This month, Aviva and Stephany interview Noel Williams of Noel Williams Dressage, based in Maryland. They catch up with what has been going on with each other – Mary Wanless, Maui and an exciting trip coming up (or going down centerline!) for Stephany, and a bittersweet sharing for Aviva. In the Ask the L, they discuss what is needed to have a successful move from Training to First Levels – thanks to Deana for the question!

The daughter of George and Roberta Williams, Noel Williams grew up around classical and high performance dressage. Noel has been riding and competing all of her life with an Olympic Dream at heart. Noel is a USEF “R” Dressage Judge, and is currently in the USEF “r” DSHB Judge’s Program. She has trained and competed numerous horses from young horses to FEI Grand Prix.

Noel is a USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist. A member of the 2007 NAJYRC Silver Medal team (Region 2), and the 2005 USEF Junior Dressage Team Championships Gold Medal, Noel was also the 2005 USEF Junior Dressage National Champion on the Hanoverian stallion Pik L.

Noel aspires to continue her career on the international stage and to represent Team USA in competition. Noel's greatest passion is starting and developing young horses, especially stallions, to campaign them through the CDI levels.

In the interview, Aviva and Stephany get the benefit of Noel’s super humor, her history of riding and her boundless enthusiasm for our sport. It was great getting to know her and her belief system, and we wish her all the best!

Take a listen!

If you like what we are doing, remember to hit the LIKE button, share with your friends and make sure to subscribe!

Our Sponsor this month is KPP Elevate!

Does your performance horse have sore, stiff muscles? Does he lack energy or tire quickly during exercise? Does his competition schedule require travel? Studies show that horses in regular training and those with limited access to pasture often require additional vitamin E. They also show that horses being trailered even short distances can face immunity challenges.

Elevate® natural vitamin E can help. A research-proven, powerful antioxidant, Elevate maintains healthy muscle, nerve, and immune functions. It does this by delivering a highly bioavailable source of natural vitamin E that is preferentially absorbed and retained in a horse’s tissues. For more information, visit KPPusa.com or call 859-873-2974.

Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky (horsepenhillfarm@aol.com) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman (stephanyfish@gmail.com)

Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Guest: Noel Williams of Noel Williams Dressage

Our Sponsor this month: KPP and their product Elevate®

Mentioned in this episode:

Tribute Equine Nutrition

https://www.tributeequinenutrition.com/

Reese and Megan sit down with newly minted FEI 3★ judge Susanne Hamilton to talk about her journey through the Fédération Équestre Internationale system and what it truly takes to reach this prestigious level.

Next, Reese and Megan chat with Aoife Leggett about her work in high performance coaching and breathwork. Aoife breaks down how riders can better manage pressure, regulate their nervous system, and improve performance in and out of the show ring.

GUESTS AND LINKS DRESSAGE EPISODE 789:

• Co-Hosts: Reese Koffler-Stanfield and Megan McIssac | Instagram | Facebook
• Guest: Aoife Leggett - Website | Instagram
• Guest: Susanne Hamilton - Website | Facebook | Instagram
• Book Club: How to Ride the Horse You thought you Bought by Anne Buchanan
• Dressage Radio Show: Website | Facebook
• Please visit our sponsors, who make all this possible: Kentucky Performance Products, & DressageToday+ !

Amy Ekelman, Senior Education Administrative & Programs Coordinator at the USDF, shares the latest news from USDF and highlights educational opportunities. USDF Gold Medal trainer Shannon Warner to talks about heading west for a winter season of training and competition in California. The Dressage Foundation's Judith Noone Volunteer Award recipient Anne Sushko, shares her experiences in the dressage community and what this recognition means to her.

GUESTS AND LINKS DRESSAGE EPISODE 788:

1. Co-Hosts: Reese Koffler-Stanfield and Megan McIssac | Instagram | Facebook
2. Guest: Amy Ekelman, USDF r. Education Administrative & Programs Coordinator - Facebook
3. Guest: Shannon Warner - Facebook
4. Guest: Anne Sushko - Facebook
5. Book Club: How to Ride the Horse You thought you Bought by Anne Buchanan
6. Dressage Radio Show: Website | Facebook
7. Please visit our sponsors, who make all this possible: Kentucky Performance Products, & Horse Radio Network!

This episode dives into the California dressage scene!

We chat with Ashlyn De Groot Dodge about being selected for the Dr. Ulf & Eva Möller Young Horse Symposium and riding her amazing horse Odessa, sharing her experience and key takeaways. Next, McKenzie Milburn talks about her experiences at the symposium and the 2026 USEF Dressage Training Series – West Coast in Del Mar, CA, giving insight into high-level competition and training. Finally, we hear from a high-performance rider Rebecca Rigdon on organizing, riding, and everything involved in the Young Horse Symposium, offering a behind-the-scenes look at being super woman!

GUESTS AND LINKS DRESSAGE EPISODE 788:

1. Co-Hosts: Reese Koffler-Stanfield and Megan McIssac | Instagram | Facebook
2. Guest: Ashlyn De Groot Dodge - Facebook | Instagram
3. Guest: Mckenzie Milborn - Facebook | Instagram
4. Guest: Rebecca Rigdon- Website | Facebook
5. Book Club: How to Ride the Horse You thought you Bought by Anne Buchanan
6. Dressage Radio Show: Website | Facebook
7. Please visit our sponsors, who make all this possible: Kentucky Performance Products, DressageToday+, & USRider!

In this month’s episode, Stephany and Aviva interview their first Hometown Hero, Anne Mouen Stahl. With more than forty years of experience teaching both amateur and professional riders, Anne has come to appreciate the profound importance of establishing a strong, reliable foundation in every rider’s training. She has been fortunate to train horses and riders through every level of dressage, from Training Level to Grand Prix. This breadth of experience has given her a deep understanding of how to guide riders in the correct execution of dressage exercises as they advance—from the early education of the young horse to the refined work required of the elite dressage athlete.

Anne has a wide background of Dressage education, from riding at Morven Park International Equestrian Center after college to working with various trainers at Tempel Lippizans to her favorite mentor Juan Matute, and has a deep love of bringing horses of all types along, whether they were the typical or atypical horse for Dressage. She uses a progressive, gymnastic approach to developing the dressage horse allows riders to gain a clear and lasting understanding of the fundamental principles of training under her careful systematic training.

We enjoyed getting to know Anne, and we thank Nancy Gilby for submitting her as her hero!

Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky (horsepenhillfarm@aol.com) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman (stephanyfish@gmail.com)

Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Guest: Anne Mouen Stahl, Rosehill Dressage

Link: Video Subscription Site

Link: Kentucky Performance Products

Our Sponsor this month: KPP and their product Elevate®

Mentioned in this episode:

Tribute Equine Nutrition

https://www.tributeequinenutrition.com/

This month, we are bringing back an older interview from Stephanie Ruff and Aviva, where they interviewed Chelsey Canedy. The reason we are revisiting this interview is that Chelsey has a new book out, and we are looking forward to getting her BACK on the podcast to talk to us about her latest book. We thought it would be great for people to hear her original story so they could be up to date when we interview her later this year. Whether you heard it on the original interview or this is your first time hearing about Chelsey, we hope you enjoy this podcast! As always, if you enjoy the content we put out, please subscribe, hit the like button and share with your friends!

We have received a few more L questions, but please keep them coming! You can submit L questions to Stephany or Aviva at any of their social media handles listed below!

Dressage Today S7 E1 Show Notes:

Connect with the Hosts: Email Aviva Nebesky (horsepenhillfarm@aol.com) | Email Stephany Fish Crossman (stephanyfish@gmail.com) | Plus, look them both up on Facebook!

Connect with the Show: Website (DressageToday.com) | Socials (@DressageToday) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Guest: Chelsey Canedy

Link: TDF Auction

Link: Video Subscription Site

Today's Episode Brought to You By: Equestrian+

Mentioned in this episode:

Tribute Equine Nutrition

https://www.tributeequinenutrition.com/

Reese and Megan kick off the show with a Florida season update and a conversation with Genay Vaughn to talk about her and Gino’s personal-best performances in the CDI 5*. Genay shares insight into their preparation, mindset, and what it means to achieve top results at the highest level of the sport. Reese and Megan chat with Hannah Irons about her experience riding in the FEI Trainers Conference at High Meadow Farm, led by Olympic gold medalist Heike Kemmer and renowned judge Christof Umbach. Hannah reflects on the education, atmosphere, and value of learning from world-class horsemen. Hannah also recapped the wildly successful master class featuring dressage legends Kyra Kyrklund, Catherine Dufour, and Jan Brink. They discuss key takeaways, rider impact, and what made this educational event such a standout.

GUESTS AND LINKS DRESSAGE EPISODE 786:

1. Co-Hosts: Reese Koffler-Stanfield and Megan McIssac | Instagram | Facebook
2. Guest: Genay Vaughn: Website | Facebook | Instagram
3. Guest: Hannah Irons: Website | Facebook | Instagram
4. Book Club: How to Ride the Horse You thought you Bought by Anne Buchanan
5. Dressage Radio Show: Website | Facebook
6. Please visit our sponsors, who make all this possible: Kentucky Performance Products, & My New Horse.
7. Advertise on Horse Radio Network Podcasts!