Mary Jane Parmentier Instructor/Trainer
Kristin Miller Volunteer Coach Interscholastic Equestrian Association Dressage Team
Kristin Miller is a USDF Bronze medalist and currently working on her Silver medal. Her scores are all earned on horses she has trained herself. Kristin is also enrolled in the USDF L Education Program. She volunteers her time with our beginner and youth programs. Classical Dressage is the basis for all aspects of Kristin’s work with riders and horses. Correct position and training the riding on the lunging are one of the training aspects in which she specializes. Kristin is detail oriented and has a talent for clearly explaining in a positive and engaging manner. Kristin also assists in our offices with bookkeeping.
Jordon Parks Rider/Trainer Young Horse
Jordan Parks specializes in working with both young dressage horses. She enjoys the whole process - from necessary groundwork to lunging, to backing, to competing in the show ring. Jordan enjoys the process, and she has a unique talent for keeping the young horses calm and happy; explaining the aids to them so that they easily understand. She can get them on the right path from the very beginning without pressure or force. Jordan believes in the classical method of dressage and the correct starting of young horses. Proper handling on the ground, followed by correct lunging, followed by correct riding, creates a happy horse who understands his/her job in a relatively short period of time. Jordan works directly with Dorie Vlatten-Schmitz to improve a horse’s athleticism and training progression.
Erika Reyes Beginner and Youth Volunteer Coach CARA Scout Program
Erika Reyes started riding when she was a seven-year-old. Her first experience with riding was at a summer camp in New Jersey, from then on she just fell in love with horses and everything that went with it. She started with jumping but little by little she shifted to dressage. Erika did five years at Lisa de Vito’s barn in Walnut Creek, CA. When she moved to Arizona, she joined CARA where she trained for a couple of years in jumping and since then, she has been doing dressage which she loves. Erika has always been a barn rat and still rides every free moment she has. At times she volunteers to teach camp and children.
Dr. Lindsay Whipple PT, DPT
Dr. Lindsay Whipple, PT. DPT, Doctor of physical therapy and accomplished equestrian, Lindsay offers specialized treatment and corrective exercise programs for the human equestrian athlete. As a life long competitive rider herself, she recognizes the physical demands and psychological challenges involved in the optimizing rider performance to best influence the horse’s movement and success regardless of discipline. As a physical therapist specializing in elite sports and performing arts rehabilitation, she uses specific evaluation techniques to identify musculoskeletal imbalances in the body which are addressed using manual techniques and individualized corrective exercises to overcome injury, resolve muscular imbalances and strengthen the rider position and aides.
Lexie Schmitz, joins the CARA Team as the Administrative Assistant. She is a 2019 graduate of Benedictine University at Mesa with a Batchelor's degree in Communication Arts. Lexie has ridden since the age of 4 and she enjoys sharing her love of animals with others. She is committed to making your experience at CARA a positive and welcoming one.
Lexie Schmitz Administrative Assistant
Dressage Team
CARA offers comprehensive classical training for the horse and rider at all levels. Our combination of expert instructors and positive training methods facilitates the success of our students while allowing their horses to enjoy their work!
Uli received his equestrian training in Germany, where he successfully competed in dressage, show jumping, three day eventing and was awarded the German Riding Medal. Uli continued his career as a competitor after moving to Canada. He earned distinction as a dressage judge under the Canadian Dressage Federation. Uli added event course designer, dressage clinician to his equestrian skills in Florida and Arizona. He has shown through the Grand Prix level. Uli is an International FEI “I” Event Judge, and has served as a judge for the Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event. He is also an USEF “S” Dressage Judge and a USEF Sport Horse Judge. Uli has earned USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Rider Medals.
Uli Schmitz Owner/Lead Trainer
Dorie Vlatten-Schmitz Head Trainer/Instructor
Dorie has a degree in Animal Science from the University of Arizona. She won the Carl Heinrich Asmis United States Equestrian Award which allowed her to train in Germany under Herbert Rehbein, five-time German Professional Dressage Champion. Dorie has shown and is currently competing through the Grand Prix Level and has her “S” level USEF Judge’s license and her USEF Sport horse "r" Judge’s license. She also a member of the American Hanoverian Society Mare and Stallion Committee and Chair of the AHS Young Breeders Committee. Dorie has her USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Riding Medals and is a member of the USDF L faculty. She continues to ride.
Mary Jane Parmentier, PhD, is a Professor of Global Development at ASU, and is available for lessons, training, and judging schooling shows. A student and instructor of dressage for over 30 years, Mary Jane has her U.S. Pony Club ‘B’ rating, and has earned her USDF Bronze and Silver Medals. She has ridden with Dorie & Uli Schmitz, Gerd Zuther, Melonie Kessler, Tracey Lert, Dolly Hannon, and others. She is a USDF “L” Judge’s’ program graduate with Distinction.
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