Springhaven Farm
About Dawna
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Dawna Kuhlmey has been riding since age five and spent her early years in the hunter/jumper world. In her early twenties, she discovered the Silk Purse Ranch in Las Vegas and was introduced to dressage. It was there that she met and became assistant trainer to Katie Thompson. Over the next several years, Dawna continued to compete, train and teach. In 1994 she had the incredible opportunity to move to San Diego, California to work for and train with Steffen Peters and Guenter Seidel, two of the nation's leading dressage riders. After taking a short time off in 1996 to have her son Kyle, Dawna returned to her career in dressage at Peg Arnone's Augusta Farms.
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One of the highlights of Dawna's dressage career was competing in the 2003 Pan Am Selection Trials on Peg's horse, Magic. Never finishing out of the ribbons, this team had many accomplishments, including winning the 2003 Cornerstone Prix St George Championship. Dawna and Magic continued their partnership through Intermediare II.
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Dawna has trained many young horses up through the levels of dressage, including her Grand Prix horse Izzy and achieving her medals on horses she has trained. Dawna is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist herself. She has students of all levels and has coached them to many Local, Regional and National Championships.