Hassler Dressage At Riveredge

Diverse Horsemanship Strengthens Hassler's Background

Scott Hassler has one of the most diverse backgrounds of today's respected horsemen in the U.S. He grew up eventing and competing open show jumpers through the Intermediate and the mini-Prix levels. As a teenager, he rode for the early Holsteiner organization in the U.S., preparing horses for auction and sale.  Scott won numerous Junior/Young Rider titles, one year winning a national title with the USDF and the USEA on the same horse.  Scott also had the experience of competing internationally as a member of a Four-in-Hand driving team, competing both in Donaueschingen, Germany and Appledoorn, Netherlands.

After his young rider years, Scott dedicated himself completely to the sport of dressage and the passion of warmblood breeding. He spent two-and-a-half years training under the late great master Herbert Rehbein at the famous Groenwohldhof, near Hamburg, Germany. There, he dedicated himself to studying the other warmblood breeds and understanding the connection between breeding and sport. He finished two stallions to Grand Prix during these years and competed in German national shows.

Expert Advice from the Best

Since then, Scott has trained and developed over twelve horses to Grand Prix, making his life's tally well over twenty five. He was on the USET's Short List with two horses and was finalist with both for the Pan American Games Selection in 1995.

Scott continued his development as a rider under notable trainers Harry Boldt and Michael Klimke, among others.  Since 1998, Scott has been honored as one of the few Americans who is a member of the International Trainers Club. 

In 2004, Scott conducted the USDF National Training Symposium along with Steffen Peters and Christoff Hess. Scott took on the Young Horse Development and Breeding section of the program, which highlighted his recent accomplishment in coaching his wife Susanne to the highest placed finish by any American at the FEI World Championships for Young Horses.

Scott Hassler - National Young Dressage Horse Coach

For many years, Scott has dedicated his time to national bodies in order to make a difference. Currently, for the United States Equestrian Federation, he is a member of the Dressage Committee and the Breeding Committee. For the USDF, Scott chairs the Sporthorse Committee. His leadership has helped bring about such critical developments as the sport/breeding related record-keeping system now active in the USDF and USEF. Scott is frequently asked to contribute to special projects by the national bodies, which he often accepts in order to give back to the sport.

In 2005, Scott was appointed our National Young Dressage Horse Coach and Trainer by the USEF. For that position, Scott conducts two training sessions over the winter months (currently FL, CA), he coaches and trains the riders at the three young horse selection trials, then he organizes the selected riders to go to the FEI World Championships for Young Dressage Horses and travels with them to Europe for ten days to coach the team at the World Championships. Then he finishes up the year for his coaching role at our national young horse championships, where he coaches and trains most of the participants in the finals. 

Scott takes this role very seriously and with a tremendous amount of passion. Since he is the first-ever US Young Dressage Horse Coach, Scott tries to customize and fit the needs of this program as it develops.  The program has more than tripled in size since it began.  “I’m deeply committed to growing this program and to continue to get the best horses and riders to represent the US. Sometimes this includes Olympic riders or other very proven riders. At times like that, my role may become to simply support from the sidelines. I try to remain flexible regarding the needs of the horses and riders in front of me, sometimes actively training and other times simply supporting,” shares Scott.

Susanne Hassler - Following Her Heritage