I am a USDF Certified Instructor Training through Fourth Level, and a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist.  My most recent achievement is that I have become a faculty member for the USDF Instructor Certification Program.  This allows me to serve as an instructor for the Certification Workshops.   I work and train out of Crescent Farm, Hillsborough, NC.  I have a variety of training horses and students ranging from Training Level to FEI.  My plan for the upcoming 2008 competition year is to compete my own horse Foreigner at PSG and maybe I-1 toward the end of the season and also Sweet Rock Solid (a.k.a. Stibby) at 2nd level this year. Stibby is owned by Louise Rascoe of Bahama, NC and he is an imported German Riding Pony stallion.

My philosophy, as a rider and trainer, is that "anything forced and misunderstood can never be beautiful".  Therefore, I am a staunch believer that a rider's seat and position is foremost.  As a rider learns to become a more effective rider he or she is able to produce a quiet, supple, and obedient horse.  Whether your goal is dressage, jumping, or pleasure riding, the end result each day should be a pleasant ride for horse and rider.

To name a few trainers who have played a very important role in who I am today as a rider and trainer I would mention Spencer and Lalla Brewster, Karl Mikolka, Cindy Sydnor, Betsy Steiner, Paul Belasik, and most recently Lilo Fore, and Scott Hassler.  Also, never forgetting all the students and horses who I have had the pleasure of working with over the past years who have taught me lessons on a daily basis.

Bailey Cook