FEI rider and trainer, Vicky Busch comments on her professional development:
I was privileged to have had a very special relationship with the late Jill Hassler-Scoop. She was the most significant guiding force in my professional life – opening doors and creating opportunities I never imagined. Jill taught me how to direct my abundant energies toward my dual professional goals of improving both as a rider and an instructor. Jill was a force of nature; a great friend and mentor for me to whom I owe so much. She was my guide during her lifetime, and she guides me still.
In addition to the presence of a truly great mentor, I am also lucky to have horses as a great passion in my life. Specifically, riding and training horses for Dressage is what gets me out of bed in the morning! As a committed and enthusiastic learner I have immersed myself in Dressage since my introduction to it in 1992 and continue to invest in my education regularly. This is where I get to be the student, and I do LOVE to learn. Jill Hassler sent me to Germany on a number of educational jaunts which have proven invaluable. No place else could I have gained the total immersion in the sport, both in theory and then in practice. Particularly my time spent at the German Riding School.
I believe that a positive learning attitude and solid work ethic are the two most valuable assets a person can have to make progress in riding (and in life.) I started all of this comparatively late in life, so I knew I would have to work twice as hard to get where I wanted to be.
At the beginning
I began riding at the age of 3 on the dairy farm where I grew up. My early riding experiences were mostly western or bareback. I did not have any formal instruction nor did I compete during these years. I took a hiatus from horses to earn a double degree in Liberal Arts and History from the University of New Orleans. After completing my bachelor’s degree I worked in the Trust division of Hibernia National Bank in Oil and Gas & Real Estate. In the evenings, I earned a Law Degree from Loyola University.
Traditional Education
In 1992, I began riding again after a 10 year “get educated” break. I received a buckskin quarter horse to pleasure ride as a wedding gift. Shortly thereafter, a friend introduced me to Dressage and I was instantly hooked. In 1997, as an amateur rider I bought my first warmblood. I eventually trained that green broke 4 year old to Intermediare 1, earning my USDF Bronze and Silver medals on this horse which I trained entirely on my own. In 2000, after becoming a professional I worked for a total of 5 years for two different breeding farms, starting young horses and developing them for sale.
Competitive Career Accomplishments
USDF Education
Completed and passed all 3 Instructor Workshops on first attempt (2004).
Audited “L” program series for education purposes (2006).
Other Educational Achievements
Continuing Education
An important part of my continuing education is riding with a select group of clinicians on a regular basis. I have ridden and studied over the years with too many clinicians to name! For several winters I had the pleasure of working with highly accomplished FEI rider and competitor, Linda Strine from Versailles, KY. Over a number of years I spent as much time as possible riding and studying with Hannes Mueller of the German Riding School. I also rode with Lief Sorrensen of Denmark several times a year for many years. I have also ridden with Jan Ebling, Conrad Schumacher, Heike Kemmer (whose US tour I organized) Charlie Hutton and Lisa Wilcox. I have learned to prioritize fun with education. While I'm very serious about it I insist on having fun – otherwise it’s not worth it to me! While also hard work, riding is pure joy in my life and I never want that to change.
In addition to the presence of a truly great mentor, I am also lucky to have horses as a great passion in my life. Specifically, riding and training horses for Dressage is what gets me out of bed in the morning! As a committed and enthusiastic learner I have immersed myself in Dressage since my introduction to it in 1992 and continue to invest in my education regularly. This is where I get to be the student, and I do LOVE to learn. Jill Hassler sent me to Germany on a number of educational jaunts which have proven invaluable. No place else could I have gained the total immersion in the sport, both in theory and then in practice. Particularly my time spent at the German Riding School.
I believe that a positive learning attitude and solid work ethic are the two most valuable assets a person can have to make progress in riding (and in life.) I started all of this comparatively late in life, so I knew I would have to work twice as hard to get where I wanted to be.
At the beginning
I began riding at the age of 3 on the dairy farm where I grew up. My early riding experiences were mostly western or bareback. I did not have any formal instruction nor did I compete during these years. I took a hiatus from horses to earn a double degree in Liberal Arts and History from the University of New Orleans. After completing my bachelor’s degree I worked in the Trust division of Hibernia National Bank in Oil and Gas & Real Estate. In the evenings, I earned a Law Degree from Loyola University.
Traditional Education
- University of New Orleans, double degree in Liberal Arts and History, Graduated in 1987
- Loyola Law School of New Orleans, Graduated from night school in 1991
- Passed Bar Exam 1991
In 1992, I began riding again after a 10 year “get educated” break. I received a buckskin quarter horse to pleasure ride as a wedding gift. Shortly thereafter, a friend introduced me to Dressage and I was instantly hooked. In 1997, as an amateur rider I bought my first warmblood. I eventually trained that green broke 4 year old to Intermediare 1, earning my USDF Bronze and Silver medals on this horse which I trained entirely on my own. In 2000, after becoming a professional I worked for a total of 5 years for two different breeding farms, starting young horses and developing them for sale.
Competitive Career Accomplishments
- USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals
- MANY USDF Dressage competitive wins and successes, High point awards, Regional Championships, National awards and other distinctions.
- 6th in the country at USDF HOY for Second level in 2010 aboard Ronda Ritchie's Rasputin.
- Earned numerous breed awards over the years, example: Rampur was Oldenburg Reserve Champion, Rasputin was Danish Champion three years in a row and Pacifica Reserve Danish Champion two times.
- In 2001, prepared and presented 8 mares in 6 weeks (two were unbroken) for their ISR/Oldenburg Mare Performance Test.
- Selected to be a demo rider for the 2009 USDF symposium with Jan Brink in Austin, TX.
- Selected to be a demo rider for the 2015 HDS, Conrad Schumacher Symposium in Cypress, TX.
- Won Houston Dressage Society CDI* for the Prix St. Georges/I-1 on Pacifica, April 2015
USDF Education
Completed and passed all 3 Instructor Workshops on first attempt (2004).
Audited “L” program series for education purposes (2006).
Other Educational Achievements
- Equestrian Education Systems (EES)/Balimo (2005-2010)
- Executive Co-Director of EES, along with Alison End
- Graduate BalimoTM Instructor/Board Member/Event Organizer for EES
- Support Faculty for Distance Learning
- Photo Model for the Eckart Meyners 5 book series "Program for Better Riding"
- Lead Presenter at the 2008 USDF Convention in Denver, CO for the BalimoTM Program.
Continuing Education
An important part of my continuing education is riding with a select group of clinicians on a regular basis. I have ridden and studied over the years with too many clinicians to name! For several winters I had the pleasure of working with highly accomplished FEI rider and competitor, Linda Strine from Versailles, KY. Over a number of years I spent as much time as possible riding and studying with Hannes Mueller of the German Riding School. I also rode with Lief Sorrensen of Denmark several times a year for many years. I have also ridden with Jan Ebling, Conrad Schumacher, Heike Kemmer (whose US tour I organized) Charlie Hutton and Lisa Wilcox. I have learned to prioritize fun with education. While I'm very serious about it I insist on having fun – otherwise it’s not worth it to me! While also hard work, riding is pure joy in my life and I never want that to change.