2005 Dressage at Devon - American Junior Riders Championships

Meet the Riders - Jennifer Dainer and Troll

The traveling time from Livermore, California to Devon was long and grueling, but for 17-year-old Jennifer Dainer, it was worth it. This will be Dainer’s third straight year competing in the junior championships.

The previous two years were ridden on another mount, but this will be the first year of competition for Dainer and her new love, the bay 10-year-old Rhinelander gelding, Troll (x Tanzer).

The Dainer family was looking for a younger horse to move up to and acquired Troll from Steffen Peters. Peters felt that Troll would be a perfect match for Dainer and recommended the horse highly. It only took one ride to convince Dainer of Troll’s worth as a future partner for her, and he was purchased immediately following. “Troll is always willing to work and is constantly ready to please. I feel like he has a lot of talent and I expect him to do well in the future.”

Peters is a regular clinician visiting Dainer’s barn, Cayetano Ridge in Livermore. Her trainer Dirk Glitz and her have been working together since January of this year upon Peters’ recommendation. Dainer has the utmost respect for Glitz and his training program. “He makes me work hard and pushes me, but he does it in a positive way so that I never feel overwhelmed.”

Of course, this very cool lifestyle would never be possible for Dainer if it weren’t for her parents. “My parents have always supported me in my riding for the past ten years. They can always be seen around the barn helping out by cleaning tack or polishing boots for me. I am very thankful to have them to encourage me.”

Being a senior in high school, Dainer has to start thinking about her future plans. She plans to attend a junior college in California for the first two years, and then finish her college education at a university. Dainer and Troll have a season average of a high 68% coming into this competition. She was the second highest qualified rider for the junior championships.

Back to the Index