2025 events
Clinic with Steffen Peters
May 10-11, 2025 | Unexpected Farm (Wales, ME)
Join us as we welcome six-time Olympian Steffen Peters to Unexpected Farm!
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One of the United States’ most decorated dressage riders ever, Steffen Peters hardly needs an introduction. Peters is celebrated for his exceptional skill and profound artistry in the world of Dressage.
With multiple Olympic and World Cup medals to his name, Peters has consistently demonstrated a rare blend of precision, elegance, and passion in his performances. His deep understanding of dressage, combined with his ability to inspire and educate, makes him a sought-after instructor who can transform riders' techniques and elevate their connection with their horses.
Whether you're an aspiring dressage competitor or a seasoned rider looking to refine your skills, Peters' masterful insights and dynamic teaching style promise an unforgettable and enriching experience.
2024 events
2024 Season
Auditor pass
May - Nov 2024 | Unexpected Farm (Wales, ME)
We have a fantastic clinic lineup for 2024 and offering a season pass to all clinics.
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Pass includes:
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3 days of auditing for the New England Spring Symposium
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2 days of auditing with Lauren Sprieser
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2 days of auditing with Sabine Schut-Kery
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2 days of auditing with Tamie Smith
The pass is $225. That's only less than $60 per clinic!
Equine Affairs
April 11-14, 2024 | Ohio Expo Center (Columbus, OH)
Chelsea is a clinician at this year's Equine Affair! With a general admission pass, you can attend Chelsea's sessions and all clinics, seminars, and demonstrations. You will also have admission to the trade show, specialty pavilions, and competitions.
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This is an equestrian gathering you don't want to miss!
New England Spring
Symposium
May 17-19, 2024 | Unexpected Farm (Wales, ME)
Tik and Sinead Maynard will be joining us for the fourth annual New England Spring Symposium from May 17th-19th! This 3-day format allows us to offer a personal experience for each horse and rider pair.
Participants will have a group lesson on Friday and a semi-private lesson on Saturday and Sunday. All riders will have the opportunity to ride with both Tik and Sinead. Participants have access to auditing the entire weekend as well as socials, demos, and talks as part of your clinic fee.
Riders will get one auditing pass for a groom. As we get a sense of rider levels and who will be participating, we will send out a schedule of events. Horse and rider pairs must be comfortable jumping 2 feet.
Applications to ride in the symposium are closed, but you can apply to be on the waitlist. Auditor passes are also available.
Luke Gingerich Liberty Clinic
August 12-16, 2024 | Unexpected Farm (Wales, ME)
We're so excited to host Luke Gingerick for a five-day liberty clinic. Luke specializes in teaching and performing liberty horsemanship. He has presented his bridleless reining and liberty horsemanship at Equine Affaire, Horse World Expo, and Midwest Horse Fair.
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Luke doesn't often travel for clinics, so having him at Unexpected Farm is extra special.
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Clinic with
Sabine Schut-Kery
August 27-28, 2024 | Unexpected Farm (Wales, ME)
Join us as we welcome Olympic team silver medalist Sabine Schut-Kery for two days of learning at Unexpected Farm! Sabine is an elite dressage rider and trainer who competes internationally and also delights audiences with extraordinary equestrian exhibitions. Sabine's training program is based on a horsemanship approach. Her track record producing stallions, mares, and geldings of a variety of breeds demonstrates her sensitive approach to a training partnership.
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Riding spots are full, but auditor passes are available. Email us at unexpectedfarmmaine@gmail.com to be added to a waitlist for riding spots.
Clinic with
Lauren Sprieser (new date!)
October 26-27, 2024 | Unexpected Farm (Wales, ME)
We are thrilled to welcome Lauren Sprieser back to Unexpected Farm for a third time! Lauren is a USDF Gold, Silver and Bronze Medalist ith Distinction and an international Grand Prix dressage competitor. Her enthusiasm and wit has made her a popular trainer, with students from the grassroots to the international levels in both dressage and eventing. We look forward to her expertise and clever way of teaching, as well as her keen eye for places for improvement.
Riding spots are full, but auditor passes are available. Email us at unexpectedfarmmaine@gmail.com to be added to a waitlist for riding spots.
clinic with
Tamie Smith
November 16-17, 2024 | Unexpected Farm (Wales, ME)
Join us as we welcome 2023 Kentucky Three Day winner Tamie Smith to Unexpected Farm! When it comes to riding and training, Tamie has a knack for developing difficult horses, reflecting her belief in the potential of every horse. Through her training program, Next Level Eventing, Tamie has trained horses up to the CCI5* level and has ambitions to represent the United States in future global competitions, demonstrating her deep commitment to the sport.
At Tamie’s core lies a fierce determination to leave a lasting legacy. Through her sport and awe-inspiring achievements, she aims to inspire future generations with the belief that anything is possible. Throughout her career, Tamie's achievements are vast: multiple placements on the United States Developing and Elite Rider List, participation in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games as the traveling reserve, team silver at the 2022 World Equestrian Games, winner at the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three Day 5*, and top rankings in numerous global events, including the Badminton 5* and the Maryland 5*.
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​Registration to ride will open closer to the clinic. Please check back later or sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date with clinic spot availability. Auditor passes are currently available.
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Past events
2023
Equine Affair
November 9-12 2023 at Eastern States Exposition (W. Springfield, MA)
Chelsea is a clinician at this year's Equine Affair! With a general admission pass, you can attend Chelsea's sessions and all clinics, seminars, and demonstrations. You will also have admission to the trade show, specialty pavilions, and competitions.
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This is an equestrian gathering you don't want to miss!
International Liberty Horse Festival
October 13-15, 2023 at Kenntucky Horse Park (Lexington, KY)
Join Chelsea in Kentucky as she presents at the International Liberty Horse Festival!
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During the three-day festival, you will have the opportunity to attend education sessions taught by the leading liberty clinicians, as well as attend a liberty showcase featuring Ben Atkinson and Dan James of Double Dan Horsemanship, top liberty performers.
A Weekend with
Lauren Sprieser​​
September 9-10, 2023 at Unexpected Farm (Wales, Maine)
We are thrilled to welcome Lauren Sprieser back to Unexpected Farm! She will be teaching private lessons focused on each horse and rider's needs.
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Lauren is a USDF Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medalist with Distinction and an international Grand Prix dressage competitor. Her enthusiasm and wit have made her a popular trainer with students from the grassroots to the international levels in both dressage and eventing.
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Lauren and her students have produced nine Grand Prix horses and 17 Prix St. Georges horses, as well as 22 USDF Bronze, 14 Silver and three Gold Medalists, many with Distinction.
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At this time, only auditor spots are available. Please contact Katie at unexpectedfarmmaine@gmail.com to be added to the waiting list for riding spots.
Liberty clinic with
Dan james
Aug 28 - Sept 1, 2023 at Unexpected Farm (Wales, Maine)
We’re excited to welcome Dan James back to Unexpected Farm for 3-day and 5-day liberty clinics!
About Dan
Dan is a world-renowned horseman, whose love of the horse guides his training and teaching. He holds multiple world championships in reining and colt starting and has been wowing crowds with his liberty freestyle performances for years.
He and his horses have worked in television and movie production, most famously, for the long-running show, Heartland. More details coming soon! Email us with questions and to reserve your spot.
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About the Clinic Options
For horses and handlers new to liberty, Dan will be teaching a 3-day liberty clinic. This is a fantastic introduction for those who have never done liberty work before.
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For horses and handlers with some prior liberty training, Dan will be teaching a 5-day clinic. This is an opportunity to work on more advanced training.
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Auditor passes are also available.
June 10-11, 2023 at Unexpected Farm (Wales, Maine)
Working Equitation Clinic with Stephanie Hayes
Working Equitation (WE) is the fastest growing equine sport in the US and is comprised of four trials – dressage, ease of handling (obstacles), speed, and cattle work.
This clinic is suitable for first time WE riders and for anyone with experience in the sport already. Both English and Western riders are welcome, as well as all breeds and gaited horses.
Option to participate in one or two days of the clinic.
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One day participates will focus on the ease of handling (EOH), basic rules, description and execution of obstacles, and course set up.
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Two day participates will focus on WE dressage based instruction and EOH on Saturday. On Sunday, participates will ride elements of the dressage test for their level and school an EOH course with feedback and scores.
Riders will be grouped in 2-hour sessions (no more than 4 riders per group).
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About Stephanie: Stephanie Hayes has been a professional in the horse industry for over two decades as a natural horsemanship clinician, trainer, and competitor. In 2017, she attended her first WE clinic and was inspired to incorporate the training benefits into her programs. Stephanie conducts clinics throughout the U.S., co-founded New England Working Equitation, Inc., is a USA WE Recognized Coach, USA WE "L" judge candidate, and serves on the USA WE Executive Committee. She has been awarded National and Regional Championships on several horses at Level 1 through 4, and coached her junior rider to National Championship honors.
Participants: $200 per day
Auditors: $20 per day
For questions and to register please contact Stephanie Hayes at vtblackpony@aol.com or 802-730-5400.
New England Spring Symposium
May 26-28, 2023 at Unexpected Farm (Wales, Maine)
Tik and Sinead Maynard will be joining us for the third annual New England Spring Symposium!
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This new three-day format allows us to offer a more personal experience for each horse and rider pair. Participants will have a semi-private lesson each day, with opportunities to ride with both Tik and Sinead.
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All participants have access to auditing the entire weekend as well as socials, demos, and talks as part of your clinic fee. Horse and rider pairs must be comfortable jumping. As we get a sense of rider levels and who will be participating, we will send out a schedule of events. Horse and rider pairs must be comfortable jumping 2 feet.
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Contact unexpectedfarmmaine@gmail.com to be added to the wait list for riding spots.