ABOUT
Sandy Savage
Sandy is a USDF - Bronze, Silver and Gold medalist who is certified by the Swedish National Riding School through an extensive three year program. After her studies in Sweden she spent a year apprenticing with Olympic Gold Medalist Gabriella Grillo in Germany. She has cliniced with notable trainers including Charlotte Dujardin, Steffen Peters, Arthur Kottas, Conrad Schumacher, Anders Lindgren, Heike Kemmer, Mette Rozencrantz, Volker Brommann, and she continues to ride regularly for Volker Brommann and others. Sandy’s education has been consistently guided by classical European masters.
Sandy began riding at the age of eight in the Los Angeles area with Swedish trainer Lilian Van Dahn. Her love for horses led her to become an instructor at the Traditional Equitation School located at the LA Equestrian Center, and she later transitioned to an assistant trainer in the dressage barn after she returned home from Sweden.
Sandy’s studies at Strömsholm included theory classes on technique for teaching riding, running a riding school, anatomy, feeding, finances, and other skills. Her practical education covered young horse development, jumping, free jumping, cross country, long lining, driving a carriage, and of course, dressage. This well rounded education gives Sandy a unique approach to producing a happy, sound, and willing athlete.
Sandy feels that Gabriella Grillo has had the greatest influence on her riding and teaching. Grillo taught her that every horse has a talent, you just have to find the way to bring it out. She was always compassionate to each horse and extremely detail oriented with regards to rider position. Sandy has adopted this philosophy and is also very thorough and empathetic in her teaching. She believes that you need to have a good position as well as a correct understanding of the aids in order to ride your horse tactfully. If you can do that, then the movements come easily. Her goal is to teach her students to ride and to get along better with their horses through clearer communication.
Since returning to the US in 2000, Sandy has brought several horses to the Grand Prix level but also enjoys working with young horses. Since having to prematurely retire her competition mare Relevé in 2016, Sandy was inspired to begin a small breeding program with the help of Erika Pilimai. Her experiences training youngsters enables her to have first hand knowledge of which bloodlines are known for producing talented and rideable offspring. Sandy has also helped over 15 riders achieve their USDF medals at all levels, including a number of Gold medals. Sandy is also available to help you find your next dressage partner, she prides herself on matching the right horse to the right rider.
Whatever your goals, Sandy can help you achieve them.
Breeding
Sandy had to prematurely retire her competition mare Relevé in 2016. Because of this, Sandy was inspired to begin a small breeding program with the help of Erika Pilimai.
Her experiences training youngsters enables her to have first hand knowledge of which bloodlines are known for producing talented and rideable offspring.
Sandy is also available to help you find your next dressage partner, she prides herself on matching the right horse to the right rider.
Internationally and Domestically!
Whatever your goals, Sandy can help you achieve them.