Russell Oden is a resident trainer at Proud Meadows. He brings years of horse experience with him in both handling and training under saddle.

Russell started riding at a young age on his aunt’s western horses. His love of horses followed him to Texas A&M University, where he studied Animal Science. There, Russell was the first and only freshman asked to join the polo team. Russell also enjoyed other equine disciplines, including reining, cutting, hunter/jumper, and of course, dressage. Russell’s passion for dressage began when he started showing sporthorses in-hand. At his first clinic, Russell met and worked with Bob Orton who is known throughout the U.S. as the master of in-hand showing of sporthorses. Bob Orton, of Buck Branch Farm, is also well-respected for his work starting young horses under saddle and is in high demand as a clinician at all levels. Russell quickly became a respected protégé and thereby made a name for himself in the biggest show rings along the competitive east coast. Russell has incorporated Bob’s theories in his own training methods and has had Bob come to Texas for the past several years for clinics. The rider must always have compassion for the horse; afterall, they are a team and must dance together. Russell’s forte is starting the young horse under saddle and teaching the fundamentals of dressage – which are building blocks in the development of all disciplines. It is very gratifying to watch the progress of the young horse in his training and to see the owner carry on in a successful partnership. The best path to a long and satisfying career with a horse lies in the first months of training.

Russell also enjoys riding and training at all levels. Oden Sport Horses, Russell’s business, has purchased two Hanoverian geldings to start showing in 2007. Ricky Ricardo (Ruiz Soler x Bolero x Lombard) and Fuji (West Coast x Diwan x World Cup). Russell has shown all over the US with many Championships to his name. His last show of the year is the prestigious Dressage at Devon.

Russell also brings his veterinary and breeding experience to Proud Meadows. His first job at the age of 15 was working for a veterinarian. Russell spent 15 years of his high school, college, and post college life working and learning from equine veterinarians. He has worked for 3 breeding farms, caring for and handling stallions, teasing mares, and managing collection and artificial insemenation. Russell is currently the breeding manager for Proud Meadows.

In addition to his services as a breeding manager, trainer and handler, Russell also accepts stallions for preparation for stallion inspection. To date, all warmblood stallions prepared and presented by Russell have been approved by their registry. Inspections include the American Trakehner Association, Belgian Warmblood, German Oldenburg Verband, RPSI, and American Warmblood Society.

Russell is currently accepting horses into training.
Please call or email to check for availability.
His direct line is 512-797-5747 and email is Russell@odensporthorses.com.

For more information, you can also visit Russell’s web site, www.odensporthorses.com,
for show schedule, news, sale horses and services.

Paige is a resident trainer at Proud Meadows. As a highly competitive rider in open competitions, she has earned her USDF Silver and Bronze medals. A milestone was reached in 2005, when she made her international competition debut at the Palm Beach Derby CDI***, where she qualified for both Prix St. George and Intermediare I. She has had great success at the USDF Regional Championships qualifying and finishing in the ribbons every year, with many Champion and Reserve Champion titles. Incredibly she has been awarded an SWDC medal for every level from Training to Intermediare I. A consummate professional with the drive to succeed she brings a strong work ethic and a positive attitude with her every day.

Paige began her riding career as a competitive jumper and dressage rider. She eventually made the transition to a full time dressage rider and trainer. However, she utilizes much of her jumping experience not only in the development of young horses, but also to consistently introduce new exercises into her daily routine that keep the horses challenged both mentally and physically.

Throughout the years she has had the opportunity to work with many top trainers including Jan Nivelle, Raymond Withages and Sally O’Conner. Paige continues her education thru regular work with Sabine Schut-Kery, and winters abroad are spent with Dr. Cesar Parra at his farm in Jupiter, Florida. Paige says,“My formal education has been entirely German and I continue to focus my daily training on those principals.”

Paige is currently accepting horses and riders into training on a case-by-case basis.
Programs for each are developed based on the individuals needs.
For more information, she can be reached by phone at 214-693-0797
or by email at Paige4322@yahoo.com

Matt McLaughlin studied primarily under Chuck Grant, USDF Hall of Fame member and recognized father of American Dressage. As a working student he not only furthered his dressage riding skills, but also learned the art of training horses in Haute Ecole for exhibition riding/performances. Matt spent the next seven years as the Principal Rider, Head Rider, and eventually Head Trainer for the Royal Lipizzaner Stallion Show where he trained as many as 16 stallions and riders for the daily performances all over North America, Europe, and Australia as well as performing his own high-energy solo acts. He has successfully trained horses through Grand Prix which have gone on to compete nationally and internationally as well as multiple horses finished in Haute Ecole including Capriole, Courbette and Levade. His dedication to the training of horse and rider is based on his system of horsemanship that integrates classical principles of dressage and Natural Horsemanship techniques with a focus on controllability of the mount.

Matt travels throughout North America and Europe as a featured clinician and performer. He lectures and performs at events such as the Midwest Horse Fair, Southern Horse Festival, PA and NY Horse World Expos, VA Equine Extravaganza, Nebraska Horse Expo, TN Horse Fair and at the first US $10,000 Pas De Deux Freestyle Challenge. Matt also has donated time and demonstrations for fundraising organizations including the Christopher Reeves Foundation.

Matt is currently training and showing horses for competitive dressage and in 2006 was awarded the USDF bronze and silver medals for rider achievement. Although he trains and teaches all levels, his passion is training piaffe, passage and Haute Ecole.

Please visit www.matt-mclaughlin.com for more information.
Matt can be contacted at 540.272.4587 or info@matt-mclaughlin.com

We are available to break horses on a case-by-case basis.