Welcome to Dressage with Michell!


Michell Combs, owner of Dressage with Michell, LLC, is an experienced Dressage Judge and Trainer. She is a licensed USEF ‘r’ Dressage & ‘R’ Western Dressage Judge, and a USDF ‘L’ graduate with distinction. Michell has been an owner, rider and competitor in Dressage for over 20 years. She has been judging Dressage and Western Dressage since 2008. Some of her accomplishments include earning her USDF bronze, silver, and gold rider medals, FEI Rider of the Year in 2013, as well as Third and Fourth Level State Champion and Second Level Rider of the Year.

 

Michell is an executive at a publishing company which produces two equestrian magazine titles and runs an online retail store. She has been on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Dressage Association since 2009 and has been the Membership Chair and Second Vice-President. Michell teaches and trains in clinics throughout the Southwest, at Carefree Farms, and also at a private barn in Arizona.

 

Michell is available to judge Dressage shows in the Southwest and is available as a trainer for both riders and horses in person or through video evaluations. She specializes in ground work with young horses and can train Dressage and Equitation. Michell is also available to show your horse for competitions and is currently accepting new clients.

 

If you are interested in discussing your horse, training, or judging requirements, please contact me at dressagewithmichell@gmail.com.

 

MICHELL’S HIGHLIGHTS:

  • USEF ‘r’ Dressage judge (2022 approved into the large R training program)
  • USEF ‘R’ Western Dressage judge
  • USDF L Graduate with Distinction
  • USDF Bronze, Silver & Gold rider medals
  • AQHA approved dressage judge
  • Arizona Dressage Association Voting Director (2009-present)
  • Competing at Grand Prix (2013, 2018)
  • USDF Instructor Certification Workshop Series Participant for: Riding, Training & Lunging (2018)
  • USEF Dressage Judge Clinic (2014, 2016, 2019, 2022)
  • USDF Freestyle Judge’s Clinic (2019)
  • AA FEI Rider of the Year (2013)
  • 3rd & 4th Level State Champion (2013)
  • 2nd Level Rider of the Year (2019)
  • USDF Rider Performance Award’s at First & Second Level (2007)
  • Western Dressage Judge Education Seminar (2018, 2021, 2024)
  • Upgrade Your Judging Eye II Clinics (2010, 2012)
  • AZ Dressage Association Volunteer of the Year
  • Co-manager of Carefree Farms All Fun Show (2020, 2021)
  • FEI High Point Award Champion (at numerous USEF rated shows)
  • Clinic(s) with Hilda Gurney, Kathleen Raine, Shannon Peters, Conrad Schumacher, Tracey Lert, Dolly Hannon, Niki Hall Clarke and Allen Clarke
  

 

1993-2022
Sum Are Royalty (aka Summertime)
Summertime

 

 

Summertime came to the home of Phil & Michell Combs as a barely broke 5-year-old. Michell had intended to take her into the jumper world but Summertime had other ideas. After a friend gave her a lesson in Dressage, the two were hooked! Summertime and Michell learned Dressage together and progressed through the levels under the tutelage of Cyndi Jackson for many years. Summertime earned the scores needed for Michell obtain her USDF bronze rider medal and all but one score for her silver medal. They competed through Prix St. Georges but schooled up further, they even played with one-tempis. In semi-retirement Summertime allowed Kara Finnegan and Peggy Farmer to enjoy the Dressage moves she enjoyed. The love and bond of Michell & Summertime are well known throughout the Phoenix Dressage groups. For the last 15 years she wound down her career and eventually retired at the home of Rick and Karen Gould. Her two best friends, Bella and Sandy have kept her entertained and protected. Summertime will be sorely missed by all. She had a communicative personality and loved her life.