michelle brady, haefer dressage

Michelle Haefer is a Gold Medal dressage professional, training horses and riders from beginner to Grand Prix. Born in La Grande Oregon, she began riding horses at 9 years old and was skilled at starting colts and working with problem horses at age 16. She has honed her natural horsemanship skills throughout her career and incorporates these into her training program to develop well-rounded horses.

Michelle pursued her love of dressage and trained under Grand Prix rider Carole Novitske starting at age 16. She moved to New Jersey in 2012 to work for international Grand Prix competitor and two-time World Cup rider Catherine Haddad Staller. As an assistant trainer and stable manager, Michelle managed a large operation with clients and horses at all levels. She started young horses and brought many up through the levels, earning her silver and gold medals. 

Michelle has worked in the FEI circuit in New Jersey, Florida and Europe, traveling extensively to manage FEI horses at an elite level and has trained with other renowned riders and clinicians.

In 2020, she returned to Oregon to start her own dressage business in her home state and has developed a thriving professional training program based in Sherwood, Oregon. She brings the best of dressage and other disciplines to her horses and her clients to achieve their ultimate goals.

In 2022, Michelle and DHF owner Julie Miller found Djurre in a sales barn and immediately recognized his potential. As a five-year old, Michelle took over his training and Djurre has thrived in her program. In one short year she transformed him from green-broke, to showing and winning at third level. Djurre is highly intelligent and very trainable with an exceptional temperament. He shows the potential to easily move up the levels and achieve FEI success.