Phyllis Dawson and Albany II representing the United States
at the Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea, 1988.
Follow this link to read about her Olympic Memories.

EVENTING WITH PHYLLIS DAWSON  

Phyllis Dawson – Olympic Event Rider & Founder of Windchase

     Phyllis Dawson competed internationally for more than 25 years, representing the United States at major championships around the world. She rode for Team USA at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, finishing 10th overall—the highest-placed American in the Three-Day Event. After a long and successful international career, she founded Windchase in Hillsboro, Virginia, where she now focuses on teaching, coaching, and developing horses and riders.
     Phyllis is certified at Level V—the highest level—by the USEA Eventing Coaches Program and serves as an ECP Faculty member. NEW: She also serves on the USEF Selection Committee, helping choose U.S. teams for the Olympic Games, World Championships, and other international competitions.

     Phyllis grew up in Great Falls, Virginia, and has been devoted to horses since childhood—starting with the pony she found under the Christmas tree at age four. She was active in 4-H, showed Hunters, foxhunted from age twelve, and earned her Pony Club ‘A’ rating with Reston Pony Club (now Difficult Run). After graduating from Herndon High School, she completed the Advanced Horsemasters Course at Potomac Horse Center and became a working student for legendary Event rider Bruce Davidson, continuing to train with him for more than twenty years.
     Phyllis began Eventing in 1973 and reached the Advanced level in 1977 with Freedom Flight, a horse she developed herself. Her international career took off at Boekelo CCI* in 1985, where she rode Mountain High on the winning American team. In 1987 she placed 2nd at Chesterland CCI* on Albany II, then finished 6th at the 1988 Olympic Selection Trials, earning her place on the Olympic team.
     At the Seoul Olympic Games, Phyllis and Albany II delivered a clear cross-country round on an exceptionally demanding course to finish 10th in the world—a personal best and a career highlight.

     Phyllis continued to compete successfully at the top level for many years. She has ridden around the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event more than twenty times, completed the prestigious **Burghley CCI******, and won Three-Day Events at Radnor, Essex, North Georgia, Checkmate, and Bromont. She has won the Advanced division at Morven Park six times, and her wins and high placings across the U.S. and abroad are extensive. She was named USCTA Leading Lady Rider in 1992 and topped the FEI Land Rover World Rider Rankings (North American section) in 1997.

      In 1997 and 1998, Phyllis competed in England with the USET, riding at Blenheim CCI, the Scottish Open Championships at Thirlestane Castle, the British Open Championships at Gatcombe Park, and Bramham CCI. She again represented the United States at the 1997 Open European Championships at Burghley, finishing 19th out of more than 90 starters after a clear, fast cross-country round.

     Throughout her career, Phyllis trained and produced many successful Event horses. She values the partnership built through correct basics, thoughtful progression, and mutual trust—a philosophy she continues today while focusing on developing top-quality young horses and guiding riders through their training and competitive goals.
     At Windchase, Phyllis offers an outstanding selection of talented prospects and Event Horses for Sale, all correctly started and well produced. Windchase also accepts horses of all levels for schooling and training, and provides top‑quality instruction for riders of every discipline. For more information, visit our Boarding and Training pages.
     Windchase is ideally located near excellent competitions throughout USEA Area II. Whether you need occasional schooling or full competition preparation, we can help you and your horse be ready to perform at your best. Join the Windchase Team and experience world‑class training in a welcoming, professional environment.