Tell us a little about yourself (your location, awards/other certifications you hold, etc):
I live in Charleston, South Carolina, and train out of a beautiful private boarding facility called The Stables at Iron Horse on Johns Island, South Carolina. I graduated from the L program in 2021. I have my USDF Silver Medal and Freestyle Bars, and am working towards my Gold Medal. I have won numerous USDF year-end awards, including All-Breeds, USDF Horse of the Year Reserve Champion, Dressage Sport Horse Breeding awards, and year-end awards from our local Group Member Organization (GMO), the South Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Association (SCDCTA). I’ve competed at the Great American Insurance Group (GAIG)/USDF Regional Dressage Championships, the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, and the US Dressage Festival of Champions.
How long have you been involved in the sport?
I started showing dressage 12 years ago while I was rehabbing my ex-hunter/jumper from a suspensory ligament injury. By the time we could do consistent flatwork, I signed up for a Training Level Opportunity class over Memorial Day weekend in 2011, not really thinking it could be much more complicated than a hunter flat class. I had zero idea of what I was doing. I don’t think I even had a dressage lesson before I showed up. I used my jumping saddle, a bat instead of a whip (which was quickly collected before I went in the show arena), had no concept of being on the bit, memorized a test from the wrong year, and proceeded to leave the arena when I went off course, only – to my confusion – to be called back in before all four feet left the ring. Despite the first epic fail of a show (which was probably more mortifying to my trainer than to me), I stuck with it and owe it to correct and low-intensity dressage training that I have a fully recovered horse, and a whole new methodical approach to riding.
How long have you been a USDF member?
I have been a member for about 12 years (see above). I was a hunter/jumper for 20 years before that.
What made you decide to participate in the USDF L Education Program?
I wanted to expand my knowledge and diversify my experience and income. I was in the process of transitioning from a well-paid, steady-income corporate job with excellent health benefits to a high-risk, expensive hobby/profession that may or may not pay the bills, haha. The L program not only expanded my knowledge, but also provided an avenue to potentially become a licensed judge someday.
How long did it take to complete the program, start to finish?
I did Part 1 in Michigan in 2017 and Part 2 in Arizona in 2020; each program was about six months. It was expensive, including the airfare and hotels, but I went where the program was available at the time.
Do you plan to further your dressage education and to continue to apply what you learned in the program to become a licensed official?
After earning the scores required for my Gold Medal, I plan to retake Part 2 of the L program. If I can graduate with distinction, I plan to apply for the USEF ‘r’ Judge Training Program. However, my friend/colleague who graduated with distinction and has scores eligible to pursue an ‘S’ judge license is still on a long waitlist for the ‘r’ program, so it can take many years to begin!
Do you serve as a judge for schooling shows in your capacity as an L Graduate? If so, on average, how many per year?
I have judged a couple of schooling shows since I graduated, but on average, only one to two per year. Often, we try to attend the schooling shows in our area to support our local shows, and shows that are further away usually have their “go-to” judges, so that can be somewhat of a challenge. I try to volunteer my judging hours when I’m able to.
What impact did the program have on your dressage knowledge?
I have competed a lot, so I knew how to ride the tests to get the most out of them, but the program offered much more insight into the methodology behind grading the tests, such as really understanding biomechanics, the training scale, and purpose of the movements and the levels. Also, learning about the guidelines and limitations of the test verbiage helped me understand how the judge is trying to communicate through their comments on the test. All of this has provided me with a deeper understanding of judging and how it can improve my training.
Name three things you took away from the program that you think every rider should know.
I think every rider should learn and understand the training scale, the biomechanics of the gaits and movements, and the purpose of each level.
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 not yet served in any other official capacity with USDF.
Tell us about your horse(s).
I am currently competing with two horses: Dreamliner, a 2017 Danish Warmblood bred by JJ Horses in Norway, who I competed and placed seventh at FourthLevel at the GAIG/USDF Region 3 Championships and twelfth in the FEI 6-Year-Olds at the US Dressage Festival of Champions, and Alhambra lxxiv, a 2011 Pure Spanish Horse (PRE) mare owned by Tricia Mills and bred by Coves Darden in South Carolina; we placed twelfth at Intermediate 1 at the GAIG/USDF Region 3 Championships and are schooling the Grand Prix movements to hopefully get scores for our Gold Medal within the next year or two!
Contact:
Email: sarahpsharpe@gmail.com
Phone: 843-324-8372
Website: sharpedressage.com
