usdf gold medal dressage trainer

 As one of the premier dressage trainers in the United States, Amber Smigel is a USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medalist. Amber offers classical dressage instruction and training to clients of all levels in the Southern California Region. Something Amber prides herself on is that she has reached the highest levels in the sport of dressage on horses she herself has trained from the ground up.

“I like to give horses a chance to grow up before I begin serious work under saddle. All of my training comes from a classical, conservative background that follows the six most important aspects of dressage: rhythm, suppleness, contact/connection, impulsion, straightness, and collection. Without this, you cannot achieve the back to front connection that we all strive for.” – Amber Smigel

Both at home and her happiest in the dressage competition ring, Amber has a true competitive spirit. She truly enjoys showing her horses, and continually strives to improve her riding. The same conviction she exhibits toward her own advancement is ever present in the training she offers.

Background

Amber truly rode before she walked. From the time she first sat up straight, she was sitting in a saddle in front of her mother cooling out horses after workouts. At 3, Amber received My Little Miss (Missy) and together, sometimes without a bridle or saddle, they rode the family farm in North Carolina. At 5, Amber began showing and was soon competing at the recognized shows alongside her mother. Sadly, outgrowing Missy, Amber got her first Arabian at 7. One Request (Sport) and Amber won numerous year-end, high point awards and show championships in hunter pleasure, western pleasure, sidesaddle and dressage. At 14, Amber sold her piano and went shopping for an Arabian that would take her to the Regional/National level in saddleseat. She met Popgunn (Ghost) at Swanson Arabians and fell in love. After winning many championships in Country Pleasure and Show Hack, they won their first of many regional awards. Amber then took on the task of retraining Ghost for the dressage arena and the rest is history.

At 18, Amber decided to take on the task of raising a foal and training him from start to finish. Along with Hanoverian Breeder Hans Lengers of Indianland Farm, they selected a young colt of 2 months and named him Dow Jones. Together they have risen through the levels winning numerous honors and enjoying the journey in the FEI arena. Amber also owns Dow’s full brother, Dijon. He was started by Amber at age 4, and has followed in his brother footsteps, successfully competed at the Grand Prix level.

Amber has trained several horses from starting to Grand Prix Level. She has ridden with Gunner Ostergaard, Gerd Zuther, Axel Steiner, Stacey Schettkoe, Mary Kehoe, David Wightman, and Conrad Schumacher. Her professional experience includes:

• Dressage Instructor – Springs Farm – 1996 – 2000
• Head Trainer – Fantasia Farms – 2000-2001
• Head Trainer and Instructor – Gracewood Farm – 2000-2005
• Dressage Instructor and Advisor – Two Shannons Farm – 2004-2005
• Owner/Manager/Trainer – All Pro Dressage – December 2001 until November 2005
• Trainer – Tar Farm Dressage 2007-2013
• Trainer – Coto De Caza Equestrian Center 2013-2017
• Trainer/Clinician – Orange County, Ca: 2017-present

Highlights, awards, and honors achieved by Amber and her horses include:

• IAHA US National Top Ten – Popgunn
• Regional Champion – 7 times – Popgunn
• NCDCTA Horse of the Year – 2nd and 3rd Level – Popgunn
• USDF Regional Reserve Champion – Dow Jones
• USDF Horse of the Year – Popgunn
• Horse of the Year – Arabian Sport Horse Association – Popgunn
• USDF Bronze Medalist – Amber Smigel
• USDF Silver Medalist – Amber Smigel
• Numerous Regional Top 5’s in Dressage and Show Hack – Popgunn
• Numerous Show Championships in Dressage, Hunter, Western, Show Hack, Country Pleasure and Ladies Sidesaddle
• Numerous Year End and USDF Awards
• IEL Dressage Trainer of the Year
• USDF Gold Medalist – Amber Smigel
• 2021 Trainer of the Year - San Juan Chapter
• 2021 Grand Prix Champion - Dijon