Brendan Curtis

Brendan started riding at a large lesson facility near his parent’s house in Silver Spring MD. Most of his early riding was combined training, but it was during this period he was introduced to dressage. Brenden has participated in clinics with Walter Zettel, Gerhard Politz, and Ulf Wiltfang.
At the age of 17, Brenden had the opportunity to begin working for Felicitas von Neuman Cosel as a working student. He stayed with her for five and a half years during which he progressed from a working student to helping with more of the riding and teaching that Ms. Cosel did not have time for. It was through Ms. Cosel that Brenden received the ride on Jalifa GS, the Lusitano stallion that he ultimately brought with him to the Search for Americas Next Dressage Star.

“The Search for Americas Next Dressage Star really brought to my attention the need for me to find an assistant trainer position that would allow me to really develop and hone my skills as a horse professional,” says Brenden. And, through another of the contestants on the show, Rebeca Vick, he was introduced to Jim Koford, who offered him a position at his farm in Raleigh, NC. This position has offered Brenden exposure to not only excellent instruction and great horses, it has opened up a world of new opportunities. It has been only good for me, good instruction, great horses and lots of opportunities. Brenden received his USDF silver medal with the help of Jim and is now aiming for the selection trials for the Brentina cup in 2008.