Ruth has earned her USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medals as well as her Freestyle Gold Bar and has been named a 4* rider on Centerline Scores. 4* and 5* designations are significantly harder to attain and riders/trainers of these standings should be considered well-rounded, experienced and among the upper level of U.S. dressage talent in the areas of performance and experience.

Ruth has competed both nationally and internationally and was long-listed by the USET. She has received multiple awards at every level from Training to Grand Prix.

Ruth as a Coach and Trainer

Ruth has developed successful teaching, training and competition programs for riders of all levels and needs. Both East Hill Farm and Bespoke Farm offer individualized plans for horse and rider so that they may achieve top physical and mental conditioning.

Many of Ruth’s students and their horses have risen through the levels from Intro to Grand Prix and won both Regional and Reserve National Championships. Ruth has coached riders and horses who have won top honors in the USDF Year-End, Horse of the Year or All Breed Awards.

Recent Success Stories

Testimonials

Ruth as a Freestyle Designer

Ruth has been designing and choreographing competitive musical freestyles for many decades, creating freestyles which have been represented in every level of the USDF Regional Championships, and performed at the World Equestrian Games, Regional Championships, National Championships and HOTYA awards, as well as by Para-Equestrians. 

Since 2003, Ruth has been a head coach and choreographer for Team Winged Foot at the annual Challenge of the Americas quadrille freestyle benefit for breast cancer research. In March 2020, Team Winged Foot rocked the house by winning the competition. To watch a video of the performance, click HERE.

Ruth in Books

Ruth co-authors the annual editions of The Dressage Riders Journal as well as The Jumper Riders Journal with Ariana Marshall – longtime friend and prior dressage rider. She also created several workbooks for test memorization (in both standard and small arena versions) and for freestyle choreography and design. Visit her Amazon Author Page.

Ruth, in conjunction with the late Jane Savoie, created “Program Your Position,” a shorthand language that changes the software in your subconscious mind so you can quickly and easily trigger position corrections. For more information, visit www.programyourposition.com.

Ruth is also the creator of “Riding with Soul,” CDs designed to help you identify the perfect tempo, define your sense of rhythm and aid in relaxation for your musical freestyle.

All these products are available in her shop.

Ruth in Media

Contact Ruth directly for media inquiries, interview requests and consultations related to horse training and equine farm management topics.

Podcast Interviews

Here are a selection of past interviews. More podcast sessions can be found here.

Video & On Demand

Ruth’s Recommended Products

How Ruth Started with Horses

While growing up, Ruth Hogan was actively involved with 4H and Pony Club, where she developed a solid background in horsemanship.

In 1988, she earned her undergraduate degree in Animal Science and Nutrition from the University of Vermont, then completed an M.S. in Comparative Nutrition the following year.

In the winter of 1990, Ruth managed Robert Dover’s entire barn of about 20 horses. When her friend, mentor and coach Jane Savoie was short-listed to represent the U.S. in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Ruth joined the pair as Jane’s personal groom. She returned to Florida for the ’93 winter season, where she competed in Intermediaire I on Valentino, while training with and working for Robert Dover.

By the late 1990s, Ruth began training independently and a win in Dressage at Devon’s Intermediaire I Freestyle capped a successful season, and earned Ruth a place on the USET Developing Rider List.

Life Beyond Dressage

In 1990, Ruth met Danish rider and trainer Bo Poulsen, and they were married in 1994. Bo Poulsen, a farrier, serves clients throughout New England in the winter and the Mid-Atlantic during the summer.

Named for his home in Denmark, “Vibaek Horseshoeing” relocates to Wellington, Florida, for the winter. Ruth and Bo also use his family farm as their homebase during their frequent buying trips to Denmark and Germany.

At the end of each Florida season, Ruth and Bo makes sure to take some time away from the barn. Most years, they relax with a week of fishing and kayaking in the Florida Keys to wind down after the busy season.

Stay Up to Date

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