Central Vermont Dressage Association, Inc

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CVDA 2026 CLINICS

We are excited about our 2026 lineup! The variety of clinicians and locations will offer something for everyone. Mark your calendars to enter or to audit.

Angela Jackson

July 21-22, 2026

Foxwood Farm, Charlotte, Vermont
More information coming soon.

George Williams

August 8-9, 2026

Waterman Hill Farm, Norwich, Vermont

Born and raised in a horse family in New Hampshire, Mr. Williams has been studying dressage since 1973 when he traveled to Germany to enroll at the Reitinstitute von Neindorff, where he earned his German Bronze Rider Medal. In 1981 he became a resident trainer and rider for Tempel Farms in Wadsworth, Illinois and in 1988 was promoted to Director of the Tempel Lipizzans. Mr. Williams has trained in Germany with the former US Dressage team coach Klaus Balkenhol on numerous occasions. His international competitive career highlights with Chuck and Joann Smith’s mare Rocher include unprecedented three-time Dressage at Devon Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle winner, 2005 USEF/Collecting Gaits Farm National Grand Prix Champion, team bronze at CHIO Aachen and fifth at the 2003 World Cup in Sweden.

In 2015 Mr. Williams was named to the position of Dressage Youth Coach by the United States Equestrian Federation. In December of 2021 he was named to the position of High Performance & Pathway Development Advisor for USEF Dressage. He has served in numerous volunteer capacities for the past 30 years, including being on the FEI Dressage Technical Committee. He has been a member of the USEF Board of Directors and served as Chair of the USEF High Performance Eligible Athlete Committee, the USEF High Performance Committee and Co-Chair of the USEF Dressage Committee. Prior to being elected President of the USDF in 2010 he had been on the Executive Board for nine years as Vice President.

Mr. Williams and his wife, Roberta, operate Williams Dressage, LLC.

Ruth Hogan-Poulsen

Riding in Three-part Harmony, A Musical Clinic

September 13, 2026

East Hill Farm, Plainfield, Vermont
Ruth Hogan-Poulsen will lead you through the process of using music to take your riding to a new level. Harness the power of music to make an octave leap in harmony with your horse!

The goal of the clinic is to help both riders and auditors to use music in their riding to create more harmony between the horse and rider. Each participant will ride in a session/lesson with Ruth, working on finding music that works for their horse, either for making everyday rides more harmonious, or for the beginnings of a freestyle.

Groups of two-three will ride together while experimenting with different types of music, learning what works best for their horses and experiencing the harmony of riding in rhythm. Participants wishing to use their lesson to develop a freestyle should sign up for an individual session.

About Ruth: Ruth Hogan-Poulsen owns and operates Poulsen Dressage and "Freestyles from A to C" in Plainfield, Vermont and Wellington, Florida. Ruth has earned both the USDF Gold Medal and Freestyle Gold Bar. Her freestyles have been recognized in both national and international competitions. Committed to personalizing the dressage experience for each horse and rider, Ruth customizes individual training plans for her clients.

CVDA ANIMAL WELFARE STATEMENT

The rules pertaining to dressage competition prohibit the use of appliances, devices, and drugs. Instead, the emphasis is on progressive training and a cooperative partnership between horse and rider. As part of its mission, CVDA offers educational programs which explore and demonstrate classical and humane training methods.

CVDA RETURNED CHECK POLICY

Any returned check will incur an additional $40 fee. The person is then not eligible to participate in any CVDA activities until the indebtedness has been paid in full with a bank/cashier’s check. Once the indebtedness has been cleared, payment for any future activity must be paid with a bank/cashier’s check.

CVDA PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR POLICY

At any Central Vermont Dressage Association (CVDA) event, it is compulsory that all riders mounted at any time or anywhere on the competition/event showgrounds, competing at any level, wear properly fitted protective headgear which meets or exceeds current applicable ASTM/SEI (American Society for Testing and Materials/Safety Equipment Institute) standards for equestrian use and carries the SEI tag “Protective Headgear,” with chin strap secured.

For riders under 18 years of age, it is the responsibility of the parent, guardian or trainer to insure that the protective headgear worn complies with appropriate safety standards for protective headgear intended for equestrian use, and is properly fitted and in good condition.
Riders over age 18 are responsible for their protective headgear complying with the standards. CVDA and the facility hosting the CVDA event are not responsible for checking equestrian helmets for such compliance.

Any rider without protective headgear will immediately be prohibited from further participation in the CVDA event until such headgear is properly in place and/or, at CVDA’s sole discretion, may be prohibited from participating further in the CVDA event.

CVDA and the host facility make no representation or warranty, express or implied, about any protective headgear/equestrian helmet, and cautions riders that death or serious injury may result despite wearing such protective headgear as all equestrian sports involve inherent dangerous risk and as no helmet can protect against all foreseeable injuries.

Central Vermont Dressage Association, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.