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.
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.
Lexie Schmitz
Administrative Assistant
In Memoriam
Karl
Ulrich
Schmitz
April 9, 1944 -
November 4, 2024
A True
Equestrian
In Memoriam
Karl Ulrich Schmitz
April 9, 1944 - November 4, 2024
A True Equestrian
There Would Be No CARA
Without This Man
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!
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.
Dorie Vlatten-Schmitz
Owner/Lead Trainer