Biography:
Through the years Jodi has trained with Michael Poulin, Louise Nathorst, Walter Christiansen (Germany), Volker Brommann, Sue Blinks, and Kris Bobo. She trained with Christopher Hickey for 10 years and has been training with Vera Kessels since 2012. Jodi holds regular clinics (around 6-8 per year) with Vera Kessels in MetroWest Boston. Contact Jodi to be on the email list regarding upcoming clinics!
Jodi grew up on a farm that specialized in Dressage and Eventing. The 40 stall boarding and training facility was well known for its Dressage shows and Events. A graduate Pony Clubber, her initial training and showing was as a 3-Day Event rider. In 1983, she switched her focus to classical dressage and later was on the Gold Medal winning JR/YR dressage team.
"I have been working with Jodi as my trainer consistently for over 7 years. I cannot speak highly enough of Jodi and what she does for her human clients and the horses in her care. She helped me with my home-bred 5-year-old mare, Enya. I wanted to put my pride and joy and future dressage horse with a caring trainer. With Jodi, we both progressed, learned and had fun along the way. Unfortunately, Enya’s and my time together was tragically cut short after only a year when I lost Enya to complications due to colic surgery. Jodi stayed with me at the large animal hospital and could not have been more supportive. Then I started working with Jodi with my older 22-year-old mare (mother of Enya) and my former hunter/jumper horse. My older mare, Leticia, and I had a good relationship and had been together for 14 years at that point, but when I began to take dressage lessons with Jodi everything began to “click”. Jodi is patient, encouraging and pushes me when I need it, however, what I find extremely helpful is her ability to explain the aids and answer my questions. I believe through her experience and instruction I have become a better, more educated rider. Also, Leticia, now 28 years old, aged backwards these past 6 years, loves dressage – and Jodi (Leticia has exacting standards of “worthiness”). Jodi successfully transitioned both of us to a new discipline.Then when I was ready, Jodi helped me find another younger horse to further my riding endeavors. She provided sold and informative guidance in that sometimes-emotional roller coaster process of purchasing a new horse. I have had Quinn now for almost 5 years and we have progressed and competed in our first dressage shows. Quinn sometimes has her own ideas and Jodi is able talk me through that at home and prepares me for it at shows. I have been truly fortunate to have Jodi as my trainer."
-B. Gildea
|
