Shelly Reichart: Trainer, Coach, Competitor, & Clinician

Shelly began riding at the age of four and started competing in the hunter circuit when she was 7 years old. She changed disciplines after joining the United States Pony Club, becoming an event rider. By 15 years old, she had already found dressage to be her favorite discipline of the three. After winning four National Championship titles (individual and team champion in both 1989 and 1992), she was without a doubt addicted to the sport.

While attending UW-Milwaukee, Shelly became a working student for USDF judge, Jayne Ayers. During this time, Shelly was fortunate enough to work with Conrad Schumacher compliments of the USET Young Riders Program. After obtaining her BS in Business Administration, Shelly packed up her horse, Bravado, and moved to Maine to work for Michael Poulin as a working student. Upon returning home to Wisconsin, Shelly moved to Illinois to work with George Williams at Temple Farms in yet another working student position. With her working student experience behind her, she returned home to Wisconsin and obtained her Masters Degree in Management Information Systems from UW-Milwaukee.

The Horses

Shelly has competed on a variety of horses over the course of her riding career, with each horse teaching her not only about the dressage and schooling movements throughout the levels, but more importantly, about patience and partnerships. She trained the pony she rode to her US Pony Club National titles - Superior Odds (a/k/a "Skipper") through FEI Prix St. Georges. Together they won numerous USDF Young Rider and All Breeds year end awards. Having earned all the required scores from Skipper, Shelly received her USDF Bronze Medal Rider award in 1992.

Her next mount, Bravado, was being ridden Western when he was purchased from a local horse dealer. Shelly and Bravado trained with Kalman DeJurnak and progressed quickly through FEI Prix St. Georges and FEI Intermediare I level competitions earning Shelly her USDF Silver Medal in 2000.

After Bravado's unexpected retirement due to a pinched nerve in his spine, Shelly began riding and training Spencer. Spencer was also being ridden Western when she bought him and he truly looked his breeding: Quarter Horse & Belgium Warmblood. Shelly finally competed Spencer at FEI Grand Prix in 2008. This was certainly a milestone in Shelly's career, as it was the first horse she trained through all the levels. With Spencer, she earned all but one score towards her USDF Gold Medal.

While training Spencer, Shelly purchased Welttaenser (a/k/a "Wally"). Although Wally came to Paradigm Farm to be sold under Shelly's guidance, Shelly quickly realized the potential the Hanoverian gelding had and purchased him for herself. With Wally, Shelly earned her final qualifying score for her USDF Gold Medal in 2008. .