Robin Sandberg and "Sultao HM"

Robin writes, "I started training with Tracey approximately four years ago with my then Dutch Warmblood Jordan ("J.J.").  We trained and showed a few times while I tried to gain my confidence in the show ring. After seven and a half years of ownership, I made a difficult decision to sell J.J., and last year bought a wonderful Lusitano gelding, Sultao HM ("Sully"). Tracey has helped me so much in learning to ride a new horse (and new breed), and I am having so much fun every time I get on him. His training is coming along so well, as is my confidence, that we plan on showing this year at First Level. If it wasn't for Tracey's dedication to my goal - a USDF Bronze medal, I still would be going in circles (and not very good ones at that!)."

Personal best score for First Level: 63.000%

Robin has now received her first score towards her Bronze medal.

(Photo by Tracey Winter)

Michelle Gelrod and "Let It Rain" (Raymond)

Michelle and Raymond (both featured in the photo at right), a 16.2h Oldenburg, came to Tranquillity Dressage in late 2005. Raymond had not been under saddle very long, but their work had been grooming them for the hunter ring. Knowing that dressage could be of benefit to their program, they began learning the basics of dressage, and did very well, until it was time for them to return to their home in New Jersey for the 2006 summer season, where he returned to his hunter work. They returned in the winter of the 2006/2007 season and continued their training and showing, again returning to New Jersey to pursue their hunter work. They returned for the 2007/2008 season, and Tracey recently showed Raymond at the prestigious Wellington Classic Spring Challenge, where they did extraordinarily well. It was Raymond's first show at Training Level, and he earned a 72.174%, with excellent comments from the judge!!!

While working with Tracey, their accomplishments have included the following:

Personal best score for Introductory Level: 70.5007%

Tracey's personal best score with Raymond for Training Level: 72.174%

(Photo by Tracey Winter)

Paula Fiorenza and "Macho"

Paula and Macho, a 16.3h Dutch Warmblood gelding, began working with Tranquillity Dressage in 2005, when they were competing at First Level. Since working with Tracey, they pair has gone from First Level to recently beginning Third Level and, although only having been able to show on a limited basis, they are now competing successfully. Since starting with Tranquillity Dressage, their accomplishments include the following:

2007 GCDA Year End Award - Third Level A/A Reserve Champion

2007 GCDA Year End Award - Dutch Warmblood Breed Award - 5th Place

2007 GCDA Year End Award - Bronze Medal

 

Personal best score for First Level: 67.647%

Personal best score for Third Level: 64.419%

 

Tracey's personal best score with Macho for Intermediare I: 72.000%

Qualified by Tracey for the 2007 USDF Region 3 Championships in Prix St. Georges and Intermediare I

 

Update: In September 2007, Macho was sold to Ann Hayes of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Ann is now showing Macho very successfully, with many wins already!

 

(Photo by Melissa Cipriani)

 

Vicki Ehrenman and "Kelessar"

Vicki began working with Tranquillity Dressage in 2002, when she owned her horse Persuasive Prince ("BJ"), who was retired in early 2006. With the help of Tracey, she has since purchased Kelessar, a 16.3 Trakehner cross gelding, who has been shown by Tracey since his purchase, due to Vicki's extensive work-related travel. After many years away from the show ring, Vicki was able to show him very successfully, winning virtually every class entered.

Personal best score for Introductory Level: 69.000%

Tracey's best score with Kelessar for Introductory Level: 69.500%

Tracey's best score with Kelessar for Training Level: 68.846%

 

Update: We are terribly sad to report that our beloved Kelessar had to be put down, due to an untreatable neurological disorder. He is very sorely missed by everyone that knew him. He was an extremely special and kind soul that will truly never be replaced. We are all heartbroken.

 

(Photo by Tracey Winter)

Alicia Nance and "Donovan"

Alicia writes, "Back in the early days of Tracey's professional dressage career, there was a lazy quarter horse and a lovable baby palomino. Tracey, somehow, managed to make that quarter horse (Donny) look like a million bucks, and his owner was even able to do a freestyle with him - her life's ambition. The palomino (Johnny) got an excellent start with Tracey, and never felt a heavy hand in his mouth.

Unfortunately, the boys had to relocate with me to California.  There was no trainer to be found here like Tracey and for various reasons, both horses were granted an early retirement. The successes Donny, Johnny and I have experienced go well beyond the dressage ring. We all worked hard when it was required of us, and now enjoy the gift of an easy life in the hills of California. Who could ask for anything more?

Thank you, Tracey, for giving us the best training experience a person (or horse) could ask for."

Lana Kay Merton and "Forbidden" (Trix)

Lana Kay started with Tracey back in 2003 with her previous horse, Fiddlestyx ("Styx"). He was retired in 2005 and Lana Kay, with the help of Tracey, purchased Forbidden, a promising young 16.0h Trakehner mare who was only 30 days under saddle. They already have numerous accomplishments under their belt, including:

2006 GCDA Year End Award - Introductory Level A/A Reserve Champion

2006 GCDA Year End Award - Champion Trakehner

2006 Ingred Pollak/Hubert Rohrer Achievement Award

2006 GCDA Year End Award - Gold Medal

2007 GCDA Year End Award - Training Level A/A Champion

 

Personal best score for Introductory Level: 75.714%

Personal best score for Training Level: 65.833%

Tracey's best score with Forbidden for Introductory Level: 74.280%

Tracey's best score with Forbidden for Training Level: 73.846%

Qualified by Tracey for the 2007 USDF Region 3 Championships for Open Training Level

(Photo by Tracey Winter)

Lana Kay's comments: "Our goal for the Trix (Forbidden) and Lana partnership for the 2005-2006 show season was to get this young mare to a few GCDA shows, let Tracey ride her a couple times, and get me on her at a show....or two.....maybe.... Well, we far surpassed that goal! Tracey rode her the first show of the season, and after that we both were able to ride the mare in the rest of the shows of the season. Tracey's Introductory Level average on Trix for the season was 73.240%, and mine was 64.940%. The most important accomplishment of this past season has been the bond that has developed between this young mare and myself. With Tracey's training, guidance, and patience, we have a young horse that I am able to ride with confidence and trust, that as a relatively inexperienced adult amateur I am able to continue to learn basic riding skills, I have a horse that can be competitive with "the best", and I have a horse that is affectionate, loving, has personality plus, and gives me her best when we work. Our goal for the 2006-2007 season will be to show in Training Level at Gold Coast Dressage competitions, and we're off to a great start!"

 

Elaine Slansky and "Apollo"

Elaine came to Tranquillity Dressage several years ago with her Appendix gelding, Spirit. After his retirement, Elaine and Tracey found Apollo, a wonderful 16.3h Dutch Warmblood gelding. Elaine and Apollo learned many things together while they were with Tracey. Elaine started riding later in life and began to learn all the dressage basics once her training with Tracey began - from rider position, to the use of the seat and other aids, and many other educational tidbits regarding horse care, care of equipment, and what it is to be a "horse person", rather than just being the owner of a horse. They also ventured into the show ring together, which was a huge personal accomplishment for Elaine, for which everyone was was very proud.

(Photo by Tracey Winter)

 

 

Susan McCoy and "Tonus" 

Susan McCoy worked with Tracey several years ago with her Arabian, Rocco. She has since moved to beautiful Ocala, retired her beloved Rocco, and purchased her new love, Tonus, a 1999, 16.2h Lusitano. Susan and Tracey still stay in touch, and in a recent email, Susan had these kind words to say:

"Those of us that have been touched by you and those who share your views, philosophies and love of the sport are truly lucky. You have taught us that there are no shortcuts, and the only way to a harmonious relationship with our horses is through kind, non-forceful and clear training. Not to mention lots of time and dedication! You have had a huge influence over my riding and relationship with my horse!"

(Photo by James McCoy)

 

 

Raschida Brown and "Classic Gigi" (Gigi)

Kat came to Tranquillity Dressage in 2005 with Gigi, a 15.2h Saddlebred mare, who had only been trained and shown in saddleseat in the traditional Saddlebred manner. With much patience and attention to the understanding of the basics and relaxation, Gigi made the transition to dressage much better than anyone anticipated. In less than six months, she was doing all the basics, plus leg yielding, shoulder in, and haunches in! She has since been sold to a happy new owner.

(Photo by Tracey Winter)

 

 

 

 

 

Debby Voll and "Danny"

Debby Voll and Danny, a registered Paint, came to Tranquillity Dressage several years ago, and Debby did extremely well with him in the show ring. They competed at Training and First Levels for the first time with Tracey, and took home several blue ribbons and year-end awards in the process. After reaching Danny's potential, Debby moved him to another facility. Danny has since very sadly passed away, and all who knew him are heartbroken, but know he is running in the fields of Heaven waiting for the day that Debby will come and ride him through the fields once more. We at Tranquillity miss both of them.

(Photo by Tracey Winter)

 

 

 

Emily Brott and "Folly"

Emily and Folly, a Quarter Horse/Arab cross, also came to Tranquillity Dressage several years ago, and at the time were showing the pony hunter circuit. With Folly coming up in age, they knew that dressage was something that would be good for both of them, and would allow them to continue to stay in the show ring, as well as improve their riding skills. They started at Introductory Level and moved on to Training Level, showing very successfully and winning many awards in the process. To my knowledge, Folly is now semi-retired, and Emily is working with her young horse, Caradonna, that Tracey started, at another location. We wish them the very best.

(Photo by Tracey Winter)