Maryland Trainers at Advanced Level

[Life is an Event]

I am looking for an eventing trainer that has "successfully" competed at the Advanced level. I want the experience of someone who has ridden and completed at least five Advanced horse trials and preferably on more than one horse. Does anyone have any suggestions for someone with these qualifications anywhere in the state of Maryland?

[retreadeventer]

I believe Mogie Bearden-Muller fits that criteria, she is located in Centreville, MD. She is ICP Level III and competed advanced to my knowledge at least a couple of seasons and probably more than what I know.
You can pm me for her email or phone number if you'd like. Can I ask what this is for?

[bornfreenowexpensive]

There are several but where in Maryland are you looking?.....honestly, those strike me as odd requirements. Something I would expect from someone who is new to riding/eventing etc. Most riders at the level that need someone with UL experience....know who the good trainers are and where to find them.

[asterix]

agree with bornfree -- this is sort of an odd way to pick an instructor, if that's what you are doing...if you could tell us what YOU are trying to accomplish, and where, we can probably give you better input...

[luvmyguinnypiggy]

Odd question, the first person that comes to mind Gayle Molander, who has won at Rolex. Upperco MD. Sometimes she teaches sometimes no.

[Caroline Weber]

honestly, those strike me as odd requirements.

I think she is probably looking for an instructor with honest experience at Advanced rather than someone who got around a few Advanced HTs on a packer (relatively speaking - Advanced is Advanced, and not easy). Just a way to try to quantify it, I suppose.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

I think she is probably looking for an instructor with honest experience at Advanced rather than someone who got around a few Advanced HTs on a packer (relatively speaking - Advanced is Advanced, and not easy). Just a way to try to quantify it, I suppose.


yeah...but if you needed an instructor with Adv. level experience....you'd know who they are.


It comes across like a rider who is far from even riding at Prelim....thinking that the only good instructor is one with lots of Adv. level experience. When we all know that isn't who you need to be riding with to initially get the solid basis a rider needs. You rarely train with the same instructor for your entire riding career. My point was if you are at a level that really requires you to ride with a trainer with Adv. level experience (and who is also a good trainer)....well, then you would already know who those people are and where they are located (and you probably wouldn't be limiting yourself to just Maryland). The eventing world is a very small community.....especially at those levels.


If the OP is looking for someone of that level to send a horse to bring along (hoping to have it brought to that level)....well then that is a bit different....

[linquest]

...or they could just be new to the area.

[wookie]

ok.. i just read this thread out of curiousity. don't dissect the poor op's reasons. just answer it. who cares why she/he wants those requirements..may be they are trying to be politically correct unlike others. lordy.. why does everything need to be picked apart..had to vent..seems like some have too much time on their hands.
to the op...if you get a name you can do a rider search on the eventing website and see where they have competed and how they have done. good luck! you are in a great area with tons of talent.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

ok.. i just read this thread out of curiousity. don't dissect the poor op's reasons. just answer it. who cares why she/he wants those requirements..may be they are trying to be politically correct unlike others. lordy.. why does everything need to be picked apart..had to vent..seems like some have too much time on their hands.
to the op...if you get a name you can do a rider search on the eventing website and see where they have competed and how they have done. good luck! you are in a great area with tons of talent.


only because I know some of the people personally and I don't want to send a wack job (or reporter or lawyer) their way. If I'm wrong...sorry OP. You have gotten some names already and good luck.

[Life is an Event]

I believe Mogie Bearden-Muller fits that criteria. Can I ask what this is for?


Thank you, Retread. I am already going Prelim and have some very strong horses that I believe have the scope for Intermediate and maybe even Advanced. I have a good trainer, but would like to get a second opinion on my horses and which ones I should keep and then what I should do to sell the others. This isn't the greatest market you know. I trust who I work with, but would like to expand my education by working with others as well.

I know plenty of people think their trainers are the greatest and tell me they are advanced eventers. However, when I look up their records, these people have only "dabbled" at any level above Prelim. I am not saying they are not good trainers, I just have very specific qualifications I am looking for at the moment.

This board is getting ridiculous as far as second guessing or thinking people have ulterior motives in posting. Is there some type of qualification test or initiation I have to go through to join?

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Thank you, Retread. I am already going Prelim and have some very strong horses that I believe have the scope for Intermediate and maybe even Advanced. I have a good trainer, but would like to get a second opinion on my horses and which ones I should keep and then what I should do to sell the others. This isn't the greatest market you know. I trust who I work with, but would like to expand my education by working with others as well.

I know plenty of people think their trainers are the greatest and tell me they are advanced eventers. However, when I look up their records, these people have only "dabbled" at any level above Prelim. I am not saying they are not good trainers, I just have very specific qualifications I am looking for at the moment.

This board is getting ridiculous as far as second guessing or thinking people have ulterior motives in posting. Is there some type of qualification test or initiation I have to go through to join?

nope but if you had written exactly what you just did....no one would have questioned you other than to suggest you expand where you look to PA and VA....you will have a far larger selection of good people to chose from.

Most of the people you are asking about are south or about to head south until March. Some, like Steven Bradley are in VA but I know do very regular clinics in MD even in the winter. So does Jimmy Wofford. If you want an honest opinion on whether your horse has the scope for Adv.....I'd probably ride with Jimmy and ask him. If I have a going horse to sell....I'd call Phillip or Boyd or Buck (all are South for the winter). Or honestly....I have sold all but one of mine as show jumpers so I contact folks in that world. If you are fine with waiting until folks get back.....and willing to treck to either PA or VA....there are a ton of options. Hell...I treck down to VA from PA for the right lesson.....it is only a few hours.

[scubed]

Depending where in Maryland, Sally Cousins obviously comes to mind, especially since she brings many of hers up through the levels. Maryland is potentially a small enough state that you may be doing yourself a disservice by not considering all the top riders in Virginia or Pennsylvania. Also, somone like Gretchen Butts that might not quite fill your riding criteria, but given that she is also a judge and spends a lot of time looking at top horses all over the country, might have a better "eye" for what will make an upper level horse.

[yellowbritches]

Keep in mind that if you use the USEA's rider results search, it will only show you the last two years' worth of results. I can think of about 6 or 8 names of decent to GOOD riders and coaches in MD that may not have an impressive record show up on USEA, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't be able to give you the advice, guidance, etc that you are looking for. Gretchen is one of them. The trainer I work for is another...and, sadly, because he typically holds to the theory "sell the best and ride the rest" his recent record doesn't look as good as it should. I would highly recommend at least chatting awhile with whoever before coming to any conclusions. Keep in mind that just because someone isn't CURRENTLY riding at the upper levels, that does not mean they aren't very knowledgeable of the sport.

If you want the name and info of my boss, just send me a pm.

[Life is an Event]

Keep in mind that if you use the USEA's rider results search, it will only show you the last two years' worth of results. I can think of about 6 or 8 names of decent to GOOD riders and coaches in MD that may not have an impressive record show up on USEA, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't be able to give you the advice, guidance, etc that you are looking for. Gretchen is one of them. The trainer I work for is another...and, sadly, because he typically holds to the theory "sell the best and ride the rest" his recent record doesn't look as good as it should. I would highly recommend at least chatting awhile with whoever before coming to any conclusions. Keep in mind that just because someone isn't CURRENTLY riding at the upper levels, that does not mean they aren't very knowledgeable of the sport.

If you want the name and info of my boss, just send me a pm.


This is exactly why I am asking on this board. I don't care if someone is a BNT, I just want to find someone that knows what they are talking about and won't sugarcoat. I am well aware of the BNTs in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Where I live, everything east of Frederick in Maryland is within two hours from my farm. By coming to this board, I was hoping I could find some less well known, but still highly qualified names.

At this point the lists includes:
Mogie Bearden-Muller
Gayle Molander
Gretchen Butts

[NeverTime]

If you are west of Frederick, how about Sharon White in W.Va.? She's awesome. Are you looking for yourself or for a younger family member?

[Life is an Event]

If you are west of Frederick, how about Sharon White in W.Va.? She's awesome. Are you looking for yourself or for a younger family member?

I'm in Davidsonville and looking for myself. I am happy with my current trainer, but think it would be good to expand my circle a bit. Sharon is just a bit out of my way, especially if there is any traffic. That's why I don't really want to look in Virginia. I think Sally Cousins is great and may consider working with her later this year.

[Meredith Clark]

I'm in Davidsonville and looking for myself. I am happy with my current trainer, but think it would be good to expand my circle a bit. Sharon is just a bit out of my way, especially if there is any traffic. That's why I don't really want to look in Virginia. I think Sally Cousins is great and may consider working with her later this year.

Who do you train with in this area? I live like 5 mins from you (I do NOT fit your criteria nor am a trainer in anyway!) There are a lot of trainers in this area that are going south for the winter if you wanted to send your horses to be evaluated, and also Phillip D's place is only about 2hrs away and IMO you don't get much better than that.

[Eventingjunkie]

Marty Morani is located close by in Lothian. He has done a great job training my daughter and our horses.

[KateDB]

Life - Sharon regularly teaches in Maryland, as well.
Feel free to call or email.

[Jleegriffith]

I will second Mogie Bearden as I have started riding with her since she moved to the east coast and I honestly have to say she has taken more time to fill in any holes that either my horses or I have than anybody else has. Very much attention to detail, honesty and tough without being nasty about it. She focuses on flatwork where many of the Bnt's I have ridden with really don't. I feel like I could really get somewhere working with her as she lays out a plan for each horse and gives me extensive amount of homework in between. I also like that she does not hesitate to get on a horse or try something unconventional if needed. I have ridden with many of the trainers listed and I am in Delaware so I generally look within the 2 hr travel radius.

Good luck.

[elizabeth Callahan]

Kim Meier

[CapitolDesign]

Why can't you ask your current trainer and be honest that you are missing something. They will find out anyway, so you might as well use their expertise for recommendations or where to look... and you won't burn bridges with them.

Perhaps I am misunderstanding the OP, but it seems like this will keep you on the good side of the trainer you want to keep riding with.

[ottb4u]

As a former student of Gayle Molander's, she is absolutely wonderful as a person, competitor, trainer, and instructor. I only wish I were an hour's drive! Her record speaks for itself.

[juliet]

Here is link.

http://www.usea2.net/ads/index.php

[juliet]

http://useventing.com/education.php?id=34

[RiverBendPol]

If you don't want sugar coating, you want Sally Cousins or Kim Meier! They are fabulous. They've also been around all the Adv. courses.

[ladyj79]

As you're in Davidsonville looking for another advanced level trainer, I presume you currently ride with Steuart Pittman?

[Highflyer]

I really like Sally Cousins, and although she is in PA she teaches in MD regularly except when she's in Aiken--although if you're west of Frederick, I think she also teaches in the Harrisburg area which may be closer.

[DefyingGravityEventing]

Colleen Rutledge. Amazing and affordable. Turnabout Farm in Mt. Airy, MD