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About

Siobhan, Ghost and Mouse

I have loved horses since I was a small child, and started riding at the age of seven. I am extremely lucky to have grown up with two very supportive parents, who saw how horses helped nurture responsibility and character. I was able to participate in the USDF Advanced Young Rider program, in addition to riding a lot of young horses and starting them under saddle. I also spent nearly three years at Steffen Peters’ barn in San Diego, where I was able to work with both Steffen and his then-assistant, Allyson Rogers.

I continued to ride while attending Rutgers University and earning my B.A. in Philosophy. While a philosophy degree is often the topic of jokes, I actually credit my degree with much of my approach to teaching–that it should be a shared dialogue between teacher and student.

My parents visiting with Waki at Lamplight in 2019.
Siobhan Byrne and Mouse
Mouse, my 1993 Hanoverian gelding, who has been a wonderful teacher for me and my students. He is currently enjoying retired life.

I have lived in Maryland since 2007 and have been working regularly with international FEI riders Jessica Jo “JJ” Tate, and Jeremy Steinberg for many years. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to participate in clinics with a number of excellent trainers, including Arthur Kottas, Georg Theodorescu, Charles de Kunffy, Christoph Hess, Olivia LaGoy-Weltz, Allison Brock, Lars Petersen, and Scott Hassler. I am an alumna of the Harmony Sporthorse/Hassler Dressage Young Dressage Horse Trainers Symposium. 

I truly enjoy the process of bringing horses and riders up through the levels. Every horse has something to teach us, and even the average horse is capable of more than you might expect with good training.

Mission Statement

I believe that dressage can make any horse a better version of themselves. 

I believe in training horses in a fair and ethical way that nurtures their spirit and unique personality while gymnastically developing them to their potential. Through multi-faceted, systematic training, I seek to produce willing partners while remaining appreciative of their individual strengths, and mindful of their weaknesses.

I believe in using instruction to develop thinking riders, who understand the “why” behind the exercises. I encourage my students to watch, read and listen to good horsemen in all disciplines, to think for themselves, and to ask questions. I want them to understand when and why to use different techniques and exercises, so that they can feel confident riding on their own.

I endeavor to never stop learning, to approach each horse and student with an open mind and a willingness to think outside the box when necessary.

Learn More About Training

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qualiadressage

Siobhan Byrne
USDF Gold, Silver and Bronze medalist
Dressage Training and Instruction
Poolesville, MD

Qualia Dressage LLC
Hans - Fourth Level Test 3. VADA/NoVA Spring Show, Hans - Fourth Level Test 3. VADA/NoVA Spring Show, 70.69%
Baby T, Tryon poster boy! Can’t say I blame them Baby T, Tryon poster boy! Can’t say I blame them, he is very photogenic. 🥰 #dressage #tryoninternationalequestriancenter #tindernoodle #oldenburgsofinstagram #oldenburghorse
Basics, basics, basics. Super clinic with Jeremy S Basics, basics, basics. Super clinic with Jeremy Steinberg working on all the good stuff: thoroughness, straightness, adjustability. While it may not have been super exciting to anyone watching, the feel I got from Hans (especially in today’s trot work, which unfortunately I have no video of! 😩) gave me chills. Love this special boy so much. 🖤 #handsomehansi #dressage #dressagehorsesofinstagram #dressurpferd #roadtograndprix #kwpnhorse #equestrian
Thank you @itsahorselifephotography for the fantas Thank you @itsahorselifephotography for the fantastic photos of Hans! So nice to finally have some show photos of this beautiful boy. 🖤 #kwpnhorse #dressagehorse #dressagehorsesofinstagram #dressurpferde #roadtograndprix #handsomehansi
Thank you VADA/NOVA, for the beautiful jacket and Thank you VADA/NOVA, for the beautiful jacket and ribbon for year-end awards! Hans was Third Level Open Champion with an average of 71.594%. 

Congratulations to my students who also won awards: Jessie Ginsburg with Vodermus was Champion Intermediate-1 Adult Amateur, and Carol Thomas with Gentle and First Freda was Champion and Reserve Champion Second Level Amateur, and Reserve Champion and 5th in Musical Freestyle Adult Amateur.
Hans - Developing PSG 2/21/21. Super proud of Hans Hans - Developing PSG 2/21/21. Super proud of Hans for earning a 68.56 in his first Developing PSG. 🖤 He has only been to three shows in his life and wasn’t started until he was 5. For him be so rideable at a huge venue when it’s 31 degrees out with gusting winds (🥶) makes me proud of our partnership. He just needs a little mileage for me to be able to amp up the power a bit. 🚀

Huge thank you to Jeremy Steinberg for his help and support this week. Thank you as well to Custom Saddlery, Cate Fiolka and Teresa Keyes—love riding in Custom Saddlery saddles and I’m proud and grateful to be a sponsored rider.
All four of my beautiful boys enjoying the snow. ❄️🖤 #snowday #handsomehansi #tindernoodle #squawkiwaki #devilmouse #dressagehorse #dressagehorsesofinstagram #hanoverian #oldenburghorse #kwpnhorse
Hans playing with some canter pirouette work this Hans playing with some canter pirouette work this morning. A 7:00am lesson is a little rough in this cold weather, but riding a wonderful horse in the beautiful morning light makes it totally worth it. 🖤#handsomehansi #dressage #dressagetraining #dressurpferd #canterpirouette #roadtograndprix #kwpnhorse #equestrian
It was freezing cold 🥶 this morning, but Hans w It was freezing cold 🥶 this morning, but Hans was #enfuego 🔥! Every ride on this amazing horse is a gift. 🖤Thank you @jeremy_steinberg for the great lesson and @sas_sport_horses for the video. #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #dressagerider #dressurpferde #kwpnhorse #roadtograndprix #handsomehansi
Amazing sunset for my final ride of the day. #nofi Amazing sunset for my final ride of the day. #nofilterneeded #sunset #dressagerider #marylanddressage #equestrian
Despite all of the anxiety and uncertainty, there Despite all of the anxiety and uncertainty, there was plenty of good in 2020. I’m grateful for my fantastic group of friends and clients, who were so supportive and understanding of my physical issues this year. Not to mention my friends and colleagues (Rebecca Douglass and Sara Spofford) who took time out of their busy schedules to keep my horses going while I recovered. I am very lucky. Here’s to new dreams, goals, and adventures in 2021. My team has some big ones in mind, and I can’t wait. #dressagetrainer #dressage #equestrian #marylanddressage #newyearsgoals
Sierra and Donnlei bringing the Xmas spirit to the Sierra and Donnlei bringing the Xmas spirit to their lesson this morning! 🎄🎁 Donnlei is a very good sport. 😂 #dressage #dressagehorsesofinstagram #swedishwarmblood #holidayspirit
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Qualia Dressage
Poolesville, MD
732.406.9606
siobhan@qualiadressage.com

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© 2021 · Qualia Dressage · Photography by RBM Photography, Susan J. Stickle, and Pics of You