Laurie Hedlund

Laurie Hedlund is a positive, encouraging, and highly accomplished teacher and clinician with 38 years of professional experience in the equine industry. An FEI trainer, competitor, and USDF Medalist, she is also a USDF 4th Level Certified Instructor/Trainer, a USDF “L” Graduate with Distinction, a Dressage Foundation graduate, and a graduate of equine massage therapy school. Laurie spent more than 30 years studying under Dressage Master Alf Athenstaedt, a distinguished student of Willi Schultheis and Hans Irbinger of the Spanish Riding School. She is deeply committed to the classical principles of dressage, developing balanced horses that work in harmony through clear, systematic, and empathetic training focused on lightness, confidence, and communication. Laurie is also highly accomplished in Western Dressage as a WDAA Grand Champion, multiple‑time World Title holder, and WDAA Train the Trainers graduate. She brings her classical foundation to Western Dressage, helping riders build true horsemanship rooted in trust, softness, and balance through a progressive, horse‑centered approach.