Judy Westlake
Judy Westlake is a gold medal rider and United States Dressage Federation (USDF) certified instructor. Judy's passion to learn has led to a degree in Animal Sciences from The University of Rhode Island and Olympic level dressage instruction from world-renown dressage trainers. Her extensive knowledge comes from pursuing multiple English disciplines, but her knowledge, passion and show records are in the world of dressage.
Biography
Mentored by her equestrienne mother Mary "Pudge" Whitford, Judy started her lifelong equine career at the age of three. By the time Judy was 8 years old, she was successfully showing her own pony “Sugar Cookie," taking the “Pet Pony Champion” at her second show. Judy continued to compete in local hunter shows in Rhode Island as a pony hunter, in junior equitation, children's hunters and jumpers. As a young adult, Judy worked in the Thoroughbred industry, often galloping race horses at the track and eventually becoming a successful eventing competitor.
Upon graduating from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor's degree in animal science, Judy was employed by Johnson and Wales University as an instructor in their Equine Studies Department where she taught riding as well as giving regular lectures in various equine-related topics.
A wonderful opportunity to lease a barn in New Hampshire became available and she established Windcroft Stables in Madison, NH, Her business grew into a thriving lesson and training facility with an emphasis on eventing and dressage.
It was during this time that Judy met Sue Blinks, one of the nation’s top dressage riders at the time. Sue earned medals at the Olympic Games and FEI World Equestrian Games and through Sue Blinks' education and mentorship, Judy acquired her enduring love of dressage. Sue helped Judy find two foundation dressage warmbloods, Iggy and Livian, which Judy went on to successfully train to Prix St George and Grand Prix. The first of many horses she would take to FEI.
In 1991, Judy established Broad Park Equestrian Center in Gray, Maine. Broad Park was successfully owned, designed and built by Judy to be a full-service board and training facility on 20 acres and housing 28 horses. During this time, she become a United States Dressage Federation (USDF) certified instructor earning her USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals. She credits the foundation knowledge contained in this curriculum, along with exceptional mentoring from Major Anders Lindgren for giving her the next level of training knowledge needed to produce top horses and riders.
Lindgren was an accomplished rider having won the 1971 Swedish Dressage Championship. He was the reserve rider on the Swedish Olympic Team in 1972 and also won the Scandinavian Eventing Championship in 1959. Judy learned from his systematic, structured approach to teaching dressage that helped her learn to become the extraordinarily well-educated instructor she is today.
Judy also spent a great deal of time working with Gunnar Ostergaard, a Danish legend who has trained many horses and riders through Grand Prix, and who had won competitions in Europe, Devon and at the United States Equestrian Team's (USET) Festival of Champions. Gunnar’s incredible education helped Judy take her horse Iggy and several students horses up through Grand Prix. In order to maintain her working relationship with Gunnar, Judy began to winter in Florida so she could continue her own education. Even with a growing national clinic schedule, Judy’s focus on her own elevated education was a priority to be able to offer premier coaching and teaching.
Her next grand prix dressage horse was sponsored by a dedicated group of her students. Judy competed "Lyric" and earned her USDF gold medal and also endeavored to qualify for the 2000 Olympic Games.
Judy next significant mentor for seven years was the famed Karl Mikolka, former chief rider at the Spanish Riding School. His exercises for the training of the horse are known to be unparalleled. Judy's understanding of Mikolka's work is extensive after spending seven years working with him. Her mounts Judy trained with Karl came from many different breeds of horses; Welsh Cobs, Friesians, warmbloods and Iberian horses. His exercises are now an integral part of her training and instruction, giving Judy another layer of understanding and approach on how to school any select breed up the levels of dressage.
In 2002, Judy met Eckart Meyners PhD from Luneburg, Germany through clinician and writer, Jill Hassler Scoop. Eckart’s work in coaching the rider to better position through movement and exercises with the “Balimo” system was a huge influence in Judy’s work and instruction. She studied with Eckart for a number of years being exposed to the German riding academy and introduced to Hannes Muller, head of the instructor certification system for all of Germany. Professor Meyners' work has become a mandatory education component of the German riding school system and she is one of only 15 people worldwide to be certified instructors of the Balimo TM system developed by Meyners. Eckart’s “Balimo” system has since been utilized by Olympic silver medalist Heike Kemmer.
Judy's Current Activities
Judy continues to teach, coach and train as well as clinic throughout the country. She continues with her own education working with the most highly qualified and accomplished trainers and riders in the world including Alfredo Hernandez. a Piaffe/Passage work-in-hand expert. Alfredo has worked with Steffen Peters, Jan Ebling, Leslie Morse, Hilda Gurney and Heather Blitz as well as many other top international riders. Now based in California and Florida, Judy rides regularly with west coast clinicians and instructors that include Gunter Seidel, Kathleen Raine and David Wightman.
“What I love most about teaching is working with people who want to learn. I don’t care what their discipline is or what level the ride at, if they want to learn, I can teach them.”
~ Judy Westlake
“Judy is the ultimate integrator. She is the best kind of instructor – she’s still learning. She brings sound, proven theory, her own keen experiences and an outstanding ability to assess what’s needed to any situation. She then formulates a successful plan for horse and rider to do their very best. She’s truly extraordinary. I’ve ridden with her for 16 years now and every time, I learn, I improve, my horses succeed.”
Dana Butler-Moburg
Executive Director
J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center
Judy Westlake is a gold medal rider and United States Dressage Federation (USDF) certified instructor. Judy's passion to learn has led to a degree in Animal Sciences from The University of Rhode Island and Olympic level dressage instruction from world-renown dressage trainers. Her extensive knowledge comes from pursuing multiple English disciplines, but her knowledge, passion and show records are in the world of dressage.
Biography
Mentored by her equestrienne mother Mary "Pudge" Whitford, Judy started her lifelong equine career at the age of three. By the time Judy was 8 years old, she was successfully showing her own pony “Sugar Cookie," taking the “Pet Pony Champion” at her second show. Judy continued to compete in local hunter shows in Rhode Island as a pony hunter, in junior equitation, children's hunters and jumpers. As a young adult, Judy worked in the Thoroughbred industry, often galloping race horses at the track and eventually becoming a successful eventing competitor.
Upon graduating from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor's degree in animal science, Judy was employed by Johnson and Wales University as an instructor in their Equine Studies Department where she taught riding as well as giving regular lectures in various equine-related topics.
A wonderful opportunity to lease a barn in New Hampshire became available and she established Windcroft Stables in Madison, NH, Her business grew into a thriving lesson and training facility with an emphasis on eventing and dressage.
It was during this time that Judy met Sue Blinks, one of the nation’s top dressage riders at the time. Sue earned medals at the Olympic Games and FEI World Equestrian Games and through Sue Blinks' education and mentorship, Judy acquired her enduring love of dressage. Sue helped Judy find two foundation dressage warmbloods, Iggy and Livian, which Judy went on to successfully train to Prix St George and Grand Prix. The first of many horses she would take to FEI.
In 1991, Judy established Broad Park Equestrian Center in Gray, Maine. Broad Park was successfully owned, designed and built by Judy to be a full-service board and training facility on 20 acres and housing 28 horses. During this time, she become a United States Dressage Federation (USDF) certified instructor earning her USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals. She credits the foundation knowledge contained in this curriculum, along with exceptional mentoring from Major Anders Lindgren for giving her the next level of training knowledge needed to produce top horses and riders.
Lindgren was an accomplished rider having won the 1971 Swedish Dressage Championship. He was the reserve rider on the Swedish Olympic Team in 1972 and also won the Scandinavian Eventing Championship in 1959. Judy learned from his systematic, structured approach to teaching dressage that helped her learn to become the extraordinarily well-educated instructor she is today.
Judy also spent a great deal of time working with Gunnar Ostergaard, a Danish legend who has trained many horses and riders through Grand Prix, and who had won competitions in Europe, Devon and at the United States Equestrian Team's (USET) Festival of Champions. Gunnar’s incredible education helped Judy take her horse Iggy and several students horses up through Grand Prix. In order to maintain her working relationship with Gunnar, Judy began to winter in Florida so she could continue her own education. Even with a growing national clinic schedule, Judy’s focus on her own elevated education was a priority to be able to offer premier coaching and teaching.
Her next grand prix dressage horse was sponsored by a dedicated group of her students. Judy competed "Lyric" and earned her USDF gold medal and also endeavored to qualify for the 2000 Olympic Games.
Judy next significant mentor for seven years was the famed Karl Mikolka, former chief rider at the Spanish Riding School. His exercises for the training of the horse are known to be unparalleled. Judy's understanding of Mikolka's work is extensive after spending seven years working with him. Her mounts Judy trained with Karl came from many different breeds of horses; Welsh Cobs, Friesians, warmbloods and Iberian horses. His exercises are now an integral part of her training and instruction, giving Judy another layer of understanding and approach on how to school any select breed up the levels of dressage.
In 2002, Judy met Eckart Meyners PhD from Luneburg, Germany through clinician and writer, Jill Hassler Scoop. Eckart’s work in coaching the rider to better position through movement and exercises with the “Balimo” system was a huge influence in Judy’s work and instruction. She studied with Eckart for a number of years being exposed to the German riding academy and introduced to Hannes Muller, head of the instructor certification system for all of Germany. Professor Meyners' work has become a mandatory education component of the German riding school system and she is one of only 15 people worldwide to be certified instructors of the Balimo TM system developed by Meyners. Eckart’s “Balimo” system has since been utilized by Olympic silver medalist Heike Kemmer.
Judy's Current Activities
Judy continues to teach, coach and train as well as clinic throughout the country. She continues with her own education working with the most highly qualified and accomplished trainers and riders in the world including Alfredo Hernandez. a Piaffe/Passage work-in-hand expert. Alfredo has worked with Steffen Peters, Jan Ebling, Leslie Morse, Hilda Gurney and Heather Blitz as well as many other top international riders. Now based in California and Florida, Judy rides regularly with west coast clinicians and instructors that include Gunter Seidel, Kathleen Raine and David Wightman.
“What I love most about teaching is working with people who want to learn. I don’t care what their discipline is or what level the ride at, if they want to learn, I can teach them.”
~ Judy Westlake
“Judy is the ultimate integrator. She is the best kind of instructor – she’s still learning. She brings sound, proven theory, her own keen experiences and an outstanding ability to assess what’s needed to any situation. She then formulates a successful plan for horse and rider to do their very best. She’s truly extraordinary. I’ve ridden with her for 16 years now and every time, I learn, I improve, my horses succeed.”
Dana Butler-Moburg
Executive Director
J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center
