Our Mission

Our mission is to systematically produce youth dressage riders to the top of the sport with particular emphasis on horsemanship and classical dressage principles.

Four Pillars:

  • Youth-Focused: Building  the nation’s foremost boutique dressage training program for youth

  • Horse-First: Teaching students to become horsemen first and riders second, always making the needs of their equine partners their top priority

  • Inspire Volunteerism: Developing the give-back reflex, both in daily life and for the greater good of the equestrian community

  • Foster Independence: Encouraging self-confidence and self-reliance through hands-on education in horse management 

Our Team

Nicole DelGiorno

Head Instructor

Nicole is a USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medalist, “L” Graduate with Distinction, four-time North American Youth Championships medalist, and board member of The Dressage Foundation, Dressage4Kids and Dressage at Devon. Her passion for horses began at an early age, and her commitment to their proper care and handling was fostered by the United States Pony Club. Today, she specializes in developing youth riders to the elite levels of the sport. Her students include USDF Bronze and Silver Medalists, USEF Dressage Program Clinic participants, as well as Festival of Champions competitors and NAYC medalists. Throughout her career, Nicole has been fortunate to learn from some of the best horsemen in the world including Nancy Polozker (Pan American Games Silver Medalist), Rick Klaassen (former Coach of the Dutch National Dressage Team), George Williams (USDF President and USEF Youth Coach), and Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel (long-listed for the Olympics).

Specialties:

  • Dressage (USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medalist)

  • Dressage Judging (“L” Graduate with Distinction)

  • FEI Youth Education

  • Sales

  • Youth Education

  • Young Professional Development

Quinn Ridgway

Assistant Instructor

Quinn is a USDF Bronze and Silver medalist, North American Youth Championships (NAYC) bronze medalist, Festival of Champions competitor, and second-generation horsewoman, who has managed her family’s equine boarding facility in Burlington County for the past several years. In 2020 she placed 10th in the nation in the FEI Junior Division at Festival of Champions. In 2022, she moved up to the FEI Young Rider Division, placing 6th in the Musical Freestyle at NAYC. In 2023, she came back to anchor the bronze medal winning Young Rider team at NAYC. In the winter of 2024, she spent the season training in Wellington with Oded Shimoni having received the prestigious Dressage4Kids Christian Kennedy Scholarship. Quinn herself is a product of The Dressage Academy’s program and has trained with Nicole DelGiorno since 2018.

Specialties:

  • Dressage (USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist)

  • Dressage Seat Equitation

  • Ponies

  • Youth Education

  • Barn and Horse Management