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Wednesday, November 16 2022 / Published in General, Weekly Feature

Lauren Knopp: Hooked on Dressage 

By Cheyenne Lord

Portraits by Kristen Scott-Crocker

Even before Lauren Knopp started riding, it was clear she had inherited her mom’s horse-craziness. During her early childhood, she briefly tried gymnastics and was an ice skater for three years, collecting Breyer horse models all the while. Although her heart really wasn’t in either sport, her mother, Teresa, thought it was important for her to be involved in something. The family reached out to a neighbor who kept a horse trailer in their driveway, and their neighbor later connected them with Terry Mardell at Hollandale Farm in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. Then-8-year-old Lauren took her first dressage lesson and was immediately hooked. 

“Once I started riding, I knew it would be with me forever,” Lauren said. “I always found it incredibly amazing that the horses trust us to ride them, and the bond a horse and rider can share is something I can’t explain. My horses and I really have incredible relationships that are symbiotic, and we share mutual respect, trust and love. For me, that bond and my overall love for dressage are why I stuck with the sport. It’s still so amazing to me that an animal can do something so beautiful and harmonious.”

With an ambitious nature and perfectionist tendencies, Lauren finds every equestrian discipline, especially dressage, different than most sports because of that bond between horse and rider. She can always try to better herself with and for the horses, setting short- and long-term goals to keep herself motivated throughout her daily life. 

Heading to Wellington

Lauren continued riding at Hollandale Farm until she was 13 years old. That year, her parents decided to sell their Pennsylvania home and move to Wellington, Florida, to further Lauren’s dressage training, buying a 7-year-old Belgian Warmblood named Nagir de Taillevent along the way. This transition allowed her to train and clinic with many talented people including the late Patrick Le Rolland, Sasha Newman Dubois, Carole Grant, Oded Shimoni, Raul Corchuelo, Laura Graves, Debbie McDonald, Juan Matute Sr. and Ali Brock. She now works with Devin Kane.

“My parents really are amazing people,” Lauren said. “They’re my biggest fans, and I’ve made so many memories working so closely with them at our IDA Farm! They’ve literally only missed two shows in my career, so every time I go down centerline, they’re there watching me. Also, when my mom started back up riding, I really enjoyed being the one who taught her dressage.” 

Among Lauren’s accolades are her USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medals as well as team and individual silver medals from the 2009 North American Junior & Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) with Rho Dance. With her foundation in and passion for dressage, she prides herself on having correct basics instilled in her from the beginning. Her parents, Teresa and Harry Knopp, also taught her the importance of having a solid work ethic.

“I wasn’t handed any of this,” said the Grand Prix-level competitor. “They made me earn everything I have. I had to do well in school. They set goals for me and taught me how to set goals for myself. In addition to that, I envision myself completing those goals. When I need alone time to self-reflect, I carve time out at the end of the day to relax and recharge. It’s really nice having parents that are so involved in the industry because they understand the dedication it requires, and they have always supported my dreams and always tell me to go for it.”

From early on, Lauren knew she wanted to be an equestrian professional and train for a living. Now, she wears many hats around her family’s IDA Farm in Wellington: barn manager, trainer, coach, groom and whatever else is needed of her. Teresa and Harry help run the farm, and Harry owns an associated construction company, IDA Development, specializing in luxury homes, barns, arenas and equestrian estates. 

“My dad is always busy making sure the training facility is kept at its best,” Lauren said. “The footing is a prime factor, and he’s made sure that we have what I think is the best I have ever ridden on. My mom is a people person; she meets and greets and makes sure everyone has a smile on their face. She is right there for me if I need her. I am so lucky. Even my younger brother comes and helps out when he’s not in school.”

Great Support System 

With the ongoing encouragement of her parents, Lauren took a three-year hiatus from riding to become a full-time student at Stetson University. Keeping her goal of being a trainer in mind, she chose to study psychology with a minor in communication so she could effectively communicate with her clients and help them with their own goals.

Then in 2013, just three semesters shy of graduation, Lauren took a semester off to qualify one last time for the NAJYRC Region 3 dressage team before she aged out of the division. “It was my parents’ idea to take that break from school,” she said. “I wanted to graduate with my class and didn’t want to fall behind. But they said, ‘You only have this opportunity once. Don’t throw it away. Go have fun and see what happens.’”

Lauren’s return to the show ring brought her and her mount Rantaro to the 2012 Brentina Cup, where they placed third overall. That fall, she moved back home permanently and transferred to Palm Beach Atlantic University to finish her degree. She started Lauren Knopp Dressage, LLC, riding and teaching while commuting to school and back for her college courses. 

“That break for Young Riders was actually very helpful to me in a lot of ways,” Lauren said. “It taught me a lot about time management and setting more goals to accomplish. Also, since I was a bit older than the other people in my final classes and running a business at the same time, I was super focused on getting my degree finished. My college work actually improved drastically when I started commuting, rather than when I was away for school without the horses.” 

Hard Work and Dedication 

Surrounded by her family and a fantastic string of horses, Lauren’s biggest long-term goal is to represent Team USA internationally, competing in the FEI World Cup, World Equestrian Games and, of course, the Olympic Games. In the meantime, she continues to be the best rider she can be for her horses and focuses on bringing a fun environment full of passion and commitment to her clients at IDA Farm. 

“I am so blessed and fortunate to have the horses I have myself and those in training,” Lauren said. “Every horse has a tailored, individualized program at the farm. I’m a firm believer that no horse is created equal, so I take the time to really get to understand each horse and client to know them inside and out.” 

Part of Lauren’s dedication to herself and her clients includes an emphasis on organization and a ritualistic pre-show routine. Everything is set out with enough time before a competition to go over the day’s test in her head, and she reflects on how lucky she is to do something she loves every time she gets on a horse. Lauren and one of her current FEI partners, Amadeus De Massa, had this same routine and many supporters at their back during the 2022 Adequan Global Dressage Festival, where they set a new personal best in the arena. Lauren was also voted the Omega Alpha Pharmaceuticals Barn Manager of the Season by her peers, and placed 10th at the Festival of Champions at Lamplight in the Intermediare division with Amadeus De Massa in August.

“My family and other supporters are with me at every stride,” Lauren said. “Working with horses means you should show up every day ready to learn and to better yourself. Never give up, and always have the hunger to learn more. Go sit in on lessons; go watch the horse show; go look up endless videos of top professionals. Taking time to reset when you need it is still important, but this sport will reward you greatly for that hard work, determination and dedication.” 

For more information, visit idafarm.com

Photos by Kristen Scott, www.sunsoarphotography.com

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A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself The spor A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself 
The sport of eventing is a demanding and mentally challenging discipline that requires a combination of physical and mental fortitude from both the rider and horse. While having a coach can be incredibly beneficial, self-coaching can also play a crucial role in a rider’s success.

I think that given the opportunity, most riders would like to be coached every day. The reality of life in the horse world, however, is that the majority of us need to absorb as much from the lessons we have on a limited basis and then practice those skills at home to improve.

When I am riding, I try to have a plan for the horses each day and focus on what I’m looking to achieve. It’s important to be aware of the steady improvements rather than trying to solve everything all at once. This is especially important when teaching horses new movements or exercises that they might struggle with, and we need to give them time to learn and understand what we are asking for.

I have a couple of quotes that I use regularly when I’m teaching, and these are mottos that I hold myself to in my daily work as well.

The first is, “If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten.” This is a quote that was said to me many years ago when I was still motor racing and I keep it in the back of my mind each day. It’s easy to get stuck doing the same thing every day with your horse and bad habits are hard to break, from both riders and horses!

This leads me to my next quote, which is, “If what you are doing isn’t working, try something else.” It really is as simple as that! Many riders I see keep asking a horse to do something the same way over and over with an ongoing negative response and they wonder why things don’t get better. In these circumstances, I recommend that the rider change something, even if it’s wrong.

Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio! Don’t forget to keep your eye out for our April subscription!
📸Photo by Alex Banks Photography
The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here and we are so excited to feature three-day eventer Liz Halliday on the cover! Big thanks to photographer Melissa Fuller for the beautiful photo of Liz and Cooley Nutcracker- Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing. Liz and her horses have taken the eventing world by storm - and find out how Liz is at the top of the sport as a female eventer! As the horse world gears up for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2023, it's the perfect time to enjoy our eventing issue!! We also feature eventer and woman entrepreneur Frankie Thieriot Stutes, who is not only an eventer, but also runs Athletux and FRANKIE CAMERON handbags and accessories. And don't miss our eventing story on Robert "Bobby" Costello, who will be leading the US Eventing team to the 2024 Paris Olympics- and US Equestrian has named Bobby the eventing technical advisor/chef d'equipe!! Liz, Frankie and Bobby all have GREAT stories - don't miss any of them and don't forget to get your tickets for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event! We are also excited to introduce you to hunter-jumper rider Casey Lorusso Smith, who is not only a talented rider but also a psychotherapist and incorporates horses into her career. If you are up for adventure, then read the story on dressage rider Priscilla Baldwin who certainly doesn't let any grass grow under her feet! We also head to the west coast to catch up with hunter-jumper trainer Jim Hagman of Elvenstar Farm, we feature beautiful art by equestrian artist Tammy Tappan, and we get to know Miranda Jones and her family. Miranda is not only an attorney who spends a lot of time in the courthouse, but she's a rider and spends lots of time riding, and is joined by her daughters also! We are excited to feature Stephanie Lightner in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists George Williams, Robert R.L. Jacobs and Margie Sugarman! It's a great issue - and you can read it online, but don't forget to go to the website and order a subscription and get every issue delivered to your mailbox!! Enjoy this issue and enjoy the ride: Link in bio!!
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Marie Meyers has been around the world because of Marie Meyers has been around the world because of dressage, but it’s her farm in Moorpark, California, that has captured her heart. The farm and the business that thrives there represent Marie’s lifelong journey—a journey made up of good friends, spectacular horses and relationships made to last.

Marie was raised in Southern California, and spent her childhood playing just about every sport under the sun, but she didn’t discover riding until she was 14 years old. “I loved animals so much, so I started taking lessons. I did jumping at first, but I was very bad at that, for sure!” Marie laughed.

After some time, Marie moved on to take lessons at Foxfield Riding Academy and began riding dressage. “I fell into dressage by accident,” Marie said, “At the beginning, I thought it was extremely boring, but then I got hooked. By the time I graduated from high school, I had plans to travel to England to work for Franz Rochowansky, a former head of the Spanish Riding School.”

In 1988, Marie’s hard work paid off, and the pair was selected as alternates for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. “They didn’t take the alternates that year, so we didn’t go to Seoul, but the experience, the training and the European Tour afterwards set me up for the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden,” Marie said.

In addition to having success representing her country, Marie was busy with her life—marriage, a business, teaching lessons and clinics. 

Learn more about Marie in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more 🦄

📸Photos by Lindsey Long Equine Photography, www.lindseylong.com

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