The question is often asked, “What is dressage?” Dressage, by definition, is training. Serious dressage riders can answer that question with what they experience when schooling their horses—perfect harmony and balance between horse and rider, a partnership that takes years of practice, diligence and knowledge to master. In Dressage, we never stop learning.

Dawna Kuhlmey has been riding since the age of 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 Dawna met, and became assistant trainer to Katie Thompson. Over the next several years Dawna continued to compete and teach. In 1994 she had an incredible opportunity to move to San Diego, California to work for—and train with—Guenter Sidel and Stefen Peters, two of the nation's leading dressage riders. After taking a short time off to have her son Kyle in 1996, Dawna returned to Las Vegas to continue her career in Dressage at Augusta Farms.

One of the greatest highlights of Dawna’s Dressage career was competing in the 2003 Pan Am Selection Trials on Peg Arnone’s horse, Magic. Never finishing out of the ribbons, this team had many accomplishments including winning the Cornerstone 2003 Prix St. George Championship. Dawna and Magic continued their partnership to compete through Intermediare-II.

Dawna has trained many young horses to the starting levels of Dressage and has had many students of all levels. Some of their accomplishments include the following:

2003
The Markel Insurance Cornerstone High Point Junior Rider and Adult Amateur Cornerstone 4th Level Champion Adult Amateur
Cornerstone Training Level High Point Adult Amateur
USPC TOP 10 Dressage Team Finishers

2004
USDF Prix St. George Horse of the Year Adult Amateur
California Dressage Society Training Level Junior Champion
Markel Insurance High Point Adult Amateur

2005
Markel Insurance High Point Junior Rider
Adult Amateur CDS First Level Junior Championship Qualifier
Markel Insurance High Point Adult Amateur
Utah Dressage Society Superior Score Award winner

2006
EPC Open High Point Champion
EPC A/A High Point Champion
EPC A/A Reserve High Point Champion

2007
EPC Open High Point Champion
EPC A/A High Point Champion
EPC A/A Reserve High Point Champion

2008
Cooper Ranch A/A High Point Champion
EPC A/A High Point Champion
Southpoint A/A High Point Champion