Training Saddlebreds in Dressage

Tuesday, January 1, 2008 | Mary Phelps

Chrissa F. Hoffmann

Harry Callahan is clearly, Chrissa’s best-known success among the “nontraditional” breeds. She and Harry debuted at Second Level in 2004. Harry is an American Saddlebred (Supreme Heir x Make My Day by The New York Times) owned by Linda Cawthon. Harry averaged 65 percent in Second Level that year and went on to finish first in USDF’s All Breeds awards. He also received Highpoint Champion twice with scores up to 67 percent.

In 2005 Harry and Chrissa debuted in Third Level, with winning scores up to 67.90 percent. Chrissa’s success with the Saddlebred gelding landed the pair on the front cover of the USDF Connection for the December 2005 edition. She was also interviewed by the USDF Connection for an article on the training of “nontraditional” breeds in dressage. Harry Callahan is the first-ever American Saddlebred to appear on the cover of the Connection.

“I am really enjoying riding these breeds,” said Chrissa, “because today, I truly believe in the individual, and not the breed is capable of success in the dressage arena.” With the Morgan Dancity Savoir Faire’s introduction to Robert Dover and the Saddlebred Harry Callahan’s success with the USDF Connection article, Chrissa Hoffmann has set a pioneering path for both breeds.

Chrissa’s ability to train non-traditional breeds to the highest level of dressage has earned her world-wide respect and recognition. She and Harry Callahan were recently featured in articles in two of Germany’s most prestigious equestrian magazines – Cavallo and Pferdehorse.

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