Inner Circle Farm-Classical Dressage Training and Communication

Laura Parker
Head Trainer and Barn Owner

As head instructor and barn owner, Laura has 38 years of serious and professional experience in loving and learning with horses. Although currently training horses in FEI work, Laura has been involved since her teens/early twenties as a professional show groom and local stable manager. This led to a position at Pace University, where Laura became the Assistant Director of Riding, and taught as a faculty member until her first child was born. At this point, she was mainly teaching Equitation and coaching the Intercollegiate Team, but remained serious about Dressage and continued studying with two local FEI trainers.

Her love of Dressage encouraged her to focus her Masters Degree from NYU on motor learning and kinesiology, which has greatly benefited her students because of her understanding of the human body in motion. Laura has always enjoyed jumping, and has had some real success in the show ring as an adult equitation rider. After five years with Pace University, Laura took a position as assistant to a local FEI Dressage trainer. Within seven years, Laura had built up a client base, and relocated as a trainer with ten horses to Blue Willow Farm. Having had such excellent instruction herself from classical teachers such as Franz Rochowansky and Eicke van Veltheim influenced her success in the show ring and desire to keep growing as a rider. In addition to Dressage, the study of the Alexander Technique, under its director Thomas Lemens, continued to influence Laura’s holistic approach to classical dressage.

The serious commitment to her work led her family to provide Laura with the financial backing needed to create Inner Circle Farm. After six years of searching for the perfect location, and two more years of intense work and planning, Inner Circle Farm was born. Currently, Laura is fortunate enough to continue the classical influence on her riding under the watchful eye of a Grand Prix trainer of the German system.



		Laura Parker Head Trainer and Barn Owner As head instructor and barn owner, Laura has 38 years of serious and professional experience in loving and learning with horses. Although currently training horses in FEI work, Laura has been involved since her teens/early twenties as a professional show groom and local stable manager. This led to a position at Pace University, where Laura became the Assistant Director of Riding, and taught as a faculty member until her first child was born. At this point, she was mainly teaching Equitation and coaching the Intercollegiate Team, but remained serious about Dressage and continued studying with two local FEI trainers. Her love of Dressage encouraged her to focus her Masters Degree from NYU on motor learning and kinesiology, which has greatly benefited her students because of her understanding of the human body in motion. Laura has always enjoyed jumping, and has had some real success in the show ring as an adult equitation rider. After five years with Pace University, Laura took a position as assistant to a local FEI Dressage trainer. Within seven years, Laura had built up a client base, and relocated as a trainer with ten horses to Blue Willow Farm. Having had such excellent instruction herself from classical teachers such as Franz Rochowansky and Eicke van Veltheim influenced her success in the show ring and desire to keep growing as a rider. In addition to Dressage, the study of the Alexander Technique, under its director Thomas Lemens, continued to influence Laura’s holistic approach to classical dressage. The serious commitment to her work led her family to provide Laura with the financial backing needed to create Inner Circle Farm. After six years of searching for the perfect location, and two more years of intense work and planning, Inner Circle Farm was born. Currently, Laura is fortunate enough to continue the classical influence on her riding under the watchful eye of a Grand Prix trainer of the German system.
		Hans Schmideler Affiliate Trainer Hans lives near Frankfurt, Germany and joins Inner Circle Farm for clinics and training every few months. A true horse lover and professional, Hans has 50 Grand Prix wins in the jumpers with his horses and students. He has a large following of Dressage students competing internationally. Hans has a keen eye for finding the main issue blocking a horses ability to advance physically or emotionally. He can help create a simple positive solution both horse and rider will comprehend. Many of our local professionals such as Catherine McWilliams, Suzanne Handler, Robert Milton, Jayne Marino, and Lisa Pierson have had the privilege of enjoying his tutelage. Hans has the ability to access really fantastic horses in europe for those who desire to purchase any level horse at a truly reasonable price. we have imported two wonderful horses for clients. Hans will take our clients to breeders and professional associates to ride pre-vetted horses that are really suitable for a rider of any level
		Lisa Mikolay Assistant Lisa started riding horses when she was 8 years old. When she was 12 she got her first horse. She joined the local pony club for many years and learned all the aspects of managing and taking care of horses. Lisa loved jumping and competed in hunter/jumper shows and three day events. A talented rider with feel and love for horses, Lisa consistently did well in dressage and eventually decided to focus on dressage exclusively. She became a working student for many FEI level trainers. During this time she rode through third level dressage, taught lessons, and started young horses to saddle. Lisa also loves riding and training young and inexperienced horses. This past summer she started her own three year old horse to saddle.