Caroline Garren is a twenty-five-year-old dressage rider based in Wellington, Florida. Assistant trainer at Oded Shimoni Dressage, who currently have horses in training from five years old through Grand Prix, Caroline’s job predominantly focuses on training and competing, but she also teaches lessons, present horses for sale, and works with the vets and farriers.
How did your dressage journey start and transpire to where you are now?
Caroline and Quantaris at the Festival of Champions jog
I grew up riding at an academy in Atlanta, Georgia. I started out vaulting and later transitioned into dressage. After purchasing my first horse, Bell Angelo (known as Belly), at fifteen, we moved to train with Karen Lipp. With Karen, I competed successfully in the Junior and Young Rider divisions, winning reserve champion in the Seat Medal Finals and earning two gold and one bronze medal at NAYC in the Junior division.
After high school, I completed my freshman year of college at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. Belly did not come to school with me, and I quickly realised how much I missed him. Wake Forest was not a good fit, so I packed up days after the end of my freshman year, put Belly on the trailer, and drove down to Wellington. I had arranged a summer job with Robert Dover and planned to transfer to the University of Miami.
That summer was hugely restorative. I spent all day riding and taking care of Belly. Fortunately, I learned that Miami had accepted me. At the University of Miami, I studied anthropology with minors in art history, entrepreneurship, and marketing. I arranged my classes so I could go back and forth from Miami to Wellington as often as possible, about five days a week. While in college, I started riding with Oded Shimoni as a client.
After graduation, I got my real estate license and worked in Wellington while simultaneously pursuing my horse-show goals. My coach, Oded Shimoni, had his rider quit unexpectedly, and I began helping him with some of the riding. Although we were both hesitant about the transition from client to employee, Oded and I developed a great professional relationship, and I eventually started working for him full-time. I feel lucky to work with such a range of horses every day and to show many of them.
This past season, I got the ride on Oded’s Grand Prix horse, Quantaris. It had always been a dream of mine to compete in the U25 Grand Prix division, and we started showing in December 2024. It was wonderful to get to know him through the 2025 season. We qualified for the Festival of Champions and ended up Reserve Champions for the U25 Brentina Cup National Championship. We plan to move up to the senior Grand Prix for the 2026 season.
What does a typical week look like to you?
Caroline and Belly hand grazing
I ride eight to twelve horses every day. We train Tuesday through Sunday, and the horses have Monday off. We also walk or lunge one day in the middle of the week. Usually, I take one lesson per day with Oded; sometimes, we do two lessons, time permitting. I take lessons on all the horses we have in the barn, but we prioritize the ones currently showing. Oded and I switch horses around regularly depending on what they are working on. If one of us gets stuck, the other has a go. This system helps keep us fresh and prevents training from stagnating.
It takes a team to do dressage, who is in your support team?
I am blessed with an amazing support team. First, my boss and coach, Oded Shimoni. He is my eyes on the ground at home and at shows, a wonderful mentor, and a source of wisdom about both life and horses. My parents are a huge support as well; they have fostered my love for horses since childhood and supported my dreams from the very beginning. We also have an incredible team of grooms, body-work professionals, chiropractors, vets, and farriers at OS Dressage. Everyone works together toward the common goal of keeping the horses looking and feeling their best.
What do you love about dressage?
I love it when the horses make progress in their training. It is so exciting when they understand a new concept or movement. I believe in working from a foundation of good basic riding, but each horse has their own unique path that you discover as you train them.
Proudest moments?
Caroline’s first horse Bell Angelo (Belly) after they won Juniors
My first horse, Bell Angelo, was part of so many moments I am proud of—my first flying changes, first half pass, first pirouettes, first lines of changes. I showed him from USDF First Level through Grand Prix. Training him to Grand Prix and showing my very first Grand Prix test will always be one of my proudest achievements. Along the way, we won team gold, individual gold, and freestyle bronze at the North American Youth Championships and earned great results at the Young Rider and small-tour levels. All of the show results were amazing, but spending time with him and loving him was the greatest gift.
This past year, I competed with my boss’s horse, Quantaris, in the U25 Grand Prix division, which has been a long-term dream of mine. We began showing in December 2024 and qualified for the Brentina Cup at the Festival of Champions, the U.S. national championships. We ended up Reserve Champions. I was so proud of how we progressed as a pair over only eight months of showing. I dedicated a lot of time on the ground building our relationship, and it was amazing to see how much he trusted me in the big atmosphere at FOC.
Challenging moments on your dressage journey?
All of my most challenging moments have related to the health of my horses. The hardest was the passing of my first horse, Bell Angelo. I considered him a pet, a best friend, and a partner. He had been with me through so many seasons, from high school to college to my transition to professional riding. Losing him was simply devastating and took the joy out of riding and being at the barn for many months.
What is your philosophy for training horses?
My philosophy for training horses (and people as well) is that they learn best when they are in the “challenge zone.” Think of training as a spectrum that includes the comfort zone, the challenge zone, and the panic zone. Horses do not learn much in the comfort zone, where work is easy. It is great for warming up, cooling down, and building confidence. In the panic zone, horses also do not learn; this happens when too much information or pressure is presented at once, leaving them frazzled and unable to absorb. The “push zone” is where learning happens, when they are challenged but still able to process and understand. This applies to people too; when things are too easy or too difficult, neither horse nor rider is learning.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in dressage?
Do your research and select professionals who align with your goals and values. Not every program suits every individual, and to truly enjoy dressage, it is important to find the right fit for you.
Future aspirations?
My dream is to be on Team USA for major senior championships and to develop a string of top horses from the young-horse levels through Grand Prix.
Your Top Tip
Caroline’s first Grand Prix with Belly
Luck is when hard work meets opportunity
In any sport, dressage included, there is always an element of luck. My story of becoming a professional has a huge element of it. If Oded’s previous rider had not quit, I would likely still be working in real estate. Although that situation was happenstance, I set myself up to capitalise on the opportunity by working hard and showing up. As a young rider, I always came in the afternoons to spend time with my horse, showed up for his vet and farrier appointments, and went above and beyond to take good care of him. I also started riding horses for a few other people around town. Oded saw the effort I put into my own horse and my dedication to improving my riding. Based on those factors, he decided to give me the opportunity to work with him as a professional.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Focus on what you can control and leave the rest.
This piece of advice is based on the principles of classical stoicism. A huge component of this philosophy is focusing only on things directly within your control and not worrying about what is not. There are so many variables in life and in horses that are out of our hands. You cannot control other people’s feelings or actions, the weather, whether your horse spooks going down centerline, or whether a judge likes your horse. Worrying about those things is simply a waste of energy. I like to focus on what I can control: showing up with a good attitude, communicating well, ensuring my horses are happy and healthy, and preparing properly for shows. Life with horses, especially during busy show seasons, can be exhausting, so it is vital to preserve your energy and mental health by focusing intentionally on what is within your control.