Demonstration Riders Needed for the Absorbine / NEDA Symposium with Gareth Hughes
October 18 & 19, 2025
Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center, South Hadley, MA
Gareth Hughes is back for an encore performance and 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:
On-line Demo Rider application deadline extended to August 11, 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. Demonstration riders will be asked to perform in front of an audience of auditors, so the ability to follow the clinician’s techniques quickly and effectively is a requisite. Riders must have competitive experience at third level or above. The focus of a symposium is the education of the audience. An integral part of the symposium, the demonstration riders and horses are key to the success of the event.
Demonstration riders should submit a complete test from halt to halt at the level they are applying for in the symposium. Also submit what training techniques you would like Gareth to address at the symposium.
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. Horse and rider combinations will receive: 2 auditor passes (one for rider and second for groom/guest): Two demonstration rides under Gareth Hughes with no lesson fee; 2 lunch passes each day; 2 tickets to the Meet and Greet reception on Friday late afternoon; and an experience of a lifetime. A facility Use/ stabling fee of $400. will be charged on acceptance to the symposium.
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. Make accommodations now with your favorite hotel, VRBO or B&B as the weekend is already booking up. Chicopee, and Springfield are a short distance away as the five college area books very quickly. Good luck to all applicants, we wish we could select you all.
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!
On-line Demo Rider applications deadline extended to August 11, 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.
