Kelly McGinn is a gifted FEI Dressage rider, trainer and coach. She has earned her United States Dressage Federation Bronze and Silver Medals, numerous year end awards and championships at the National level. Although her commitment to the sport of dressage has served Kelly well she continues to strive toward her goals to compete at CDI (International) level competitions and train and compete in Europe.
She has been riding with Scott Hassler at every opportunity for many years, and has been working exclusively with Scott since 2003.She believes that Scott is one of the best trainers in the country today and his teaching style and methods suit her perfectly. Scott was the director of training at Hilltop Farm for 15 years and now operates his own business, Hassler Dressage. With more than 30 horses qualified for national championships and numerous national championship wins, Scott is an internationally renowned trainer. Scott is an American representative of the International Trainers Club, sits on the Executive Board for the Oldenburn N.A./IRS Registry and the USDF Sport Horse Breeding Board. He also severs on the USA Equestrian Breeding Committee. Scott trained and developed all his Grand Prix horses from the beginning, with several of his mounts long listed by the USET. His training was guided for 2 &1/2 years in Germany under Herbert Rehbein, Harry Boldt and most recently Michael Klimke. for over 10 years, Scott has been appointed a Guest Rider for the Stallion Performance Testings. He is also certified to conduct breed show handling classes by the USDF. For more on Scott, visit his website HasslerDressage.com.
Kelly runs a training program on the Eastern shore of Maryland. She enjoys teaching riders of all levels and abilities. She believes that every horse and rider, no matter what their discipline, can benefit from Dressage. She is always positive, patient and enthusiastic, the key ingredients for success. Kelly also actively helps the local pony club with their dressage, she wants youngsters to see how exciting dressage can be when done correctly.
Horses have always been apart of Kelly’s life. She grew up in New Hampshire and at the age of 6 she was already riding. She began riding English and loved jumping. To fulfill her inner Cowgirl she tried Western and did some barrel racing and roping. At age 12 her family moved to Maryland where she began 3-Day eventing. This is where she discovered Dressage and that has turned into her life long passion.
What Kelly loved about dressage from the start was the harmony and unity between horse and rider. “There is a relationship that grows from training a young horse to from the beginning through the upper levels of dressage, it cannot be put into words”. To Kelly, they are more then just horses, they are her partners. She believes that it is the journey and relationship between horse and rider that develops over many years that leads to greatness.
Her Horses
DEVON
Devon is a 1997 Oldenburg gelding. He was imported in the fall of 2000 from Germany. Devon has excellent bloodlines, as he is by the stallion Don Gregory, who is by the legendary Donnerhall, and out of a Rubenstein mare. Devon is a powerful, opinionated horse with loads of talent. He is schooling 4th level and Kelly hopes to make her Prix St Georges with Devon this spring. Click here for more information on Don Gregory.
WINDSOR
Windsor is a 2003 KWPN (Dutch) gelding by Harmony’s Rosseau and our of a mare by Goodtimes. Windsor has all the talent, and then some, to become a top competitor.
*Testimonials*
What are the ingredients for an excellent dressage lesson?
- 1 motivated student, willing to work hard
- 1 cooperative horse (or maybe not always so cooperative)
- A decent place to ride
- The “Master Chef” – an instructor who has a good eye for what’s happening with horse and rider and the experience to know what to do about it
The “Master Chef” in my lessons is Kelly McGinn. I have been taking lessons with Kelly for several months now, and she has really helped me move forward with my horse. Kelly has helped me relax, while still paying attention to being correct, which has helped my horse move more freely. Kelly is very observant about my interaction with my horse, works hard to communicate effectively, and obviously thinks carefully about how to explain things. She is demanding in a positive and encouraging way and makes me feel like I am capable of achieving my goals with my horse. Lessons are fun, and I am looking forward to “really cooking” and doing some shows with my increased confidence.
Gail Roberts
