Katie Rocco/Dragonfly Farm

EQUINE BACKGROUND:

Present- Owner, Trainer & Instructor of Dragonfly Farm, Sandisfield, MA.

Massachusetts licensed instructor #4510. Fully insured.

2004 United States Eventing Association certified instructor Level II, (through Preliminary CIC*).

1993-Graduated with Distinction From the United States Dressage Federation "L" Judging program. 2009 revisited "L" program with plans to go on for USEF "r".

First Aid and CPR Certified

1997-Present- Freelance instructor, Trainer & Judge (USDF"L"). Several students have gone on to the USCTA Young Riders, USDF Junior Young Riders Championships, United States Pony Club through upper levels, as well as many adult riders beginner- FEI.

2005-06 - Consultant for the reconstruction and development of barns & cross-country courses, for Town Hill Farm in Lakeville, CT. Organizer of their USEA schooling and sanctioned competitions

1997-Chelsea Equestrian Center New York, NY. Responsible for the evaluation and purchasing of 34 horses of varied levels and disciplines for Chelsea?s school horse program.

1988-Present- Shannon Equine Imports, Importation and sales of Quality Irish Sport Horses. Partner Linda Downes-Creegh Kilrush, County Clare Ireland

1983-1997-Owner,Instructor,Trainer & Manager of Still River Farm, Winsted, CT 24-Horse Dressage & Eventing facility, offering training, boarding and instruction. Competed in Dressage through Prix St. Georges, schooled through Grand Prix. Founded Mad River Pony Club. Joint D.C. Lakeville Pony Club.

1981-1983- Manager/Trainer of Mountain Valley Ranch, Sharon, CT (division of Mountain Valley Equestrian Centre, South Britain, CT). Responsible for the care, training and showing of young Hunter/Jumper prospects. Managed the breeding and foaling of Thoroughbred and Warmblood mares as well as handling and breaking of foals.

1979-1981-Operated lesson/training facility in Ashley Falls, MA, specializing in Dressage & Eventing.

1973-1979 Member of the Whip & Willow Pony Club, Great Barrington, MA. USPC "B", Competed through Preliminary level in Eventing.

1968-1973 Student of Emerson Burr at the Fairfield County Hunt Club, Fairfield, CT

Equitation divisions: Short Stirrup through Mini Medal.

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

While specializing in dressage and eventing, Katie's commitment is to all horse/rider combinations and disciplines by building a positive connection with horse and rider,  developing  partnerships rather than  dictatorships, all based within an encouraging and enjoyable teaching environment. 

The process is based on classical dressage training techniques combined with series of systematic exercises that build the understanding of creating correct balance and harmony.  What ever your goal is with your horse this process takes the confusion and frustration out of gaining a better connection and feel, with out the over use of aggressive aids that create tension and resistance.

Katie has been riding horses for more than forty years, starting with a Shetland pony, moving on to ride in equitation/ hunter shows, then to Pony Club and evented in her teens.  She managed several equine facilities during the late 70's early 80's, being responsible for, foaling of mares, breaking, training and showing of young horses as well teaching. 

In 1983 Katie and her husband Doug bought their first farm in Colebrook, Connecticut.  Here they cleared the land and built their farm from scratch. They boarded, trained and gave lessons in Dressage and eventing.  Katie traveled around the Northeast with students and horses competing at dressage shows and events.   In the mid-eightys Katie became more and more involved in Dressage and went on to compete through Prix St. Georges level and trained and schooled through Grand Prix.  Several of Katie's students went on to compete and win at Dressage and eventing Championships. 

In 1993 Katie became an USDF L Graduate judge, (www.usdf.org )with distinction and regularly judges through out the Northeast region. She is currently re auditing the "L" program in preparation for entering the USEF "r" judging program in the next couple of years. 

Katie, Doug and their daughter Cailin moved to Sandisfield, Massachusetts in 1993 to a 95 acre farm they leased and then purchased in 2000.  The farm became Dragonfly Farm and offers outdoor dressage arena, cross country schooling fences, show jumping field and miles and miles of trails and dirt roads for conditioning and pleasure. The farm offers  workshops and clinics for both juniors and adults, consisting of a  universal teaching system that crosses and breaks down the barriers with in the individual disciplines of riding.  

In 2004 Katie became an ICP Level II Certified instructor (USEA United States Eventing Association)http://www.useventing.com (through Preliminary CIC*) .  She teaches at her farm, offers clinics, and coaches at local dressage shows and events .

Other Information:

Katie and Doug, since 1988 have designed and manufactured copper wrapped mailboxes and copper/cedar signs, visit our site at: www.stillriverdesigns.com. Doug races formula Continental Race cars in SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) races.  For three years has held the Northeast Championship title for Formula Continental.  Doug races at such tracks as Lime Rock Park, Road America, Watkins Glen and New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Their daughter, Cailin, is a B Pony Clubber, competes at the Preliminary level in eventing, 1st Level dressage and attends Bryant University in Smithfield Rhode Island as a Advertising and Marketing Major with a double Minor in Communication and French.  Cailin also works with Katie at Dragonfly Farm, training and schooling competition and sales horses.