Dressage-News

Can one of the nation’s (and quite possibly the world‘s) most prestigious and successful dressage training facilities also be a place where you can feel comfortable putting your feet up and relaxing while champion horses float by in circles before your eyes? It can be if you are talking about Stillpoint Farm in Wellington, Florida.

Stillpoint Farm, owned by International dressage rider Arlene “Tuny” Page, is truly one of the world’s most unique training facilities. Located the heart of US dressage country, Stillpoint Farm was designed to provide the best possible care amidst a training environment that fosters a cooperative team spirit. Today Stillpoint Farm is home to a who’s who of world-class trainers, and while one might expect a clash of titan egos quite the opposite occurs.

Page’s vision to create the “ideal” training facility where top trainers could work together in a supportive environment, and benefit from a superior facility with the best amenities possible, has become a reality. The success of Stillpoint Farm’s trainers, riders and Page’s own continued success with her competitive horses is a testimony that the concept for Stillpoint Farm works.

“The goal for Stillpoint Farm has always been to offer our clients a truly world class environment in which to train,” Page said. “By this I mean top physical facilities as well as an atmosphere of supportive cooperation. This has been achieved by staffing our farm with the best that the industry has to offer. We also make it a point to keep clients, their trainers, as well as their family and friends, comfortable. I have always viewed riding as a team sport where riders and trainers alike would encourage each other and share experience and insights. For me, this is the optimal way to develop every level of rider and horse.”

On any given day at the farm visitors might be sneak a peek of a of world-class trainers including Robert Dover, Oded Shimoni, Lisa Wilcox, and Tuny Page, working in concert. “The idea to have several top trainers under one roof blossomed at the farm in 2006. This situation mimics what happens in Europe where top horses and riders ride in the same facility on a daily basis,” Page said.

Stillpoint also allows clients to bring in their own private trainers, and trainers such as Shannon Dueck and Ashley Holzer can often be seen training at Stillpoint Farm. “I also love that we have top riders from several disciplines coming in short term to work on their dressage,” Page said. “This happens frequently with Oded, who is coach to the United States Three Day event team. It is exciting to arrive in the arena and see Mark Phillips and wife Sandy on hand to observe one of the United State’s top three day riders training with Oded, or to have George Morris there to work with Robert Dover on one of his show jumper’s dressage basics. The facility is expansive enough to handle this with relative ease and the footing everywhere at the farm is always maintained perfectly.”

Stillpoint Farm, located at 4394 South Shore Boulevard in Wellington, is situated on 10 acres and features a 34-stall main stable divided into four private wings. The north and south wings contain their own wash racks, tack rooms, laundry rooms, offices, kitchens and full bathrooms. The covered arena is oversized with full kick boards and features Martin Collins Equestrian Surface’s Ecotrack footing. “This is a dust free surface that offers remarkable cushion and traction and is now the footing of choice on many International venues,” Page said.

Connected to the indoor is a fully equipped “casino” with full kitchen, several bathrooms, big screen TV and complete Pilates studio. The outdoor ring at the farm is regulation size and is beautifully presented with hedging, letters and shade trees. “We have the use of an irrigated 10 acre “stick and ball” next door for field work, jumping and conditioning,” Page said. “During season we also offer stabling in lovely 12×12 stalls in our portable tent stabling. The farm has ample turnout space.”

Stillpoint also offers unique programs as a way of supporting all of their riders. Jennifer Ulinger’s Pilates studio is based in the casino. A top sports physical therapist and Pilates trainer, Jennifer has developed an excellent eye for body awareness while riding. “We have also enjoyed programs presented by USEF sports psychology, Gil Merrick, Mastry Concepts, The Oldenburg Society and others,” Page said. “We always welcomed top trainers for clinics that are associated with our trainers including Ernst Hoyos, Hubertus Schmidt, Kyra Kyrklund, Klaus Balkenhol and others.”

In addition to offering dressage riders and trainers a world-class facility, Page has made her own mark on the dressage world. Her career highlights include competing in 10 National Championships, being long listed for both the Olympics and the World Equestrian Games, winning the National Freestyle Championships and competing for the United States at the World Cup. Page also won both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle at The Palm Beach Dressage Derby. “I am also proud of my service as a member of the USEF’s Eligible Athlete Committee as well as the USEF’s High Performance Dressage Committee,” she said.

Page’s current “star” horse is Alina, a 12-year-old Danish Warmblood by Michillino. “I started her in the Grand Prix last spring with good success and will continue with her this fall,” Page said. “She will be my main focus this winter and spring in the CDIs to qualify for a US Team at either Aachen or Rotterdam in preparation for the Olympic Games in London 2012.”

For more information on annual, seasonal, or summer availability at Stillpoint Farm, call 561-371-3511 or email Stillpointllp@aol.com.