HISTORY

The Professional Riders Organization was founded in 2009 by Phillip Dutton, Buck Davidson,  Allison Springer, Craig Thompson and Laura VanderVliet.  They were joined by twenty leading professionals who became part of the Founding Members Riders Advisory Board. Each of the Founding Members are accomplished Three-Day Event riders, who are dedicated to raising the profile of the sport of Eventing, broadening its reach with spectators and fans and working to promote horse and rider safety. In 2010, PRO was reorganized and incorporated as a non-profit trade association.

PHILLIP DUTTON

Phillip Dutton is a legend in the sport of eventing. A native of Australia and recipient of its Medal of the Order, Phillip has represented Australia in three Olympic Games and four world championships. He was a member of Australia’s Three-Day Eventing Team in both the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Olympics, winning gold medals in both. Phillip has been consistently recognized on the U.S. eventing circuit, wining the United States Eventing Association’s Leading Rider of the Year title in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. In 2005, Phillip was also named the Number One FEI World Event Rider. Phillip became an American citizen in 2006 and has represented the United States in the 2007 Pan American Games, winning both gold and silver medals, and the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Most recently, Phillip broke the “Rolex Hex” and won his first Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. In addition to competing, Phillip also coaches other riders, including the United States Area II Young Riders. Phillip and his wife, Evie, own and operate two farms: Red Oak Farm in Aiken, South Carolina and True Prospect Farm in West Grove, Pennsylvania. Visit Phillip's Web site at www.phillipdutton.com. 

LAURA VANDERVLIET

Laura VanderVliet has been riding and competing since her childhood.  After graduating from Cornell University, she relocated to California where she was introduced to eventing.  Her life-long passion developed into career opportunities as she proceeded to establish herself as a trainer and competitor throughout the west coast.  An offer to work as an assistant trainer to Scott Hassler at Hilltop Farm in Colora, MD confirmed Laura’s decision to return east and dedicate herself to eventing and training to compete at the elite levels.
She was introduced to Phillip Dutton in the mid-90’s and was able to spend the next eight years training and working for him gaining invaluable knowledge of conditioning, training and preparing horses for competition. Laura currently owns and operates Windward Stables based in Nottingham, PA.  Laura’s diverse background influences her event training today.  She has established herself as a strong presence in the sport as a trainer, competitor and valued horsewoman.  She currently competes throughout the East Coast and can be seen placing consistently at all levels of eventing novice through advanced. Visit Laura's Web site at www.lauravandervlieteventing.com.

ALLISON SPRINGER

Allison Springer has continually finished in the top ten on the Leading Rider board for The United States Eventing Association. She has been named multiple times to the United States Equestrian Team's High Performance and Developing Riders Lists and in 2009 was named to the USET Training List. In 2008 Allison's two advanced horses, Destination Known and Arthur, earned special recognitions for their numerous accomplishments. Destination Known was USEA Reserve Champion Horse of the Year; Arthur competed at The World Cup Final in Deauville, France where he finished 21st. Visit Allison's Web site at www.allisonspringer.com.

BUCK DAVIDSON

Buck Davidson has consistently been one of America's top event riders since representing the United States at the 1999 Pan American Games. Since then he has enjoyed wins at the Jersey Fresh CCI***, the Bromont CCI**, and the Red Hills CIC**. In 2004, he was Short Listed for the World Equestrian Games and in 2008 was an Alternate for the Olympic Games. Buck spends November through April at his farm in Ocala, FL. Visit Buck's Web site at www.buckdavidsoneventing.com.

CRAIG THOMPSON

Craig Thompson has been riding and training horses professionally for most of his life. Both Craig and his students have placed consistently well at every level of competition. In 2008 Craig finished in the top three at every level of competition from Beginner Novice through Advanced. Long known for starting quality young horses, in 2005 and 2006 Craig won first and second finishes at back-to-back Virginia CCI* Young Horse Classes. In addition to his accolades for riding and coaching, Craig is also an experienced horse trials organizer. In 2004, Craig started the Surefire Horse Trials in Virginia to rave reviews. In its second year, the Surefire Horse Trials expanded and hosted over 600 horses. In 2006 he started the Maryland Horse Trials;  in 2008 he and Sarah Heffron hosted the first Aiken Event Horse Sale at their own Shadow Lane Farm. Craig also owns and operates his own business, Craig Thompson Eventing, which is recognized as one of the most prestigious training facilities for both riders and horses. Visit Craig's Web site at www.craigthompsoneventing.com.