Our Clients

Stacey Hastings Dressage
"Dr. Travis Blackwelder has been my vet for 8 years. As a professional, its very important to have team work to maintain quality and competitive horses. Dr. Blackwelder is a critical part of my team! His intelligence and cutting edge techniques amaze me every time. More importantly though, is his preventative care. He is 100% on top of everything which is what keeps my horses safe and sound. He truly loves the horses and is very compassionate about his work. I truly recommend him to any one with any horse who wants the BEST care avaible." Stacey Hastings education in dressage has been influenced most significantly by her trainer and coach of 20 years, Olympic Dressage team bronze medallist Michael Poulin. She has also been fortunate enough to study with other international caliber trainers such as Rudolf Zeilinger, Lars Petersen, Dietrich von Hopfgarten, Gunnar Ostergaard, and Kenneth Dyrby and many others. Stacey has trained & competed a number of horses through the FEI levels during her career, and has had many successful students as well. Stacey Hastings trains out of the dressage facility, Finncastle Farms, located in Mooresville, NC.

Growing up in Holland, Jules began riding at an early age. After graduating from law school he moved to France to attend the Ecole Nationale d’Equitation (Cadre Noir), in Saumur. He was the first foreign delegate to join the school at the time. He received his instructor’s course, and remained at the school as assistant to the National Team Coach for more than three years, providing assistance in preparing the French Team horses and riders. Jules also competed himself during that time with the French Eventing team. In the fall of 1983, Jules moved to the United States and competed in both Eventing and Dressage, riding at Rolex, winning the Georgia Three Day Event, and narrowly missing the opportunity to compete at the Barcelona Olympics due to an injury. During this time Jules became widely sought for his coaching abilities, helping many event riders with their flatwork, including Karen O’Connor, Mike Bloom, the Davidsons, Sally Clark, Nina Fout, Rob Stevenson, and Karen Stives, who won individual silver and team gold medals on Ben Arthur at the Los Angeles Olympics. To date, athletes coached by Jules have won a total of four medals. Today Jules concentrates his career in Dressage, where he has trained a number horses to the Grand Prix level. His show record speaks for itself, with horses at all levels winning at some of the most prestigious events in the country. Jules has won many national and regional awards, including the 1995 USDF Region 1 Rider of the Year. Jules has tremendous respect and understanding for the horses, likely the guiding principles that have enabled such widespread success with many different types of horses across two major disciplines. Jules trains out of Stonegate Farm owned by Jennifer Brinkley. Visit his website

Statesville Equine Clinic - Clients and News

Stacey Hastings

Jules Nyssen

Westwind Stables