For Allyson Rogers, Less Is More “Less is more. The point is that you allow the horse to make a mistake, correct the mistake, and then leave the horse alone." By Nancy Brannon Allyson Rogers, dressage trainer at Massar Stables, is living what Steve Winwood sang about as “the high life.” With 25 to 30 students at all riding levels from beginner to Grand Prix, a very popular breeding and performing Oldenburg stallion, and “a marvelous partnership” with stable and horse owner Kathy Massey, what more could one ask for? Her latest trek October 17-18 was to Region 9 Championships in Guthrie, Oklahoma, taking several students with her. She took ROUTINER, her 13-year-old Oldenburg stallion to compete in Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I and her 5-year-old mare DESERT QUEEN, to compete in Training Level Championships. Students accompanying her were Patty Fannin of Eads, TN with FANFARE, to compete in Fourth Level Championships; Karen Raber of Byhailia, MS with SYLVESTER, to compete in Third Level Championships; 19-year-old Morgan Bailey Carrier with HENNESSEY, to compete in Third Level Championships for Young Riders; Jane Ryan of Jonesboro, Arkansas with WYEDALE, to compete in Training and First Level 2 Championships; and Tina West, taking DRESSED TO THRILL for the Training Level Championships. Allyson grew up riding in southern California. She graduated with honors from Westmoreland Davis Equestrian Institute in 1990, after which she briefly worked on her own. Then in 1993 she hooked up with Olympian Steffen Peters and worked as his assistant and barn manager for 10 years, training both in the U.S. and in Europe. She traveled with him to the Olympics and other international competitions, as well as rode and trained several outstanding dressage horses. She had opportunities to school some of the most famous international dressage horses, including 1996 Olympic Bronze medalist UDON, owned by Lila Kommerstad, and her other horses GRANDEUR, AKEENA, and MARLANDO. She also rode Steffen’s horse LUXOR. Allyson came to Massar Stables in 2002. Since her arrival in Tennessee, she has garnered numerous awards with many horses including her own Hanoverian mare, GRETEL, the Oldenburg stallion ROUTINIER, owned by Heritage Manor Farm, and the Arabian gelding SCRABBLE owned by Massar Stables. She is also a USDF bronze and silver medalist. “I have incredibly loyal clients, a nice sponsor n Heritage Manor Farm n which has given me nice horses to ride, and a marvelous partnership with Kathy that has worked out great,” Ally said. Ally gleaned her training philosophy “from Steffan, which is very German,” she said., Ally summarized it: “Less is more. The point is that you allow the horse to make a mistake, correct the mistake, and then leave the horse alone. Don’t nag. My horses tend to be very light and sensitive to the aids. So the goal is to not have to always be kicking, pulling, or bending the horse n not driving the horse crazy with the aids” to get the desired results. Kathy Massey gave the rider’s point of view about Ally: “She has an amazing eye for evaluating riders to see what they are capable of doing, and then encouraging them to reach their potential. When Ally first came to this area, there were mainly just Training Level and First Level riders; there were only a few upper level riders. Now when you see Ally’s students, you can see that they have moved up consistently through the levels. Now at the shows you see riders participating at all levels, and many more at upper levels.” Ally responded: “It’s a real thrill for me to see riders progress. When I first arrived, Kathy said her goal was to ride a First Level 2 test. Now Kathy is showing through Fourth Level and will show at the Prix St. Georges level next year. “ Kathy: “I’ll have to buy my own tails! But I am typical of Ally’s students. Those who have been consistent and dedicated have made great progress.” Ally: “I love teaching students new movements. It is fun to watch students get a kick out of moving up, learning new movements, like moving from simple leg yielding to shoulder in.” In the 1960s, General Electric had the motto: progress is our most important product. That motto also applies to the results of Ally Rogers’ riding and training techniques. For more information, see Ally’s web site at www.alrdressage.com/ or Massar Stables’ site at www.massarstables.com/MassarStablesHomePage.html.