Darlene Dixon-Bottorff guides the training of the horses and riders at Genesis.  Darlene is one of the most credentialed trainers in Middle Tennessee.  Darlene holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science.  She has earned the United States Dressage Federation Bronze and Silver Medals on horses she has trained exclusively.  She has earned USDF Performance Certificates through 4th level.  She has won multiple USDF All Breed Awards.  Darlene has been nominated for Female Dressage Trainer of the year three times.  She has earned all International Arabian Horse Association Dressage Riders Awards.  She has won 13 IAHA National Championships and reserve National Championships plus numerous Top Ten awards.  She has won over 30 Regional Championships and reserves plus numerous Regional Top Five Awards.  She has won many championships in Hunter Pleasure, Halter, English Pleasure, Country English Pleasure, Sport Horse In Hand, Dressage, Hunter Over Fences, cutting and Trail in recognized shows on various breeds of horses.

 

Darlene had a successful show career as a youth rider winning many classes in Hunt Seat Equitation, Stock Seat and Saddle equitation.  She was on the Intercollegiate Horse show team while in college at the Open level.

 

Darlene continues to improve her techniques and knowledge by frequently riding with world class trainers. Having ridden with top trainers such as Volker Brommann, Gunnar Ostergard and Hilda Gurney she has chosen to work exclusively with the trainer she admires and respects the most, Karl Mikolka, a Chief Rider from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria. In 2005 Darlene received the honor of becoming one of Karl’s certified students. Karl's tireless teachings of the Old Masters coupled with exactitude create a level of performance unequaled by any other instructor she has worked with or watched. The techniques are true classical horsemanship and it is her desire to continue learning with Karl and to in turn pass this knowledge onto her students.

 

She also participates in various USAE, IAHA, and USDF programs.  Darlene is a graduate of the USDF “L” Judges program and is currently judging shows in the Southeast.  Darlene is the current vice president of the Middle Tennessee Arabian Horse Association and board member of the club plus having been past president.  In addition to her executive duties of MTAHA she also volunteers as the coach of the very talented Youth Drill Team.  She has also been a past member of the board of the Central Tennessee Dressage Association.

 

David Bottorff manages Genesis Equestrian Center.  David brings with him many years of corporate management skills since his retirement from CSX Transportation, one the largest rail shipping companies in the US.  David has a keen sense of humor which always keeps things lively on the farm.

 

 

David and Magic Moment GA

It is rare to see a rider who is truly passionate about the horse and his training, taking a profound interest in dressage with self-abnegation, and making this extraordinarily subtle work one of the dominant motivations of his life…..Nuno Oliveira