Photos from the Collection of Yvonne Barteau
I have long been impressed by Yvonne Barteau. She is not only one of the nation's most accomplished dressage riders, but as a Post-50 woman, she continues to excel as a performer and trainer. As a riding enthusiast myself, I was very excited to be invited to this legend's home. I could not have expected to walk into a house brimming with such hospitality. Yvonne and her husband, Kim, were the perfect hosts -- and what a remarkable chef Kim is!
But, it's not their delicious meal and goodhearted company that I am writing this about. I am going to tell you why Yvonne Barteau is a woman you can learn from. She is an excellent example of exceptional living, not just because of what she does but also for how she sees things. First, let me describe her accomplishments.
In the sport of dressage, Yvonne has won gold, silver and bronze medals from the United States Dressage Federation. She has also earned gold freestyle bars for her interpretive dressage choreography. Along with her husband, she has trained over a dozen horses to the Grand Prix level, making her one of the most highly sought-after horse trainers. Additionally, she has brought her love for dressage to audiences all across the United States, performing at Madison Square Garden, Equitana and on the TODAY Show. Yvonne and her team produce amazing equine theater for excited audiences. Regular season shows begin the second week of May and this July, KYB Dressage will entertain ten thousand spectators at the Kentucky Horse Park's Altech Arena for BreyerFest. She'll also be preparing for a highly anticipated Christmas show.
Yvonne is someone to learn from. She shares her knowledge and equestrian philosophy in her well-received literary work. Her first book was Ride the Right Horse, in which she explores the different equine personalities and gives valuable insight and training tips to her audience. Recently, Yvonne completed her second book, The Dressage Horse Manifesto, in which she assumes the voice of these several different equine personalities and allows readers and riders to glimpse into the minds of these majestic creatures.
Congratulations to a much respected women. She never ceases to amaze me. I am very proud of Yvonne. The knowledge that she has about the Horse is astonishing. I have learned so much from my short time with her and her staff. Being over 50, she has inspired me to keep working hard on my horsemanship and has humbled me by the knowledge she is able to share. I am impressed by her dedication to her craft and also to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. She has built both a career and a loving home.
Yvonne has earned every accolade through hard work and perseverance. She has taken something she loves, committed long days to it, and has found a way to share it with others. There is something about an entrepreneurial spirit that is quite captivating. Their success stems from an admirable self-confidence and the knowledge that they are contributing something of value to the world. Though Yvonne discovered her passion as a child, we can make a similar discovery at any point in our lives. All it takes is a little introspection and perhaps to adopt a somewhat fearless attitude to gives us the gumption needed to pursue it.
The result is more than money; it's fulfillment!
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