Magnolia Sands has two resident riding instructors, Allyson Rogers and Katlyn Hewson-Slezak. Read more about them below.
Allyson Rogers
Allyson Rogers brings her experience of working with many of the country's best dressage trainers and top horses to Ocala, Fl. She spent 10 years working with Olympian Steffen Peters, training here and in Europe. She accompanied him to the Olympics and other international competitions for many years. When staying in California, Ally was responsible for riding and schooling some of the most famous international dressage horses of that time, including 1996 Olympic Bronze Medalist Udon, owned by Lila Kommerstad, as well as her other famous horses Grandeur, Akeena, and the 2005 USET Intermediare I Champion, Luxor. Some other famous names are Anky van Grunsven's and Robert Dover's former Grand Prix horse, Eminent, and the wonderful Oldenberg stallion, Routinier, whom later came back to her in TN so she could continue showing him to great success. Ally also ran a prominent and successful business in the Memphis, TN area for 14 years, helping many students move up the levels and achieve their dressage goals, before moving to Ocala, Fl.
In addition to her extensive experience at FEI levels, she was known at Steffen's for bringing the young horses along through the levels and her patience with the babies. She has garnered much success with several young horses imported from Europe. Ally and her students have qualified and competed very successfully at the USDF Regionals Championships every year since her arrival in TN and in 2013 had an unprecedented 3 students (as well as herself) qualify for the inaugural National Finals in Lexington, Ky. Ally has students of all levels and takes great pride in the fact that her students, through their hard work and dedication, progress and advance through the levels. She has brought several riders from the lower levels up through the FEI, including to Grand Prix. All breeds and all levels of horses and riders are welcome! ALR Dressage is looking forward to working with new clients and horses here in the beautiful sunny Ocala, Fl and surrounding areas.
Katlyn Hewson-Slezak
Born and raised in Minden, Ontario, Katlyn developed a love of horses early in life and has never looked back. She began training in the sport of three-day Eventing at the age of twelve. At this time, she also acquired her first event horse, a nine year old Thoroughbred gelding “Without a Trace” who had previous upper level experience. It was this horse that taught her the ropes of the sport and fueled her passion for upper level competition. This pair had multiple wins together and competed successfully at the CCI* and CIC**. In addition to her busy competition schedule, she also successfully completed a diploma program at Seneca College and is a registered veterinary technician.
She now rides full-time and competes across North America on her rising prospects and more seasoned competition horses. In the last five years, Katlyn has had incredible success in the development of young horses. Most notably, she purchased Fernhill Cascum Marco in 2012 and competed him from the lower levels to the Advanced level. In 2015, Katlyn was the leading lady rider on the Ontario Horse Trials circuit, won the Ontario Championships and qualified for the Pan American Games with Marco. Her current partner, Fernhill Choco Royale, is competing at the CCI** level with multiple top 10 finishes. In 2021, Katlyn and Fernhill Choco Royale did their first CCI*** level with the goal of representing Team Canada in the coming years.
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2021- 6th with Fernhill Choco Royal at The Event at TerraNova CCI***S
2019 - 4th with Fernhill Choco Royale at the Carolina International CCI**S
2015 - Short-listed for the Pan American Games
2015- OHTA Leading Lady Rider
2015 - Open Intermediate Champion
Multiple top placing at the CCI**S, CCI**L, CCI***S and CCI***L
