Going for GOLD – 20 Times and Counting

By Sydney Lee 

Achieving success in dressage is no small feat; it demands not only skill and dedication from the rider, but also a tirelessly committed coach who believes in that horse and rider pair. 

After Virginia Woodcock swept the FEI North American Youth Dressage Championship (NAYC) Junior division, winning gold medals in the Team, Individual, and Freestyle tests under the watchful eye of her coach, Karen Lipp, it brought up memories of earning my USDF Gold Medal. Though different divisions, the word “Gold” intertwines the two. With Karen Lipp’s training and coaching, earning my Gold Medal was a dream that became a reality in 2013. I was Karen’s 13th Gold Medalist. 

At seven years old, Karen started riding on camp horses at a YMCA outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her first noble steed was named One Eye, because he had lost an eye earlier in his career. Her grandfather told her that if she ever lived somewhere where she could keep a horse, he would buy one for her. 

After moving to Georgia in the fifth grade, and living across the street from a barn, Karen sent her grandfather $20 she had earned and asked him to put it towards the horse he promised for her. As it turned out, her grandfather parlayed that $20 into $800 through a bet at a racetrack. This gave Karen her first horse, Coal, a Tennessee Walker from a kill pen. Karen was attempting to teach Coal to jump fences, but it became clear that was not Coal’s calling. The trainer at the farm where Coal was boarded taught saddleseat and offered to help Karen. 

Throughout middle and high school, Karen took advantage of any riding opportunities that came her way. After graduating college, Karen became an EMT. For the next several years, she balanced being an EMT and a riding instructor. The horses kept calling her, and when she was 26, she became a full-time teaching professional. 

Always a student of dressage, Karen has earned her USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals, all with Distinction. Four of her Bronze Medal scores were earned on an off-track Thoroughbred. Her Gold Medal was earned in 2001, on a horse she trained to Grand Prix under the tutelage of Michelle Gibson. With the help of a US Equestrian Team grant, Karen traveled to Europe in 2005 (with three FEI horses) and trained with Klaus Balkenhol. Her education continued with Lars Petersen and then Tina Konyot. Finally, Charlotte Bredahl has trained and coached Karen for the last five years. 

Dressage is a constantly evolving discipline, and Karen’s experience as a student has served her well, growing her skill set and practical knowledge. She embodies the belief that one is never done learning. Despite being a seasoned trainer and competition rider, Karen continues to evolve, always seeking input from her coach to refine her techniques.

Karen trains out of her beautiful facility, Stal 810, that she built with her husband, Tony Bordwell. Tony is a builder, and the two of them, with contracted crews, built the house, barn, paddocks, round pen, and covered arena. Every detail was thoughtfully executed. To say it is a labor of love, is an understatement. 

With sixteen horses in full training and numerous trailer-in clients, Karen’s days are long and full, as is her enthusiasm to help every student thrive. Karen plays a pivotal role in a rider’s journey, providing valuable feedback, and helping her students refine their techniques and overcome challenges. She also offers strategic advice on approaching competitions and managing the mental aspects of performance. Karen is a fierce competitor and knows exactly how to guide her students through the highs and lows of their journey. 

As Karen’s passion for teaching has grown over the years, so has the number of Gold Medals earned by her students. Today, 20 riders have earned their USDF Gold Medal as a result of Karen’s unwavering support. Some of Karen’s riders have achieved their Gold Medals with the help of a schoolmaster, and other riders (like myself) earned their Gold Medals on horses that had never previously been shown at that level. Most of Karen’s students want to do most, if not all, of the riding, which makes her job even more difficult. 

Success in dressage is not achieved overnight; it requires perseverance and grit to push through setbacks and maintain focus. Riders often face obstacles, whether it’s mastering a difficult movement or recovering from a disappointing performance. Karen’s ability to help her students stay motivated and continue working towards their goals – despite challenges – has been critical to the success of her program. 

Not only has she helped 20 riders achieve Gold Medals, but Karen has also trained 12 horses to the Grand Prix level, most recently, her personal horse, Infinity (aka Marty), who was imported when he was a four-year-old. Now, seven years later, Marty continues to improve his dressage skills and strength, blossoming into a successful and happy Grand Prix horse. 

Developing and finishing horses to the top level of dressage, requires a steadfast commitment, patience, and belief. Karen has that in spades! Her recent achievement at the Festival of Champions, where she and Marty were Grand Prix Reserve Champions, is just another example and reminder that hard work will pay dividends. 

I, along with Karen’s other students, am grateful for the gifts she continuously – often painstakingly – shares with us, helping us become the kind of riders and competitors we always dreamed of being. Who will be Karen’s 21st Gold Medal recipient? Stay tuned!