Beth Brainerd
Horses have been my life long passion and I have been riding them
since I was six years old. Most of my formal dressage instruction
has come from Sharon Poulin, with whom I continue riding. Sharon is
the former co-owner, along with her husband Michael, of the School
of Dressage in Fairfield, Maine. She is now an instructor,
competitor, and trainer in DeLeon Springs, Florida at Dressage
Center, Inc.
I spend time in Florida working with Sharon each year, focusing on
training my current competition horse as well as riding some of the
Poulin’s upper level horses. Over the years I have ridden and
trained with Barend Heilbron and Gunnar Ostergaard. I have attended
clinics, symposiums and conferences in Florida and on the East Coast
with trainers and Olympic class riders Hilda Gurney, Michael Poulin,
Robert Dover, Jessica Ransehousen, Conrad Schumacher, Lisa Wilcox,
Bo Jena, Klaus Balkenhol, and Anky van Grunsven.
I ran a riding program for a children’s camp in Casco when I was in
my early twenties. At the same time, I also worked for Lawrence
Poulin of Highland Dressage Center in Falmouth, Maine, where I ran
the lesson program and aided in the care and training of the horses.
By continuing my own education my teaching is revitalized and
enjoyable for myself and for my students.
I feel it is important to be involved with the decision making and
advancement of dressage in Maine. As such, I assisted in the
facilitation and organization of Maine Dressage Society Symposiums,
featuring such notable riders as Hilda Gurney, Lilo Fore, and
Micheal Poulin. I am also a board member of the Maine Dressage
Society through which I currently coordinate the Maine Year-End
Awards Program. I am a participating member of the United States
Dressage Federation and the United States Equestrian Federation.
- Masters in Psychology
- Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration
- Silver Medalist in the United States Dressage Federation
- Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Medalist in the Maine Dressage Society
- Regional and state awards at various competition
levels from 1992 to present
Assistant Instructors
- Hillary Nurmi has been riding with Beth since she was nine. She has earned awards locally and competed regionally through second level. She teaches beginning rider and beginning adult classes at Hidden Brook Farm.
- Laura Brainerd has been riding with her mother since she was old enough to speak. She is an FEI level competitor and has earned several awards both locally and regionally. She currently teaches beginner lessons in a creative and engaging fashion at HBF.
- Amanda Brainerd has also been riding with her mother since she was old enough to stand. She is competing at third level and working toward qualifying regionally for USDF region 8 championships. She is learning to teach beginning riders and assists with the training of young horses.