their success speaks for itself!”
Education In and Out of the Saddle Even in the midst of her rigorous training and competition schedule, Vanessa also focuses on achieving her academic goals online while developing her riding. “When I am based in Wellington, I come to the barn
to ride in the morning, return to the house for a couple of hours to do my schooling in the afternoon, then come back to the barn,” Vanessa explains. “I’m lucky that my school cooperates with me and my teachers are willing to send the work. I’m driven enough to tell myself, ‘You have to keep up with your school work,’ as well as continue to improve my riding.”
so as a rider and trainer, I’ve learned you have to base your training on each horse’s temperament,” she says, reflecting on what she has learned from working with her mother and top clinicians such as British Olympian Carl Hester. “There is no one way to train. At the end of the day, your goal should always be to have a happy horse and ensure he enjoys every day of his training.” As this successful young rider works to follow in her moth-
er’s footsteps, her long-term goals are to represent Canada at a major international championship and to train young horses up through the levels to the Grand Prix ring. “It has all come together due to the support from Leather-
dale Farms and the help from my mom,” Vanessa concludes. “I am so grateful to Louise for allowing me to ride her amazing horses and I am looking forward to the upcoming year. I truly feel like the luckiest girl in the world.”
Vanessa competes Devon L, a seasoned Grand Prix horse, in Wellington at Intermediare 2 and Grand Prix Young Rider U25. 36 January/February 2018
Annan Hepner
Annan Hepner
Annan Hepner
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