Oak Shade Sporthorses, LLC

Owner and Trainer April Trimmer is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist with over 20 years of experience in the horse industry. Her initial years riding were spent very dedicated to Dressage. She started her first horse at the age of 12, a Morgan Cross mare named Vivace, who is still a part of the family 20 years later. Although she wasn't able to reach her goal of competing in Young Riders, she was afforded the opportunity to clinic with some of the greats like George Williams, Arthur Kottas, and Conrad Schumacher and achieved her USDF Silver Medal at age 17. After graduating High School, she was able to venture into other realms of the horse world by galloping racehorses, barrel racing, Eventing, driving draft horse teams and training mules, all while continuing her passion for Dressage. She has achieved multiple top 10 placings in USDF Region 1 Championships and first places in USDF All Breeds Awards. She has managed Aisling Farm for the last 11 years, as well as being the driving force behind their Horse Trial and Dressage show series. She is also the driver for James River Carriages. April believes that any equine can benefit from Dressage, and a quick search on USDF Scores will show that she has very rarely shown a "traditional" Dressage horse. (21 of 31 horses are non-warmblood). She has trained and shown Arabians, Morgans, Haflingers, Quarter Horses, a kill pen rescue horse, and even mules. Oak Shade Sporthorses is the cumulation of a lifelong quest to bring out the best in every equine, regardless of breed, age, or talent, and add to their quality of life by patient education and proper conditioning.