Stephanie
Kappes
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USDF Certified Instructor
Advanced Certified ARIA Instructor, Dressage and Eventing
Hello Horse-Enthusiast,
My name is Stephanie Kappes. Growing up in Montana I had a wonderful opportunity to be around horses. My experiences training horses ranged from western pleasure, to show jumping, to endurance, to packing in the mountains. After spending some time in college working towards a teaching degree, I knew I liked teaching, but needed to be more involved with horses.
So I began to search for a career that would allow me to both teach people and continue training horses. I chose Meredith Manor International Equestrian Center for their ability to further my instruction in both Dressage and Natural Horsemanship. Learning to communicate as horses do naturally, combined with the horse and rider development techniques of dressage, provided a wonderful foundation for my career. In addition, they provided the theoretical basis for how humans learn, improving my ability to pass the knowledge on to others.
At Meredith I was the Director of their outside lesson program. Although I could have remained at Meredith as one of their instructors, or go to other Farms around the nation, I chose to come back to the great state of Montana.
Dedicated to teaching both horse and rider, I have continued my education beyond my formal schooling at Meredith. The theory of Classical Dressage is natural horsemanship when applied properly, so I have pursued Classical Dressage for the benefits it can provide in the development of all horses and riders.
I have completed the American Riding Instructor Association's Advanced Certification Program for both Dressage and Eventing and have also become a United States Dressage Federation Certified Instructor.
After the unfortunate death of my Dressage Stallion in 1996, I turned my attention to developing other riders and horses as well as building my own facility. I then began to refocus my competition efforts to eventing where my husband, John, and I have been training young eventers. In 2004, John and his 10 year old Thoroughbred gelding completed their first two Preliminary Courses. We started this gelding as a six year old. John will be competing his new 6 year old Canadian Warmblood at training level in 2005 as well as continuing to compete his Thoroughbred. We had several students compete at Training level this year and many more down through the levels.
In 2000, I had the opportunity to purchase an eighteen month old Swedish Warmblood colt. Over the following two years I trained the colt from the beginning stages of ground work through second level dressage movements. In 2002, I presented this Colt to the Swedish Inspection Team, where he was inspected both in hand and under saddle. His natural ability and correct training process allowed this colt to be approved as a Dressage Stallion for the Swedish registry. In 2003, Bravo and I completed his Eventing Certification requirements. After competing him through 3rd level in Dressage in 2004, I decided to geld him and focus on our competition. In 2005 I plan to compete him in Dressage and Eventing, as well as compete my Seven year old Oldenburg mare.
I love horses and teaching people how to improve their relationships with their horse. I am dedicated to teaching people and training horses in a manner that will improve the levels of trust and communication. My goal is to create Equestrians who can bring joy to themselves and their horses, at what ever level, what ever discipline.
Please let me know if you would like to include me into your journey as an Equestrian, from learning to communicate naturally with your horse through learning the higher levels of horse and rider communication and development with Dressage.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Kappes 
Also see:
Horse-Powers of Stephanie Kappes