Christina is an F.E.I. competitor and trainer.
She has competed successfully through Prix St. George (with numerous wins, and Division Champions), and has ridden/trained through Grand Prix.
Long time working student for:International trainer Lorinda Lende,
Olympian Michael Poulin, and Sharon Poulin
Continued education with:
Olympian Bent Jensen,
International trainer Christopher Hickey,
International trainer Jan Ebeling
Enjoy her Bio!
It's All About Dressage...
Christina entered the dressage world head-first at 19, taking her first working-student position with Grand Prix trainer Lorinda Lende, who owns and operates Black Swan Studio near West Chester, PA. From Lorinda, Christina learned to ride many different types of horses. Christina would start the day riding Lorinda's personal horses then finish with sale or client horses. Christina had the opportunity to ride horses that were in different stages of their training, from the young horse that was just "backed" to schooling FEI movements on trained FEI show horses and schoolmasters. Riding so many different horses helped Christina develop her feel and timing both physically and mentally.
Christina traveled to De Leon Springs, Florida, to train with the multiple-Olympian Michael Poulin and his wife, Sharon Poulin. While at the Poulin's, Christina learned how to manage all the upper-level horses and riders that compete at the International level. The intensity of the program had a profound influence on her. Christina had a hand in day-to-day operations and helped take care of 50 resident and seasonal horses that were there in training. Soon, Christina was working the FEI ponies and was re-conditioning horses coming back from injuries.
After two years in Florida, Christina still wanted to learn more, she wanted to be able to train and show at the FEI levels. Christina packed her bags again and returned to Pennsylvania to continue her training with her first mentor, Lorinda Lende (with whom Christina has continued her close association for seven years).
Christina has trained with the Nation's best. Some of the most influential trainers who helped Christina shape her own philosophy include International trainers Bent Jensen, Christopher Hickey and Jan Ebeling. All the trainers with whom Christina has worked have made a huge impact on her riding style and continue to influence the choices she makes during every ride.
Each horse Christina has worked with, even those only once, has made an impact on her training and teaching methods. Each horse has given her more insight and understanding of the complexity of dressage, and increased respect for the sport.
