On Day 1 of the 2025 USDF Trainers’ Conference, Christine Traurig helps USDF bronze and silver medalist Hannah Irons transition her Westphalian gelding Ein Traum’s training from a 4- to 5-year-old. With young horses, Traurig stressed the importance of developing and cultivating suppleness and adjustability and encouraged her to get “E.T.” more supple throughout his body with circle work. She also helped Irons introduce him to brief moments of collection through lots of transition work.

Christine Traurig, Chef d’Equipe of the U.S. Dressage Team, was born and raised in Germany, on a farm where her father bred horses. It was there that her passion and skill for riding young horses developed. At the age of 12, she started riding at the National Riding School at Hoya with the legendary trainer Otto Meyer. In 1998, Christine began training with Johann Hinnemann and in 2000 she competed at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, on the bronze-medal-winning U.S. team. Dedicated to classical dressage training and horsemanship to produce skill and excellence in horse and rider, Christine works to help today’s Young Riders and horses develop a commitment to basics.