Tiffany Silverman is a USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medalist, and USDF L Graduate with Distinction. She owns and operates Unbridled Dressage, in San Diego, CA, a private facility shared with her husband and top sport horse veterinarian, Mark Silverman DVM, Ms.
How long have you been involved in the sport?
After decades as an eventer, I’ve been riding dressage exclusively for about 10 years.
How long have you been a USDF member?
I’ve been a USDF member on and off for 30 years
What made you decide to participate in the USDF L Education Program?
When an L Program was offered in my area, I jumped at the chance to further my education.
How long did it take to complete the program, start to finish?
It took just under five years, from the A Session to the exam, because I waited for a locally offered Part 2.
Do you plan to further your dressage education and to continue to apply what you learned in the program to become a licensed official?
It is my intention to continue through the USDF judges’ education program as far as I can!
Do you serve as a judge for schooling shows in your capacity as an L Graduate? If so, on average, how many per year?
Since graduating the L Education Program with Distinction, I’ve been hired to judge many schooling shows. I was scheduled to judge eight during 2020, but all were cancelled due to the pandemic.
What impact did the program have on your dressage knowledge?
The program has EXPONENTIALLY helped me be a better instructor by giving me the language needed to coach my students systematically, and it has strengthened my abilities as a competitor, by clearly outlining what the judges are looking for. I can’t say that the program has helped my dressage “knowledge”, but it has certainly reinforced the importance of the Training Pyramid as an irrefutable system of training the dressage horse.
Name three things you took away from the program that you think every rider should know.
1. The purpose of the level is written in plain English at the top of every test- stop wondering what the judge is looking for. Read the test before you ride it, and you’ll know! 2. Judges LOVE to give high scores: we’re not out to GET YOU! and 3. Basics, Basics, Basics! Know your Pyramid of Training and ride it systematically.
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.
I have served USDF’s largest GMO, the California Dressage Society, as chairperson of the CDS San Diego Chapter.
Tell us about your horse(s).
My current partner is an eight-year-old Westphalian gelding (Vitalis x Ehrentusch) who debuted in his first CDI*** last Spring.
Phone: (760) 220-4755
Email: tiffany@unbridledltd.com
