Our Team
Jann Clark, Judi Gilsdorf, Javier Gonzalez,
front row: Paul Melzer, Ashley Madison, Lauren Elliott, Nicolle VanderVliet,
Jessica Zoskey Melissa Wortman. .
Read About Our Educational & Employment Opportunities!
Scott Hassler, President, Director of Training, USEF Young Horse Coach
Susanne Hassler, Vice-President, Director of Breeding, International Competitor
Scott and Susanne have two lovely daughters, Mia (a 1993 model) and Sara (vintage 1996). Scott and Susanne hold family as a high priority and try to involve their girls in as much of their horse endeavors as possible, while supporting the girls in their other interests as well.
The girls have already had the privilege of traveling to Europe on many occasions, given their parents' work. Mia—the less 'horsey' daughter- plans to be part of the family business on the business-end of things, while pursuing her passion for fashion, soccer, music, friends, (and boys, of course)-- the typical teenage stuff. Sara is an avid developing rider, a true animal-lover, and a speedy soccer player herself. Sara is eager to move to Riveredge where she will be able to ride every day and be part of the daily workings of the farm. Scott often volunteers as coach to the girls' soccer teams and Susanne is always the dedicated team photographer, capturing each kid in action with her big lens! The Hasslers enjoy snow skiing, cruising to tropical destinations, and boating on the Chesapeake Bay—waterskiing, tubing, and wake boarding—to add some fun and quality family time to their busy schedules. One day, they hope to tour the alps on skis and the Mediterranean by boat…explore Costa Rica's jungles and Rome's ruins…the list goes on and on, though it will take serious planning to put those diversions into their lives!
Read more about Scott and Susanne: Scott Hassler | Susanne Hassler
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Jann Clark, Administrative Assistant, Bookeeper
Jann is a transplant from the mid-west. She is from a small town (Eola, IL) outside the suburbs of Chicago; how small is small – how about seven students in her 8th grade graduating class (2 girls, 5 boys)? Jann received her BS degree in Physical Education from Wheaton College and taught physical education at the high school level for two years before her marriage to Ben brought her east.
An important piece of Jann's background history is her tie to the east coast and specifically the Colora area. Jann's father, Gil Dodds, being involved in education, always had his summers free. 
For several summers while Jann was in high school, her dad was athletic director at Hilltop Ranch where Jann was a camper and then a staff member, working in the kitchen where she had her first sighting of her future husband – at the other end of the kitchen cleaning pots. While at Hilltop Ranch, there were many opportunities to ride horses: riding western and following "nose-to-tail" on the well-trained trail horses. Jann returned to Hilltop Ranch, as assistant program director, the summer she graduated college and lo and behold, there was Ben again, status upgraded to Chef. Needless to say, sparks flew and within a year Ben completed his degree at the Culinary Institute of America, they married, and both settled into residency at Hilltop Ranch.
Once on the east coast Jann continued her teaching and coaching career for another six years until a variety of jobs became her main focus: child rearing (son Jonathan and daughter, Lindsay), day care, housekeeping, hospitality/food service and secretarial. These jobs kept her busy on the home front as well as employed in the work force. Ben worked for Morning Cheer, Inc.(the parent company) until the Hilltop Ranch property was sold in 1990. Long story short, Jann and Ben moved to Rising Sun, but the new property owners in looking for secretarial help hired Jann. I guess you could say, "..and the rest is history!" After 16 years immersed in the sport horse world, Jann learned a new language, and while working alongside Scott and Susanne, Jann is now a converted sporthorse-lover. Balanced with her physical education background, Jann is still developing her eye, but she appreciates the harmony and beauty of the horse and rider; she understands and appreciates the athleticism and training needed as the team flows down centerline. Jann can be seen supporting the team as a cheerleader from the fence-line. Jann can also be heard and is only a phone call away: "Good Morning, Hassler Dressage, Jann speaking!"
Email JannMelissa Wortman, Breeding Manager, Marketing Assistant
A life-long horse lover, Melissa pursued her passions for business marketing and dressage while attending Michigan State University where she was a member of the Honors College and Vice President of the Marketing Association. Upon completion of her Marketing degree in 2000, she continued her education in Horse Management at MSU while working for the university’s Horse Teaching and Research Center. An instructor encouraged Melissa to explore dressage and she was immediately hooked! She competed that summer with the dressage team on one of the university’s sweet Arabian geldings while taking lessons at nearby Rowe Dressage Stables.
It was kismet that while still at MSU, Melissa learned of a fellow student who needed to lease out her off-the-track thoroughbred. She and “Muddy” were meant to be. 
When the year-long lease was nearly up, Melissa purchased Muddy for a whole dollar with the understanding that a bone chip, incurred as a race horse, would prevent him from being 100% sound. With careful, deliberate work, Muddy did stay sound even while blasting through the fields at Fair Hill or galloping on the beach. Melissa and Muddy continued their dressage education together, competing at First Level and schooling 2nd and 3rd level movements until Muddy sadly succumbed to colic in 2008 at the age of 18.
In 2002, Hilltop Farm offered Melissa the opportunity to move to the east coast and work under Susanne Hassler in their breeding office. For over four years at Hilltop, the pair developed a dynamic working relationship and friendship that continues to thrive. As part of her education in warmblood breeding and bloodlines, Melissa visited Hengststation Pape in Hemmoor, Germany in 2003, traveling back to the U.S. with Hilltop's young stallion, Royal Prince. She also attended the 2006 KWPN Stallion Show in Den Bosch; an exciting adventure that culminated with the crowning of Rousseau's son "Wamberto" as Champion of the show. Melissa appreciates her relationship with the Hasslers, their expertise, and their horsemanship. She joined Hassler Dressage in its infancy in early 2007.
Melissa truly values the relationships that are built with “her breeders” and loves to see the outcome of their efforts in the form of beautiful foals that arrive around the country each year. In her personal life, she practices photography, yoga, gardening, and loves to travel. She and her husband live in Delaware. They became a family in November of 2007 with the joyous arrival of their son, Braxton.
Emily Covington, Design and Media
Born and raised in southern California, Emily developed a love for horses at an early age . Her mother supported her passion by driving long distances to take her to weekly riding lessons. In addition, she has fond memories of weekend rides in the San Gabriel foothills with her father.
When unable to be with horses, she began drawing them and there grew another focus. She graduated from Rhode Island School of Design, with a B.F.A. In 1992, Emily returned to horses full time to spend a year as a Working Student at Hilltop Farm in Maryland She was profoundly influenced by Scott and Susanne's expertise and harmony with dressage horses and ended up staying nearly five years, gaining skills in Stable and Breeding Management. She furthered her riding and enjoyed a new focus on young horses. At Hilltop, Emily was also happy to combine her art background with horses by contributing photography and various artwork to farm publications.
Emily returned to California after meeting Paul. While there, she worked as Assistant Trainer to Carol Plough at Shadow Ridge In Highland. The opportunity to ride a great variety of horses through each level was a tremendous experience. The time with Carol was enhanced by opportunities to show, participate in clinics with top trainers and judges, and accompany her on horse buying trips to the Netherlands.
Emily and Paul moved east together to Maryland largely due to their friendship with Scott and Susanne. Emily is thrilled and honored to be part of the Hassler Dressage team. She thrives on the variety of work she can contribute, moving from the stable floor to creativ<div class="style2" style="width: 572px; height: 506px; overflow: auto; padding:8px; border: 0px;"> e design. Her belief in Hassler Dressage and Scott and Susanne's unparalleled stewardship of horses and riders in dressage sport remains unwavering.
Emily continues to ride, train and teach outside of her work at Hassler Dressage. She is highly honored to partner full time with Blue Waters Farm in Chesapeake City where she cherishes training and competing their talented horses. She loves the balance between young horses and developing her own horses to FEI!
Email EmilyAshley Madison, Assistant Stable Manager & Assistant Trainer
Ashley was born in Johnson City, Tennessee but grew up in Maine on Sebago Lake. Days were spent fishing, skiing, ice skating, and hiking in New Hampshire's White Mountains. At the ripe old age of five, Ashley became a regular at Vienna Farm in Gorham, Maine. One lesson a week on a trusty schoolie was all it took to awaken a passion that would fulfill a lifetime. After years of pleading and gaining confidence through leasing horses and ponies of all shapes and sizes, the Frechettes finally took the plunge and purchased "Ace" for Ashley at age thirteen. Ace was an eight year old paint gelding bred by Ashley's instructor, Tanya Rennie. What he lacked in talent, he more than made up for in heart and brought Ashley from training through third level.
With the continued support from her parents and dedicated instructor, Ashley packed her bags and embarked on a journey that began with a move to Providence, Rhode Island to attend 
Johnson & Wales University. While there, she participated on the intercollegiate dressage team and studied Equine Business Management. During this time, Ashley also had the opportunity to ride and work for FEI rider Tina Konyot. Tina was extremely generous in the riding opportunities she shared with Ashley. After returning home, Ashley purchased Lugano, a four year old Rheinlander gelding which Tanya found for her. After nine months of building the new partnership, Ashley and Lugano relocated to Hilltop Farm to be a working student under Scott and Susanne Hassler. Over the year and half spent at Hilltop, Ashley and Lugano grew and developed into a true team. Ashley had the opportunity to further develop herself as a rider when Lugano needed time off for a minor injury and the pair came back stronger than ever. From there, Ashley and Lugano moved to New York to work with Courtney King, a student of Scott's. Courtney inspired enormous growth in the pair and was a strong positive influence in training and in life.
After the 2006-2007 Florida season, Ashley moved back to Maryland in hopes of reconnecting with her friends and mentors, Scott and Susanne. Thankfully, she got her wish and was able to join them at their beautiful new farm in Chesapeake City in September of 2007. Ashley, Lugano, and Cooper (aka. Ferdinand the Jack Russell) are very happy to finally have a place to call home after all of their travels and continue to feel blessed to have ended up in such an inspiring place. She is eternally grateful for the support of her parents, instructors, and friends along the way that have made chasing this dream a reality.
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Judi Gilsdorf, Assistant in Field and Stable
Judi is a native of Delaware currently living in Middletown. She graduated from the University of Delaware in 1980 with a degree in Animal Science. Upon graduation, Judi worked for DuPont Pharmaceuticals as a customer service representative. She is married to her loving husband, Rob and has 2 children. Christi, 21, is an Athletic Training Student at the University of Delaware. Andrew, 18, is a student at the Delaware Autism Program.
Judi's lifelong love of everything horses began at an early age. She graduated from riding ponies bareback to hunt seat lessons at Highland Farms in Arden Delaware. Her love for dressage came when she rode as a working student with KC VanDyk at Wellspring Farm in Wilmington DE. After moving to Middletown in 1993, she spent 7 years working at Winbak Farm in Chesapeake City Maryland. At Winbak, Judi spent countless hours in the foaling barn including delivering foals and managing the broodmares and foals. Each summer and fall were busy times for yearling sales prep. After leaving Winbak Farm, Judi obtained her riding instructor's certification from the ARICP and spent many years teaching beginners the basics of horsemanship.
Free time is spent volunteering at the Delaware Autism Program, quilting and gardening.
"As a parent of an autistic teenager, I sometimes find it challenging to find work outside of the home. I am very grateful to Scott and Susanne for giving me an opportunity to become a part of their team."
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Richard Malmgren, Sales and Marketing
Richard B. Malmgren was born and raised in southern Sweden in the mid '70s. He grew up on a horse farm and was exposed to horses from an early age. He started riding at age 7 and has never stopped. "Horses have been a passion from the get-go and it has turned into my profession. I feel privileged to have grown up in the countryside in Sweden and having taken part in the European system of riding at an early age. There are many people that I have learned from and respect as people and horsemen. The largest influence on my riding career and myself as a person was Bengt Malmgren, my father, friend and mentor. He competed at Advanced level eventing and show jumping in the 1960s. I learned early in my riding career that I had a lot to gain from him. I recall as if it was yesterday the feeling that I got after he rode my pony and the realization that I could learn so much from him. After that moment he was my trainer and my biggest supporter.
"My father made sure that I always had consistent help from other professionals that were active in the sport. He set me up to train with Lars Anderson, head trainer at Flyinge, 'Sweden's National Stud' and representative of the 1988 Swedish Olympic team. I trained for 5 years with him on a weekly basis.
"In 1996 I arrived in the US and at Hilltop Farm, Inc. I was a trainee and working student under Hilltop's Head trainer Scott Hassler. It was a life-changing year and I grew both personally as well as a rider. Returning to Sweden as a changed person with a new view of what the world had to offer, I started University in Sweden to pursue a degree in International Economics. Spring semester 1999 I transferred to University of Delaware and during my collage years I was a student at Hilltop Farm, only a 30 minutes drive from the University. After graduating in December 2003 with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration with a major in Marketing I earned a position as Sales and Marketing Manager at Hilltop Farm.
"I know riding horses will always be part of my life but becoming a trainer was not the profession that I wanted to have. Combining the business aspect of the horse industry by being involved with trainers and breeders, the education of the developing horse is a challenge that I enjoy very much. Everyone who knows me would say that I am very passionate about horses and creating a connecting between sport and breeding for a successful outcome. This is based on the European model and why Germany, Sweden and Holland and other European countries are so successful.
"Being very involved in the development of perhaps one of the most influential educational events in the USA, the "Young Horse Dressage Trainers Symposium" has been very exiting, awarding, and a great experience. Seeing young horse people of that caliber come together and share a great hunger for learning and connecting with people alike gave me great hope for the future of dressage training for young horses. The 2005 and 2006 YHDTS were two events that gave both a wealth of training knowledge but also a creation of business relations and networking opportunities."
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Nicolle Vandervliet, Stable Assistant
Nicole was once affectionately nicknamed “Hoopie” after her first word “hooooo,” said as she smiled and tossed her head while dreaming of being an Olympic Eventer. She was in the saddle by age 3, and by age 5 she Pony Clubbed, fox hunted, and rode bareback in the back yard thanks to the generosity and encouragement of wonderful neighbors in Southern Maryland. Today, Nicole is passionate about competing dressage and fascinated with breeding, training, and instructing. Nicole adores the young and developing horses, and finds working with them irresistible. As a very successful junior rider, often with high scores and championships, she recognizes that career goals do not come easily or quickly; success is built on hard work and the great people who help you along the way.
At age 11, Nicole had her first “working student” experience during a summer in Virginia with Debbie Rodriguez (R). She worked with Debbie for several summers and developed an appreciation for a hard-work ethic, perfect leg wraps, good cooking, dressage shows, and the love of dancing with horses.
Susan Graham White, Nicole’s dressage instructor in Maryland, supported Nicole’s youthful exuberance for jumping and galloping, but predicted that one day Nicole would focus solely on dressage. Jim Wofford told Nicole that “Jumping is dressage with speed bumps” so every gallop over course obstacles became another reason to study dressage. After Nicole graduated early from high school at age 16, she pursued with her filly “River Willow” goals of college, long-term working student positions, and upper-level eventing, but after a couple of years, focused solely on her passion for dressage.
Nicole is grateful for the many wonderful people, from the awesome clinicians to super saddle fitters, who have generously encouraged and supported Nicole with their time, energy, money, and guiding words that have helped Nicole to develop her talent and passion. What a dream come true when Scott and Susanne offered the opportunity to be a working student! Nicole is so excited about being a part of this incredible team. She is grateful for the inspiration and education of honoring horses and the personal growth by the example and encouragement of Scott and Susanne, as well as the other members of the Hassler team and Riveredge guests.
Nicole has fond memories of eventing, but now gets her need for speed snowboarding with her mom, dad, brother, and sister. She still enjoys a good gallop, some jumping, and hanging out with friends. But now you’ll catch Nicole saying "oh yeah" as she lives her dream and smiles in the saddle. She hopes of being an Olympic dressage rider one day and is thoroughly enjoying the journey
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Jessica Zoskey, Stable Assistant
I was born and raised in Chesapeake, VA by my wonderful parents, Tony and Cindi. I also have an older brother, Michael. I began riding in 1997 and soon after began competing on the Arabian circuit. In 2004, with the help of my parents, 
I purchased FA Patriot (Blue), an Arabian x Friesian. I then began riding with Kathy Rowse who coached us from getting Blue on the bit to the 2008 FEI North American Young Rider Championships in Parker, CO. We have also been very successful on the Arabian dressage circuit with multiple regional and national championships.
My goals are to learn more about various aspects of horses, horse care, and maintainance to help me decide what profession outside of teaching and training I want to attain. For riding, my goal is to never stop learning. I want to larn as much as I possibly can about dressage and other disciplines. Also, I would love to one day be a part of a United States team of some sort beyond Young Riders.
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Juan (Christian) Flores, Stable Assistant, Grounds Crew
Hi, my name is Juan (Christian). I was born in México and I grew up with horses and cows. I used to ride— not dressage horses, but “A HORSE IS A HORSE,” that’s what I got dude. I love the rodeos. I had my own horse when I was little, 
so now I still like to work with them because they are one of the best things that we have. And also I play soccer;I'm one of the best players, I am serious, ok! But the best thing that I have, is that I am still learning, and getting more experience with good people, and maybe some day get my own farm, you never know!!! “YEAH BABY”
Hola my nombre es Juan (Chirstian) nacido en Mexico, crecido entre ganado y caballos, solia montar no caballos del dressage pero "CABALLO ES CABALLO" es lo que es,tu sabes. Me gustan los rodeos. Tenia my caballo cuando estaba chico por eso es que sigo treabajando con ellos por que son una de las mejores cosas que tenemos. Tambien juego soccer, uno de los mejores por sierto, es encerio. Pero una de las mejor cosa que tengo es que todavia sigo aprendiendo entre buenas personas y asi algun dia tener mi propio rancho. Uno nunca sabe!!!
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Paul Melzer--son of Douglas, son of Otto, son of Luke. I was born and raised in the elfin forests of Southern California. A fourth generation Californian, I keep a cool head amidst catastrophic events, and have survived earthquakes, fires, and floods. I received my B.A. and my M.A. in music composition from the University of Redlands where I coerced musicians to turn my various scribblings into sound, including the symphonic tone poem "An Altered Constellation." These two degrees took a dozen years to complete, during which time I waited tables in restaurants, worked in Yosemite Valley, co-founded the company Talisman Restoration in Santa Cruz, California, specializing in textile conservation and restoration, was a Good Humor Man, learned to write my bio in first person, and collected sundry books. Upon completion of my formal schooling, I opened an antiquarian bookstore—frequented by former SoCal luminary Todd Wemmer. I operated it for 17 years before moving to Maryland with my sweetheart Emily. In 2001, I edited, and was instrumental in publishing, an important posthumous work by William Henning on the history of penmanship, "An Elegant Hand: The Golden Age of American Penmanship and Calligraphy," (Oak Knoll, 2002). Since moving east, I've taken up long distance running and now compete in races with names like Mountain Masochist, Hellgate, More and More Difficult, The Wild Oak Trail, and Barkley Marathons. O yeah, I loves da horses... (and dey love me).
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