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A life of dedication to the Sport of Dressage - A goal of achieving Olympic Glory
 

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Alison Larson's Equestrian Profile

Alison, Legretto and Dubai


Alison & Leggretto

2008 was a year of change for me.  I was fortunate enough to have spent the 2008 winter season in Wellington, Florida with a stable full of horses and students.  There were many highlights to the season.  The biggest highlight of the season was to have the opportunity to train with 6 time Olympian Robert Dover 3-4 times a week my with my fabulous partner, Legretto.  Robert has an incredible eye for correct work in the horse, and for what is needed to succeed in the show ring.  I learned so much from him; especially how to put together a Grand Prix test of very high accuracy and quality.  Most importantly, he confirmed in me that I am on the right track in my own training program.  What a confidence builder!!

Legretto and I also rode in the preliminary selection classes in Florida for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  What a great experience.  We held our own, even though we were a little “green”, but I am ready to go for it again in 2012. 

I spent the summer at my own farm, Sleipner Stables, in Minnesota keeping busy showing and training.  A number of my students earned their United States Dressage Federation’s Bronze medal, and others qualified for the USDF Regional finals. Dubai, owned by Medal Equestrian Foundation, debuted at 3rd/4th level with scores in the mid to high 60’s.  He is an incredible horse that has a very bright future ahead of him!  I also had three colts born in June 2008, and they are all healthy and doing well.

I decided to take a break from Florida for the 2009 season.  The horses needed a break from the rigorous training and showing, and we concentrated on training this winter.  We also enjoyed a very cold and snowy winter here in Minnesota.  We are looking forward to a much warmer winter next year!  The summer will be filled with shows, lessons, training, and clinics.  I have enrolled myself into the USDF “L” Program.  This is the Learner Judge program.  It is a prerequisite to becoming a national level dressage judge.  I hope to have my “r” rating within a year or two.  This is very exciting for my career.

I would like to give thanks to all of those who have supported me over the years to help me fulfill my dreams.  Without your help I would never be where I am today, or the person I have grown to be.  Congratulations to all of the other Medal Equestrian riders for a great 2008 and Good Luck to all in 2009!

Alison & Rhine Maiden


Alison, Julia and Heidi

Alison and Julia
 

Riding Accomplishments

 

2006
Started competing Legretto at Intermediare II
Champion Intermediare I (69.8%) at Gold coast Opener (Legretto)
Started Grand Prix with Legretto - many high places on Florida circuit
Many wins and high / highest scores with Wallaby LHF at training level
   (owner Jennifer Donaldson)
Wins and many high places with Palini at 2nd and 3rd level
   (owner Pamela Rober)
All three horses qualified for their regional finals at their respective levels
Invited / rode in USDF Trainers Symposium with Hubertus Schmidt (Legretto)
Invited / rode in USEF High Performance Clinic with Klaus Balkenhol (Legretto)

2005
GAIC/USDF Region 4
Champion Intermediare I (open)
Champion Intermediare I (freestyle open)
Reserve Champion Prix St. Georges
High score freestyle (74.5%)
USEF Intermediare I Championships(top 12 riders in US), Gladstone NJ
Winner Intermediare I- Zada Enterprises-Wellington (Legretto)
Qualified for ABIC/USDF Finals Prix St. George (Legretto)
Qualified for ABIC/USDF Finals Intermediare I (Legretto)
Qualified for ABIC/USDF Finals Intermediare I freestyle (Legretto)
Wellington- Intermediare I freestyle w/ scores in high 60s; also
ended with 69% in Intermediare I at Dressage at Equestrian Estates
Continued with Nobel Bach at Prix St. George with 69%


200
4
Champion fourth level ABIC/USDF Finals (Legretto)
Qualified for Intermediare I and II ABIC/USDF Regional Finals (Nobel
Bach)
Winner Prix St. George at Palm Beach Dressage Derby (Legretto)


2003
Reserve Training level Champion ABIC/USDF Finals(Raissa M)
Training level Champion Dressage at Lamplight (Raissa M)
Fourth Level Champion ABIC USDF Finals (Laurey)
Reserve Champion Prix St. George ABIC/USDF Finals (Laurey)
3rd place at Third Level ABIC/USDF Finals (Legretto)
Reserve Champion 3rd Level Midwest Championships (Robin Hood)
Reserve Champion 3rd Level ABIC/USDF Finals (Robin Hood)
Reserve Champion Intermediare I ABIC/USDF Finals (Nobel Bach)


2002

Champion - Prix St. Georges / 4th Level (all breeds)
Champion - Prix St. Georges (Region IV USDF/ABIC Finals)
Champion - 3rd Level (Region IV USDF/ABIC Finals)
Reserve Champion - Intermediare I (Region IV USDF/ABIC Finals)
19th Place (our of 240) - 3rd Level open (2000 Horse of the Year)


1999

1st place - 4th Level (all breeds)
3rd place - Horse of the Year (all breeds)

Named to the USET “Developing Riders” list

Placed 18th out of 140 in United States Pan Am competition

 

1998

1st place - 4th Level (all breeds)
Gold Medal Lifetime Achievement Award

 

1994
Gold Medalist

1989
Silver Medalist

1987
Bronze Medalist

 

Training History


Michelle Gibson (1996 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist)
Cindy Ishoy (1988 Olympic Bronze Medalist)
Carole Grant (1982 Pan-Am Games Gold Medalist)
Willi Schultheis (German Olympic Dressage coach)
Rudolf Rutinger

Professional Affiliations

United States Equestrian Team
United States Dressage Federation
American Horse Show Association
American Hanoverian Society
Active Board Member of the Central States Dressage & Eventing Association

Magazine Features

USDF Connection
Practical Horseman
Horses Daily
Sidelines
Chronicle of the Horse
Hunter & Sport Horse

Alison Larsen's Personal Profile


Alison Larson is one of the top Equestrian Riders in America. She has earned FEI status and has been awarded a coveted position on the United States Equestrian Team’s “developing rider” list.  She has earned more than a dozen Top Five finishes in national competition and has been awarded Bronze, Silver and Gold Medal honors by the United States Dressage Federation.  Her goal is to qualify for the United States Equestrian Team and represent the United States at a future Olympic Games.

 

Alison holds a combined Sociology / Psychology degree and resides in Minnesota with her husband, Ken, a veterinarian.

 

For more information on Alison, please visit her website at www.larsonsaderdressage.com
 

 


 

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Julia Warstler Courtney King-Dye Alison Larson Courtney Massie Heidi Basler Lindsay Fuchs Erin Waddell Judy Kelly
             
Shannon Peters