The path to reaching high levels of equestrianism with a limited budget.
Lynn Ashker, a five-star eventing rider and Grand Prix dressage rider, spoke on October 13 during a special webinar for Practical Horseman Plus members titled "Learning from Multiple Disciplines" about reaching high levels in both sports.
This webinar concluded with Ashker answering questions from attendees.
She explains here how riders can advance in eventing or dressage without a large financial backing.
Question: How can someone plan to reach high levels with a limited budget?
~ Alyssa A., Texas Answer: I grew up working for really outstanding riders.
I didn't come from a wealthy family.
But my family supported me a lot; they were there for me and found ways to help me move forward.
All my first horses were retired racehorses.
For example, "Al" [Anthony Patch] was $2,000, "Patrick" [Cal Him Paddy] was $1,500, and "Jimmy" [It Saint James Place] was also $1,500.
I was lucky because these days even off-the-track horses are now [much more expensive].
So the world has changed a bit in terms of horse pricing.
But my most important advice is to find someone whose training style you really like and go work for them.
Clean stalls, take lessons, and do that hard, foundational work.
I started my career with Jimmy Wofford.
I worked for Stephen Bradley.
I worked for Philip Dutton; someone I have now returned to and ride with.
I also worked for Buck Davidson.
All of these people played a very important role in shaping my current program.
My program is not an exact replica of any of their programs, but it incorporates parts of all of them.
I learned this through hard work and working for these people; riding, cleaning stalls, and tacking up horses.
In this way, I was able to be part of a program at a world-class level; something that normally, if I had to enter as a paying client, I wouldn't have been able to afford.
Then, as you gradually achieve success, you become more recognized and people come forward saying, "I would like to be a part of this horse."
I have also told many young people that it is never too early to ask for sponsorship.
My first sponsor was a local tack shop.
I was raising money to go to England with my retired Thoroughbred, It Saint James Place, and they gave me $500.
Then a few local people each contributed $1,000.
It was really amazing.
At that time, the cost of flying horses was not nearly as high as it is today.
So yes, it is never too early to ask; especially if your goal is to become a serious rider at high levels.
Tell others this.
Don't be afraid to hear the word "no," because you will probably hear it more than "yes."
But every once in a while, someone will say, "Yes, I'm in for the long haul."
I have always been an advocate for social media and I think social media is very important for people to recognize your brand.
After graduating from the University of Virginia, I went back to business school.
At that time, Twitter had just emerged and hashtags had not yet become widely established, but I learned how to use social media to show people what my life is like and engage them in this journey.
Now I can plan my clinics through social media.
If this is a career you want to pursue, you should gradually provide educational tips as well.
Even if you are only showing a part of your daily life, I think people really love education, and that makes them want to support you and be part of your dream.
In addition to special member webinars, get acquainted here with all the benefits you will have as a Practical Horseman+ member.
To read more content with Ashker, click here.
About Lynn Ashker: Lynn Ashker, a five-star eventing rider, powerfully navigates the obstacles with her mare Loudens at the cross-country competition of the Cossquin Lexington CCI4-S during the Kentucky Defender 2026 three-day event.
Horses were part of Lynn Ashker's life even before her birth, thanks to her mother, Valerie.
This early familiarity shaped Ashker's equestrian journey, to the point where she became interested in off-the-track Thoroughbreds.
Ashker experienced her first five-star appearance at the age of 21 with the off-the-track Thoroughbred, It Saint James Place.
She has now ridden 16 horses in FEI events and has over 100 international appearances, several of which have been at the five-star level.
This summer, Ashker became the champion of the Maryland International CCI & HT CCI4-S with Loudens and also finished second at the Plantation Field CCI4*-S in September.
In recent years, Ashker has also added upper-level dressage to her repertoire, completing her first CDI in 2018.
Since then, she has earned a USDF gold medal and recorded her first CDI victory with Zeppelin in May 2023.
She has also competed at the Grand Prix level with Boogie Woogie and Atlas.
Ashker is the first athlete to compete in both the American Open in dressage and in eventing.
Source: Practical Horseman – Training