Stephany & Satori
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Serendipity Dressage has been a long time coming, and it started way back in Bangor, Maine, in 1977, at the Fair, when Allon and Carolyn Fish first put their daughter Stephany on a pony. Since that day, the horse crazy girl wouldn’t stop asking for a horse, begging for lessons, something, anything horsey! Her poor beleaguered parents finally gave in, and hunter lessons started in 1978, after their big move to Ocala, Florida. After two years of lessons, they gave her the FIRST HORSE – and it has been a whirlwind ever since. From hunters to Pony Club and eventing, Stephany rode anything, anytime, anywhere. As she came into her late teens, her crazy streak settled a little, as she found a real passion for Dressage. At 18, Stephany left college to ride with Michael Poulin, as a working student. Armed with a newly sponsored 3 year old Hannoverian, her leap into the world of professional Dressage was a cold one, and a very eye opening one. Surrounded daily by such professionals as Michael and Sharon Poulin, Carol Lavell, and Michael Barisone, it was apparent she had much to learn. One of the highlights of her stay with Michael was getting to work around Graf George, who was toward the beginning of his career. After a several year stint in the hotel industry, with many moves and many barns in between, Stephany settled down in Jupiter, Florida. Working her way back into the Dressage industry, she held several interesting jobs, including working for a large, small, and exotic animal vet and grooming for Jane Savoie. Something was missing, and Stephany knew she needed more credentials if she was going to make it as a Dressage trainer. With some effort, she secured the money and the offer to go to school in Germany, at the International Academy of Equestrian Studies in Warendorf. School was fast paced and intense, but Stephany graduated with a National Trainer Certificate. While in Germany, she moved south to work for a friend of a trainer, and was given her next mount, Rocky, as a parting gift from her 5 month stay. The move to America was on! Since her return from Germany in 2002, Stephany has earned her Bronze and Silver USDF Medals, and is working towards her Grand Prix scores for the Gold. She has competed extensively, and has many placings in National Competitions, as well as Regional Championships. Stephany continues to forward her education on a regular basis, working with such notable trainers as Heather Bender, Heather Blitz, Mary Wanless and Henk van Bergen. Plans for the 2012 Season include attending the USDF Trainers' Certification Program, as well as the Mary Wanless Teacher Training Program. You will also see her campaigning her own horse, Satori, in the 4th level classes! |