Maribeth riding Escarpa

Maribeth riding Jedulon, a young Andalusian gelding in Ocala, Florida.

 

Maribeth Dunlap has been a horsewoman for more than 35 years. She is a successful dressage trainer, competitor, instructor, and clinician, with emphasis given to the classical dressage principles, and has gained a reputation for good horsemanship and skillful riding by achieving repeated successes with many different horses.

Coming from a western riding background as a youth, and a jumping background through her teens and twenties, Maribeth has a wealth of experiences to draw from. Her training shows in her horses confident, willing attitudes as well as their physical development and performance. Horses trained by Maribeth have a high degree of rideability while also being developed to the best of their athletic abilities. 

Maribeth's training experience comes from many different instructors and clinicians over the years yet all have maintained the same priority and goal of the correct development of the horse. Trainers that have encouraged Maribeth and helped her along the way include Paul Belasik, Dr. Thomas Ritter, Jill Hassler-Scoop, Paula Kierkegaard, Fred Weber, and Cathy Morelli.

Maribeth is a gifted teacher. Encouraged and mentored by Jill Hassler-Scoop, Maribeth believes that riding, teaching and training is a life journey in which one is always growing and learning. Maribeth began her teaching journey as a ski instructor at Vail, Colorado, in the early 1980's and became a dressage instructor at the urgings of Jill Hassler-Scoop in the late 1990's. Jill mentored her in her first year as an instructor and she also went on to get her ARIA certification in 2000 in Level II Dressage and Hunt Seat.

Maribeth regularly competes with her horses throughout the levels of dressage and has achieved many successes.  She is currently working towards her Silver Medal and Silver Freestyle Bar.

Her Dressage Achievements include:

  • USDF Bronze Medal

  • USDF Bronze Freestyle Bar

  • USDF Rider Performance Award Second Level

  • USDF Rider Performance Award First Level

  • USDF Rider Performance Award Training Level

  • Adequan/USDF Musical Freestyle Award 2010 First Level Reserve Champion

About Maribeth

My Approach

"The process of training is the most rewarding aspect of my work. Seeing a horse develop greater sensitivity, balance, relaxation, confidence, and expression in its movements is ultimately the goal of any training program, whether the horse is working towards a grand prix dressage test or towards successfully negotiating a hunter course. I believe that a well-schooled horse is one that has a solid foundation in dressage, can safely jump small obstacles, and is safe to hack cross-country. Using the foundation of the classic training principles, I use a system of training with our horses that one step builds upon the next. I suggest, test, explore and seek cooperation, always reinforcing positive efforts which build confidence in the horse. The horse enjoys his work, becoming more beautiful and proud, and becomes a trusted and treasured partner.

Equally rewarding for me is helping a rider to grow and accomplish personal riding goals. I enjoy the teaching process with those who are eager to learn. The hard work must be done by the student, but I enjoy guiding, supporting, and showing the way. Being able to help build a solid partnership that is based upon knowledge, understanding, compassion, kindness and respect, between the rider and the horse, is the greatest reward. I love what I do."

~Maribeth Dunlap

Dream it

A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work. All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. Yesterday is but today's memory, and tomorrow is today's dream. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.

Maribeth & Milano

Build it

There is one timeless way of building. It is a thousand years old, and the same today as it has ever been. The great traditional buildings of the past, the villages and tents and temples in which man feels at home, have always been made by people who were very close to the center of this way.