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    • Home
    • Kimberly Dunlap
    • Facility
    • Rates & Services
    • The Science of Riding
    • Client Resources
    • Reviews
    • Calendar
    • Contact Us

Willow Ridge

Willow RidgeWillow RidgeWillow Ridge
  • Home
  • Kimberly Dunlap
  • Facility
  • Rates & Services
  • The Science of Riding
  • Client Resources
  • Reviews
  • Calendar
  • Contact Us

For over 20 years Kimberly Dunlap has been involved in the Midwest and USDF Region II equestrian community as a rider, coach, trainer and clinician. 


Kimberly has devoted her life to her education and has passionately studied Classical Dressage, horsemanship, and biomechanics. She has ridden competitively to 4th Level herself and has coached riders to competitive success from Intro/beginner through 4th Level as well. 


Due to chronic back and neck pain, she no-longer takes long-term training horses for mounted work but continues to develop riders through coaching. She is also experienced in long-lining, natural horsemanship and in-hand ground work techniques. 


Through the years Kimberly has worked with horses of many breeds, ranging from imported warmbloods, thoroughbreds, quarter horses, arabians, friesians, morgans, mustangs, appaloosas, paints, ponies, drafts and everything in between - even gaited!
 

She is especially passionate about helping non-traditional breeds transition successfully into Dressage or Western Dressage from other sports. She 110% believes that the study of classical horsemanship is for ALL horses and that, when done correctly, it brings out the most beautiful and most athletic version of each horse. 


Her ongoing commitment to understanding conformation, equine psychology, biomechanics, physics and Classical Dressage theory make her well-rounded approach powerful and effective. Kimberly has a patient, clear way of communicating that allows her riders to progress through the levels with confidence and success, both in and out of the show ring.


She is the author and curator of The Science of Riding, a free resource for equine welfare and sound training practices.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/scienceofriding


More below.

Visit The Science of Riding Blog

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • USDF Bronze Medalist
  • Attended the USDF "L" program in 2016-2017
  • USDF University Certificate
  • ADA Board Member, various roles 2010-2021
  • 2021 ADA 2nd Level Open Year End Champion
  • 2020 2nd Level Open Champion - Wyn Farm 
  • 2018 GLRSSC 3rd Level Freestyle Open Champion
  • 2018 ADA 3rd Level Freestyle Open Champion
  • 2019 Champion – 4th Level Open at Lone Tree ADA
  • 2022 2nd Level Open Champion - USDF @ Albion 

PRIMARY COACHES

  • USDF Gold Medalist Katrina Hiller
  • USDF Gold Medalist Carrie Wilson
  • ​USDF Silver Medalist Sue Thome 
  • ​USDF Silver Medalist Erica Treis-Petersen

OTHER CLINICS & COACHES

  • USDF Gold Medalist JJ Tate 
  • Long Lining Expert, Richard Malgram
  • ​USDF Gold Medalist Fred Weber
  • USDF Gold Medalist ​Catherine Haddad-Staller​​
  • ​USDF Gold Medalist Susan Jaccoma
  • ​USDF Gold Medalist Nicholas Fyffe 

ADDITIONAL EDUCATION

  • 2022 Ride a Test Clinic with "S" Judge Dolly Hannon
  • 2022 Clinic with Fred Weber
  • 2022 "Evaluating Saddle Fit" Certificate - FEI Campus 
  • 2022 Improving Bridle Fit- from an Evidence Based and Practical Perspective from Centaur Biomechanics - England
  • 2021 Canterworks Education Series - Hillary Clayton; Conformation for Sporthorses
  • 2021 FEI Campus - "Straightness & Symmetry" Certificate 
  • 2021 FEI Campus - "How horses learn" Certificate
  • 2021 Katie Hiller Clinic at Willow Ridge
  • 2021 "Spring Bootcamp" with Gold Medalist Katie Hiller at Wild Rose Farm. 
  • 2021 Sarah Geike "Virtual Lecture" Riding strategies to improve connection, balance and engagement. 
  • 2021 Charles de Kunffy "Virtual Lecture"  Inspiring Riders to Connect to Traditional Theories.
  • 2020-2022 -Ongoing Team Tate Academy Classical Dressage Education with JJ Tate
  • 2020 "Spring Bootcamp" with Gold Medalist Katie Hiller at Wild Rose Farm. 
  • 2017-2018 USDF "L" Judges Training Program
  • 2016 Dressage Foundation Grant - 2 weeks intensive study with Katie Hiller at Wild Rose Farm in Wisconsin. 
  • 2015 Spent winter in Wellington, Florida riding with Katie Hiller
  • 2013 New Rider Tests and Rider Collective Marks USDF University
  • 2011 International Dressage Summit (Christoff Hess, JJ Tate, Charles DeKunfy, Pat & Linda Parelli) – Wellington, FL
  • 2011 Symposium with Steffen Peters @ Albion College 
  • 2009 Balanced Rider - Balanced Horse USDF University: Convention Lecture
  • 2009 Finding Emotional Balance USDF University: Convention Lecture
  • 2009 Fabulous Freestyles with Tigger Montague & Lilo Fore 

Contact Kimberly

Happy Clients Say It Best...

Kimberly is an EXCELLENT trainer and great person. I highly recommend her! She believes in you and your horse, is patient, explains concepts well and health and happiness of horse is before all.  ~Heather Stille, Client since 2020

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