Assistant Trainer - Tessa Dick

Twelve years ago I discovered my love for dressage. After trying many different equestrian disciplines from age 5 to 10, I was certain I found my calling. At age 13 I found my way to Freedom Hill in Olathe, Kansas which is owned by Arlene Rigdon and was managed by Rebecca Rigdon. She was also was the head trainer at Freedom Hill which was the perfect facility to start my journey as a Junior/Young Rider. After a year in training, Rebecca gave me a great opportunity to work for her, helping her train numerous horses. Amongst these horses was a batch of talented 3 year olds who needed to begin their training. I happily took them on with the help of Rebecca. These young horses ended up being sold to numerous riders with the exception of three (a weaning, yearling, and two-year old) of which I was fortunate to have my parents purchase for me to gain further experience. I currently still train and compete two of these horses, one of which is competing in the FEI 6 year-old division. They both continue to show a great deal of potential for the FEI ring. While we were at Freedom Hill we were very lucky to have the clinicians Conrad Schumacher, Steffen Peters, and Christine Traurig come in to teach on a regular basis as well.
When Rebecca decided to move her business to Steffen and Shannon Peters barn, Arroyo Del Mar in San Diego, Caifornia two and a half years ago I took her up on her offer to move with her. I continue to work for Rebecca as her assistant and head groom while she coaches me on a daily basis. On occasion Steffen and Shannon work with me as well.

While working and training with Rebecca I competed for a spot on the Junior/Young Rider team in 2007 to compete at the North American Junior Young Rider in Lexington, Virgina. Throughout the qualifying period I scored through the upper 60’s to low 70’s. At Championships I competed for Region 4 placing 12th out of 30 plus horse and rider combinations. Placing in the top 15 on the first day gave me the opportunity to perform and compete in the musical freestyles. Umberto Van De Denen and I placed 10th overall. I then set my sites on Young Riders in 2010 where I had the opportunity to compete with three different small tour horses; Umberto van de Denen, Milan, and Lord Chalk Hill. Unfortunately, Umberto had an injury mid-season that took him out of contention, and Milan (who was owned by Rebecca) was sold, but Lord Chalk Hill and I qualified for Championships. We ended up winning the team Bronze Medal or Region 4. I have since trained and shown Lord Chalk Hill through Intermediare II which was not only a first for me, but for him as well. I have received National and Regional USDF awards, as well as my Bronze and Silver USDF Rider Medals and am currently working toward my Gold.

Videos:

Camacho 60 days under Saddle	Lord Chalk Hill and Tessa
Tessa and Brie	Tessa and Walhall