Violet Hopkins (1998)

Violet HopkinsIn recognition of her lifelong quest to improve the quality of dressage instruction and riding in the United States. She initiated and managed the Violet Hopkins Seminars for dressage instructors, which were conducted for 11 years at her Tristan Oaks Farm. These seminars gave birth to the USDF Regional Workshops, the National Symposium, and the Instructor Certification Program. Ms. Hopkins has been the driving force to provide educational opportunities for grass-roots instructors and riders.

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Violet Hopkins spent her youth riding on her family's farm in Michigan. Preferring riding to piano practice, she always found a few horses to ride to school, and all her free moments were passed on horseback. With no formal instruction, Hopkins relied on her mounts to teach her the finer points of riding. Read more