Judy on Bolero EF winning 4th Level test 2 Oct 2017
Judy Westlake
Judy Westlake is a USDF Gold, Silver and Bronze 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.
The Beginnings
Mentored by her equestrienne mother Mary "Pudge" Whitford, Judy started her life long 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
Judy in her eventing days, on her TB Kidron Valley
The Dressage Focus
Judy at White Fences winning with Norton at 3rd Level
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.
Judy on Iggy winning the Region 8 Prix St George Championships
The Education Continues
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 the USDF Certification 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. This is where she was first introduced to Long Lining and working horses in hand.
Judy on Iggy winning Prix St George at GMHA
Judy also spent many years as a regular student of Gunnar Ostergaard, a Danish legend who has trained many horses and riders through Grand Prix, and who had won competitions in Europe, and the United States. 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 to her students.
and teaching to her students.
Judy on Lyric winning the Grand Prix at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby
The FEI Winning Begins !
Her next grand prix dressage horse was sponsored by a dedicated group of her students. Judy competed Lyric at Grand Prix and earned her USDF Gold Medal and also endeavored to qualify for the 2000 Olympic Games.
Judy, Iggy and Reiner Klimke
|
 Judy and Iggy winning the Region 8 USDF Intermediare 2 Championships
With the help of Gunnar Ostergaard, Judy and Iggy were able to win the USDF Regional Prix St George Championships and the USDF Regional Intermediare 2 Championships. As well as many local and regional wins. They were also chosen to be Demos at Intermediare 1 for the Reiner Klimke Symposium in Maryland. Judy and Iggy continued on to Grand Prix. after a success run at that level, Iggy became a schoolmaster for an FEI Young Rider and also helped other Students of Judy's earn their Silver Medals. |
The Success Continues
Judy continued to develop horses and riders with great success. An opportunity with work with The Spanish Riding School master, Karl Mikolka, expanded her training and teaching knowledge to another level. His timing and gymnastic exercises revolutionized Judy's teaching and training. With his help, she developed more FEI horses and students.
Judy's long time student Barbara West earned her USDF Gold Medal on her horse, Cannonball, that Judy trained to Grand Prix. She also brought along sales horses, including Delamere, who with Judy, was high score at 2nd and 3rd level for the GMHA and UNH competitions. And she had a wonderful opportunity to show Daniel DG Prix St George in White Fences.
Judy horse shopping in Finland
In 2002, Judy met Eckart Meyners, Kinesiologist PHD from Lunenburg, Germany through Jill Hassler Scoop. Eckart's work in coaching the rider to improve their position and coordination through Kinesthetic exercises was a huge influence in Judy's work and instruction. She studied with Eckart and traveled to Germany to work with Hannes Muller at The German Riding School. The "Balimo" System that Eckart developed has become an integral part of the training of Germany's riders.
Clinics Galore!
The Infinity Farm crew, where Judy teaches regular clinics, collecting their year end awards from MDS, Congratulations to all!
With the increase in clinic demand and traveling to Florida for the winters, Judy decided to dedicate herself solely on her teaching and training and decided to sell Broad Park Equestrian Center. Her clinics brought her regularly to California, PA,FL and throughout New England. She has had many successful students, check out her LATEST NEWS page to keep up with their successful stories
Also check out Judy's Clinic Schedule for the next time she is in your area.
Also check out Judy's Clinic Schedule for the next time she is in your area.
Schooling Logan, owned by Dana Butler Moburg, in CA
Heading West!
2014 saw another big change for Judy. She had established a growing clinic clientele in California for many years and was offered an opportunity by The J.F. Shea Theraputic Riding Center to become their "in house" clinician. This has given Judy the ability to have a beautiful facility to consistently develop students and train horses in Southern California. Her very successful Westlake Dressage clientele can be followed in her Latest News Page and on Facebook. Judy continues to fly east now, keeping her east coast contingent happy with monthly clinics.
Judy schooling Tango, owned by Nicki Lucas
The Westlake Dressage ladies enjoying an evening out, thanks to Terry Johnsen
