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An unquenchable desire to immerse herself in dressage led Betsy to spend more than two years in Germany with Egon von Neindorff. It was the endless lunge lessons there that Betsy credits with developing her seat. In the years since her first Grand Prix at the age of 20, Betsy has enjoyed working with such luminaries as Uwe Steiner, Herbert Rehbein, Robert Dover, Kathy Connelly, Guenter Seidel and Klaus Balkenhol. During Betsy’s career, she has successfully trained many horses to Grand Prix including Attache, Special Delivery, Ortac, Komtur, Unanimous, Metternich and Hilltop’s Giotto. With grand prix wins at prestigious shows around the country, Betsy has enjoyed success at the highest levels for more than three decades. A USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medalist, Betsy has numerous FEI wins.
During May 2001 - June 2002, Betsy enjoyed a partnership with Rainer. This dynamic duo dominated the dressage arena, winning the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special at the CDI in Raleigh, the CDI Grand Prix at Paxton Farm in Cincinnati, and the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special at Ox Ridge in New York. Arriving in Florida, Betsy and Rainier reigned supreme with victories in the most competitive classes, including a 73.9% in the Grand Prix Special at Wellington, scoring 71% and 70% respectively in the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special at the Dressage Derby in Loxahatchee, and a 71% in the Grand Prix and a 76.58% for the Grand Prix Freestyle at the Heidelberg Cup in Clarcona. Rainier and Betsy were top contenders at the trials for the 2002 World Equestrian Games when they experienced a debilitating setback when Rainier sustained an injury and the partnership ended. Currently Betsy is delighted to be training and showing several lovely horses belonging to Sonia Zugel as well as Findlay's Titaan.
Betsy has provided commentary for videos of the 1995 World Cup, the 1996 Olympic Games and Dressage at Devon in 2001. She has authored numerous educational articles for top equestrian periodicals including Practical Horseman and Dressage Today. Her book A GYMNASTIC TRAINING SYSTEM USING THE MIND, BODY, SPIRIT APPROACH has sold over 16,000 copies in the U.S. and U.K. is currently being translated into German. Betsy's endless desire to improve her own riding as well as her student's through cross-training has led her to the development of EQUILATES™ -- a sport-specific Pilates-based exercise and body awareness program for the equestrian. The first official Equilates studio will open at the new Lake Erie College riding facility and Equilates classes will be offered as part of the college curriculum. |
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As a fitness advocate for the equestrian, Betsy has developed Equilates™, a Pilates-based sport-specific program for riders. She will be conducting Equilates clinics throught the U.S.
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American World Championship team member Betsy Steiner began riding at the age of 13. Her first horse was an unruly Palomino mare named Zsa Zsa. Although three-day eventing first drew Betsy into the competitive arena, it was a year at Christilot Boylen’s barn that cemented her devotion to dressage.
One of the highlights of Betsy's illustrious career was when she represented the United States at the World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden in 1990 aboard her own Dutch Warmblood, Unanimous. 
While teaching, training and competing, Betsy also maintains an active interest in the promotion of dressage: she served as the equestrian representative on the Athlete’s Advisory Council to the U.S. Olympic Committee from 1992-1994, chairman of the Active Competitor’s Committee from 1992-1999, and has served on the USET Dressage Committee for a 10 year period.
