Nick Handy, a USDF Bronze Medalist, is an Iowa native, and dressage enthusiast. He graduated from Meredith Manor International Equestrian Center with a Riding Master VI certification where he trained with Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett, a competitive FEI rider who has won many awards. After finishing school he toured with the ‘World Famous Lipizzaner Stallion Show’ for 2 years, performing classical dressage throughout the US and Canada. He then toured with the equine-themed show ‘Cavalia’- a renowned performance showcasing horses in multiple disciplines. At Cavalia he worked under world-renowned horse trainers Fredric Pignon and Magali Delgado, performing atop Lusitano stallions, and assisting Magali with her training. His experience at Cavalia also allowed him utilize and learn more about natural horsemanship with horse whisperer Fred Pignon.
Nick’s main focus in teaching is to develop a strong foundation for his students, working with his students on their seats and balance before moving on to advanced work. He feels once this is accomplished, horse and rider will be able to achieve more ease in their work, making upper level work fun and accessible.
After 3 busy years of touring he is excited to return to teaching and looks forward to share his enthusiasm about dressage with others.
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Ila Handy, a USDF Bronze medalist, grew up riding and surrounded by her family’s horses in Northern California and continued to ride after moving to the Northeast, trying a variety of disciplines (western pleasure, jumping, 4H horse activities). She discovered dressage through eventing and was immediatley drawn to the elegance of the sport and the emphasis on harmony between horse and rider.
She rode with Sue Roberto as a working student and became her assistant trainer, and then went on to ride with Christopher Hickey, Volker Bromman and Tom Noone. She graduated suma cum laude from Fitchburg State College with an interdicsiplinary degree in Theatre, Dance and Fine Art and attended Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York, all the while riding and instructing at various stables in Massachusetts and New York. Her passions for performance and dressage led her to perform with the ‘World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions’ and then ‘Cavalia’ for three years.
Ila is a positive, energetic teacher and trainer who loves sharing her passion for dressage. She emphasizes the importance of good basics for riders and their horses. She is a yoga enthusiast and her experience of practicing yoga for six years has greatly influenced her riding, and advocates the use of breath, awareness and balance with her students.
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