Cindy Roesener is the owner/trainer at CLR Stables, based in Stockton, NJ, as well as a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist, who has successfully shown FEI through Intermediate 2. She spends her days training a mix of personal and client horses. Named one of American Riding Instructors Association’s (ARIA) Top 50 Instructors, Cindy enjoys teaching students at all levels and helping them achieve their riding goals.
How long have you been involved in the sport?
I have been riding for 35 years, with my early years focusing on hunter/jumper, then making the switch to dressage during college.
How long have you been a USDF member?
I have been a USDF member for 25 years.
What made you decide to participate in the USDF L Education Program?
I saw it as a way to aid my clients in understanding how judges arrive at their scores, helping them to better execute their tests.
How long did it take to complete the program, start to finish?
I was able to complete it over one summer.
Do you plan to further your dressage education and to continue to apply what you learned in the program to become a licensed official?
Moving on in the program is not currently on my list. It may come back into focus one day.
Do you serve as a judge for schooling shows in your capacity as an L Graduate? If so, on average, how many per year?
In previous years, I was a judge locally. However, with the growth of my teaching/training business, along with show season for my young horses, I have not judged in a few years.
What impact did the program have on your dressage knowledge?
The program made my approach to training, riding, and teaching multi-dimensional. It taught me to take all views into account when preparing horses for competition, and it drives home the training scale.
Name three things you took away from the program that you think every rider should know.
Accuracy is important; otherwise, the movements cannot prepare you for what comes next. It is key to read the directives and understand the level at which you are riding. Your test that day is a moment in time. It is a record of what the judge saw, and it does not negate all that you have worked for.
Have you served in any other official capacity with USDF (council/committee member, council/committee chair, PM/GM delegate, board member/Regional Director, etc.)? Please describe.
Not yet, but I look forward to exploring these options for the future.
Tell us about your horse(s).
Let’s start with Sonaro, my FEI horse. He is a 21-year-old Hanoverian that I competed successfully through Intermediate 2, and now he lives his days as my schoolmaster lesson horse, teaching students upper-level movements. Aston-Bell (pictured) is a 6-year-old Danish warmblood that I imported from Denmark in 2018, shown through First Level and currently schooling Third. He is a blast to ride and has incredible potential for the upper levels. Delano is my newest 5-year-old Westphalian imported from Belgium in 2019; we were crowned the 2020 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 8 Training Level Champions and placed fifth at First Level as well. Delano is a head turner at shows and an old soul in the barn. My lower-level lesson horse, Tigger, is 25 years old and was shown through Second Level, in his younger years. Tigger is a barn favorite and can go from lunge lessons for the beginner rider, right into showing off for the experienced rider. He truly is a gem in my lesson program and has made many students happy over the years.
Phone: (908) 797-9754
Email: sonaroclr@gmail.com
Related Links:
Tips from USDF Certified Instructors!
5 Benefits of Becoming a USDF Certified Instructor
5 Ways to Find a Dressage Instructor
USDF Instructor/Trainer Program
