CARA Philosophy

            The mission of CARA is to provide quality equestrian experience by assuring the highest professional training, positive motivation and reinforcement in a friendly safe environment. We believe that a quality sports program can enrich a person’s life experience and is an excellent means of building strength, flexibility, coordination and confidence.

CARA Facility

·   Located on 10 acres with stabling for 29 horses, CARA is devoted primarily to dressage, eventing, and basic riding. The facility’s two all weather footing arenas can each accommodate regulation size dressage arenas and areequipped with automatic sprinklers. The   covered  dressage arena is also  lighted. CARA is owned and operated under the direction of Ulrich and Dorie Schmitz. Rounds are made each night after closing and someone is on the property at all times to ensure the safety of the horses.

CARA Staff

Ø     Uli Schmitz

·        Uli received his equestrian training in Germany, where he successfully competed in dressage, show jumping, three day eventing and was awarded the German Riding Medal. Uli continued his career as a competitor after moving to Canada. He earned distinction as a dressage judge under the Canadian Dressage Federation. Uli added event course designer, dressage clinician to his equestrian skills in Florida and Arizona. He has shown through the Grand Prix level. Uli is an International FEI “I” Event Judge. He is also an USEF “S” Dressage Judge as well as an USEF Sport Horse Judge. Uli has the USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Rider Medals.

Ø     Dorie Vlatten-Schmitz

·        Dorie has a degree in Animal Science from the University of Arizona. She won the Carl Heinrich Asmis United States Equestrian Award which allowed her to train in Germany under Herbert Rehbein, five-time German Professional Dressage Champion. Dorie has shown and is currently competing through the Grand Prix Level and has her “R” level USEF Judge’s license and currently enrolled in the USEF "S" Program . Dorie has her USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Riding Medals. She continues to compete her horse “Lenz” Grand Prix , and her other horse“Coeur Bube” third level.

Mary Jane Parmentier

In addition to being a professor at ASU, we are happy to have Mary Jane as part of our facility. Mary Jane teaches adult dressage lessons as well as riding and training horses.

Mary Jane is currently competing her young Hanoverian warmblood and preparing him for Second level.

Allison Spaulding

Allison has been a student at CARA since the age of 7. Now as an adult and successful rider, she joins the CARA staff. Allison teaches adult and children beginners through intermediate riders.  Allison is also director of our Mommy, Me and Pony too classes.

Jaime Hopkins

Jaime also has been a student at CARA since the age of 7. Now as an adult and successful rider, she joins the CARA staff. Jaime teaches both children and adults. Jaime is in charge of planning and directing our children’s programs and camps.

Susan Krauskopf

Susan has been with CARA since childhood. As an adult she now trains dressage horses and shows horses for clients.  In addition to her time at CARA Susan has also done extensive training with German Reitlehrer Gerd Zuther and his wife Yvonne.