KATIE'S EQUINE BACKGROUND
2020 - USEF 'r' Dressage Judge, Licensed Official
2019 - USEA Future Event Horse/ Young Event Horse (FEH/YEH) Judge
2017 - Present - Owner, Trainer & Instructor of Dragonfly Farm, Williston, FL
2012 - USHJA (Untied States Hunter/Jumper Association), Certified Trainer
2012 - USDF Silver Medalist
2010-2012 - Head Trainer Far Meadow Farm Morris, CT (Facility closing May 31,2012)
2004 - United States Eventing Association certified instructor Level III, (through Preliminary CIC*).
2004 - Massachusetts licensed instructor #4510. Fully insured.
2004 - 2006 - Consultant for the reconstruction and development of barns & cross-country courses, for Town Hill Farm in Lakeville, CT. Organizer of their USEA schooling and sanctioned competitions
2000 - Present - Owner, Trainer & Instructor of Dragonfly Farm, Sandisfield, MA
1997 - Chelsea Equestrian Center New York, NY. Responsible for the evaluation and purchasing of 34 horses of varied levels and disciplines for Chelsea's school horse program.
1993 - Graduated with Distinction From the United States Dressage Federation "L" Judging program. 2009 & 2014 Revisited "L" program.
1989 - Present- Shannon Equine Imports, Importation and sales of Quality Irish Sport Horses. Partner Linda Downes-Creegh Kilrush, County Clare Ireland
1983 - 1997 - Owner,Instructor,Trainer & Manager of Still River Farm, Winsted, CT 24-Horse Dressage & Eventing facility, offering training, boarding and instruction. Competed in Dressage through Prix St. Georges, schooled through Grand Prix. Founded Mad River Pony Club. Joint D.C. Lakeville Pony Club.
1981 - 1983 - Manager/Trainer of Mountain Valley Ranch, Sharon, CT (division of Mountain Valley Equestrian Centre, South Britain, CT). Responsible for the care, training and showing of young Hunter/Jumper prospects. Managed the breeding and foaling of Thoroughbred and Warmblood mares as well as handling and breaking of foals.
1980 - Present - Freelance instructor, Trainer & Judge (USDF"L"). Several students have gone on to the USCTA Young Riders, USDF Junior Young Riders Championships, United States Pony Club through upper levels, as well as many adult riders beginner- FEI.
1979 - 1981 - Operated lesson/training facility in Ashley Falls, MA, specializing in Dressage & Eventing.
1973 - 1979 - Member of the Whip & Willow Pony Club, Great Barrington, MA. USPC "B", Competed through Preliminary level in Eventing.
1968 - 1973 - Student of Emerson Burr at the Fairfield County Hunt Club, Fairfield, CT
Equitation divisions: Short Stirrup through Mini Medal.
MORE ABOUT KATIE ROCCO
Specializing in Dressage and Eventing, Katie has a commitment to all horse and rider combinations and disciplines by building positive connections with horse and rider. She helps to develop partnerships rather than dictatorships, based within an encouraging and enjoyable teaching environment. Her process is based in classical Dressage training techniques, combined with a series of systematic exercises that build the understanding of correct balance and harmony. Whatever goals riders have with their horses, Katie helps them gain better connection and feel by removing confusion, frustration, tension and resistance.
Katie began riding over fifty years ago on a Shetland pony, and moved on to ride in equitation and hunter shows, joined Pony Club and started eventing in her teens. She managed several equine facilities during the late 70's and early 80's where she was responsible for mare foaling, breaking, training, showing of young horses and instructing.
In 1983, Katie and her husband Doug bought their first farm in Colebrook, Connecticut. There, they cleared the land and built their farm from scratch. They boarded, trained and gave lessons in Dressage and Eventing. Katie traveled around the Northeast with students and horses competing at Dressage shows and events. In the mid 1980s Katie became more and more involved in Dressage and went on to compete through Prix St. Georges, and trained and schooled through Grand Prix. Several of Katie's students went on to compete and win at dressage and eventing championships.
Katie, Doug and their daughter moved to Sandisfield, Massachusetts in 1993, to a 95-acre farm they leased and then purchased in 2000. Dragonfly Farm and offers an outdoor all weather rubber dressage arena, cross country schooling fences, show jumping field and miles of trails and dirt roads for conditioning and pleasure. The farm offers workshops and clinics for both juniors and adults, consisting of a universal teaching system that crosses and breaks down the barriers within the individual disciplines of riding.
In 1993 Katie became a USDF L Graduate with Distinction and in January 2020 passed the USEF 'r' program to become a Licensed Official. In 2004 she became an USEA ICP Level III Certified instructor (through Preliminary CIC*) with the United States Eventing Association. She teaches, offers clinics and coaching at local dressage shows and events. In 2011 she became a USHJA(United States Hunter, Jumper Association) Certified Trainer.
Katie competed her Dutch Warmblood mare La Kennedy at Fourth level and Prix St. Georges. The pair achieved their USDF Silver Medal in 2012.
