On-line Demo Rider applications open July 1, 2025 and close August 4, 2025. Applicants must be (or become) a NEDA Member to apply. The selection committee is looking for all levels of horses from young 5 and 6 year olds to Grand Prix. All applications will be reviewed by a panel of no fewer than three people, at least two of whom will be either USEF ‘S’ or FEI Judges. That panel will make their recommendations to Gareth Hughes, who will approve of the final selection of horse and rider combinations, including reserve spots. Applications will be accepted through an online process only; no mailed in applications will be accepted. The quality of your video will greatly impact your application! Do NOT use a device without zoom in capability.
If you are thinking of being a demonstration rider, we highly suggest that riders, owners and grooms/guest should purchase tickets as soon as possible. If you are selected, two tickets associated with your rider application will be refunded within 2 weeks of the rider selection process being completed. Make accommodations now with your favorite hotel, VRBO or B&B as the weekend is already booking up.
About Gareth Hughes:
Born in Britain Gareth spent his youth in Australia competing in a variety of equine sports including Dressage, In-hand showing and the Western disciplines. After returning to Britain, he developed a freelance business where he was mentored by Stephen Clarke among others. In 2001, he set up his own yard and later with his wife Rebecca, moved to Warwickshire, where in 2011 Hughes Dressage was born.
Gareth medaled at the 2014 World Equestrian Games (Team Silver) and at the 2022 World Equestrian Games (Team Silver) and competed at the European Championships in 2013 (Team Bronze, 2019, 2021 (Team Silver) and in 2023 (Team Gold). His international experience is highlighted with over 60 National and International titles, and he has been a member of the British world class podium squad with numerous Nations Cup wins.
Gareth was a member of the British team for the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, as the Team GBR Reserve. In addition to his competitive career, Gareth also served as the Australian Eventing Dressage coach from 2012-2019, and from 2016-2019 was the Swiss Dressage Technical Advisor. At the Paris Olympics in 2024, Gareth coached the New Zealand Eventing team and was Carl Hester’s coach for the British dressage team.
Demonstration Riders Needed for the Absorbine / NEDA Symposium with Gareth Hughes
October 18 & 19, 2025
Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center, South Hadley, MA
NEDA is honored to welcome Gareth Hughes back for an encore performance on October 18th & 19th, 2025. The event will be held at the picturesque Equestrian Center at Mount Holyoke College, in South Hadley, MA. NEDA is pleased to welcome your application to be a demonstration rider. Gareth‘s systematic approach to training focuses on quality fundamentals and the development of harmony. He can solve problems and get to the heart of the training issues that develop without overwhelming the horse or rider.
Some Topics to be covered include:
Quotes from riders:
Gareth is a clear precise teacher with the ability to make concepts reachable step by step. He is probably most gifted at creating a harmonious partnership with the horse that makes the work look easy and in self-carriage. He is recognized as a master in training the pirouettes. His teaching can be previewed on the Ridely app, Clip My Horse and on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aHBu3COysw
Demonstration riders will be asked to perform in front of an audience of 500 auditors. The focus of a symposium is the education of the audience rather than completion of a set of criteria on a rider’s agenda. Riders should be open to the clinician’s techniques and come with a willing attitude and great flexibility. An integral part of the symposium, the demonstration riders and horses are key to the success of the event.
In search of the following horses:
The selection committee is looking for all levels of horses from young 5 and 6 year olds to Grand Prix. Young horses: 4, 5 or 6-year-old’s should be capable of showing the qualities to look for in dressage prospects and that have been well started in their training in the style of the Young Horse classes. The young horses need not have competed in the FEI Young Horse classes but should have equivalent competency level.
The other levels of horses should have rhythmic gaits and competitive experience at the various levels. Pairs should show harmony of horse and rider in their training approach. A video of a complete test must be uploaded to YouTube and a link or screen shot provided of cumulative competition scores. If your horse has talents to highlight beyond the test shown, you may show a short segment of this talent i.e. (piaffe/ passage). The mature horses will highlight training techniques from Second Level through Grand Prix.
All riders should have competition experience through a minimum third level.
Horse and rider combinations will receive: 2 auditor passes (one for rider and second for groom/guest): An introductory ride on Friday and 2 demonstration rides under Gareth Hughes with no lesson fee; 2 lunch passes each day; and an experience of a lifetime. A facility/ stabling fee of $300 will be charged on acceptance to the symposium. This fee includes stabling (Thursday – Sunday), 6 bags of shavings and stall stripping fee.
Here are the details on applying:
The selection criteria will include gaits, harmony of horse and rider and previous competition record. Please make sure your video is high quality with the horse easily visible and shot with a steady camera. We do not recommend cell phone handheld videos. Poor quality video could adversely affect your selection. All applications will be reviewed by a panel of no fewer than three people, at least two of whom will be either USEF ‘S’ or FEI Judges. That panel will make their recommendations to Gareth Hughes, who will approve the final selection of horse and rider combinations, including reserve spots. The selection process should be completed by early September with riders announced mid-September.
For further information contact Beth Beukema, Symposium Organizer: fallsym@neda.org or beukemab@neda.org
Good luck with your application and remember, this will be a highly sought-after opportunity!
