Anna Dahlberg

Anna Dahlberg, 26 years old from Gothenburg, Sweden, came to Mette as a working student six years ago. She really enjoyed her time at Mill Creek working for Mette and always wanted to return. In 2004 Anna went to study at the Equine Studies Program at The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences at Flyinge. (www.flyinge.se). Flyinge was established in 1661 and is the National Stud Farm of Sweden.  In 1994, it became a University of Equine studies. Flyinge has a history of innovation and expertise. As an equestrian education centre, Flyinge provides a solid theoretical and practical foundation for a career as a professional instructor and/or horse trainer, in stable management, in equine-related industries or in consultancy. Flyinge was also for many years the training center for Olympic dressage rider Kyra Kyrklund.  Today it is the training center for Olympic show jumping rider Peter Eriksson, the World champion in driving, Marie Karle and the Olympic Eventing rider Pia Pantsu.

 After two years at Flyinge, Anna graduated with honors and with a diploma as a stable manager. She was such a talented student, that after finishing school, Flyinge offered her a scholarship to study riding with a specialization in dressage at the Ehrengranath Academy. This gave Anna the opportunity to stay for one more year at Flyinge. The Academy's goal is to preserve the best traditions of horsemanship. Anna got to ride many talented young horses as well as some of the approved stallions.  The time at Flyinge gave her a lot of experience in running a professional barn.  It also taught her how run and organize events, such as breeding championships, stallion tests, international dressage and jumping shows and  many other type of events. In addition, Anna is a certified trainer in Sweden with a C-trainer license and has obtained a diploma as a groom by passing the Sweden’s groom examination.

Anna is now back working as Mette’s assistant and she is very happy to be part of Mette’s staff once again. This time she brought her seven year old Don Schufro gelding with her that she is hoping to compete in the United States this coming spring.

Kat Napier

Kat Napier, 24 from Seattle, joined Mette as a working student in early July 2008. Kats dream from an early age was to be a professional rider. Kat attended Lake Erie College as an equine teacher/trainer major with a focus on Dressage.  She was team captain of the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) Championship Team in 2005 and was also a North American Advanced Young Rider (NAYRC) competitor.  While in school she had the chance to work with all types of horses from starting babies, to jumpers, to Prix St. George dressage.
 
After college, Kat has been very active in many aspects of the equine industry as a groom, rider, barn manager, equine vet assistant, and for the past two years; a profesional trainer.

Kat got to know Mette when she rode in a clinic with her and is now thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such a well respected top dressage trainer on a daily basis and be a part of her team.