About Me
My name is Sadie Buchenau and I was born and raised below Topanga Canyon just outside of Los Angeles, California. At about age seven I received a trail ride in the mountains as a Christmas gift, and from there the rest was history. After about a year of playing around in western saddles, at 8 years old I decided I wanted to learn how to jump and found my way to Mill Creek Equestrian Center in the heart of the canyon. That year my Christmas present was “A year of free lessons from Santa.” Thanks, Santa!
Mill Creek became my stomping grounds for the next decade and was the pinnacle of my formative riding years. Its founder and creator, Cory Walkey, is a legend amongst her students and those who know her, and I consider her my mentor and greatest teacher to this day. An ambassador of US eventing and prominent horsewoman, she taught generation after generation of students to not only ride, but ride well.
Mill Creek was the type of riding school we all wish we grew up in. Groups of kids of all ages and experience levels came together to teach each other the ropes…
Mill Creek was the type of riding school we all wish we grew up in. Groups of kids of all ages and experience levels came together to teach each other the ropes, stood side by side in support of one another but were also each others’ fiercest competition. 35 of the best school horses one could imagine, ranging from small and naughty to large and magnificent. We moved up the levels and graduated from natural horsemanship coaches to equitation trainers, to dressage lessons and 3 day eventing competitions.
Around age nine I started spending every spare minute at the barn, helping out and doing chores to gain as much saddle time as possible. At age 12 I got my first horse, Gypsy, who took me to my first wins and taught me what it felt like to be draped in blue ribbons. After Gypsy was sold and passed down to the next generation at the barn, my family purchased Puddles. Puddles was a 5 year old OTTB who became my heart horse through and through. We worked our way through the levels together, placing in the top 3 in 14/17 competitions in our time together and becoming area VI champion on multiple occasions. Puddles taught me the true definition of perseverance and passion.
Working Student
At 17 I entered a hybrid homeschooling program so that I could focus on riding. I attended school for choir and vocal programs, directed an A Cappella group, and spent the rest of my time at the barn. That year I made the decision to further my studies as a working student in Germany and flew with my father across the pond to interview with some of my biggest role models. To my surprise and pride, I was offered a position at each facility I attended and ultimately made the decision to take an internship position with the renowned Andreas Dibowski.
After high school I moved to Germany and spent more than a year learning to be the ultimate working student. I learned the ins and outs of a top-level eventing stable and visited some of the most prestigious competitions throughout Europe. I groomed to the highest level, worked alongside some of the most prominent professionals in the industry, and rode some of the best horses in the world on a daily basis. When my internship came to an end I returned to the states and began teaching and training at my childhood stable, Mill Creek.
apprenticeship
I spent the next two years gathering experience in the field before deciding to return to Germany and complete the Bereiter FN program. In 2017 I returned to work for Dibo and started my apprenticeship. I spent the next two and a half years working under him and then continued the remainder of my apprenticeship gathering knowledge from a multitude of other professionals in the industry.
I worked for a Grand Prix dressage rider and multiple members of the German Olympic teams; an award-winning breeding operation in Holstein run by a Grand Prix showjumping rider; a rehabilitation facility operated by the Olympic team Osteopath, etc.
Photo by Zawody Barborowko.
Throughout my time in Germany, I was able to receive an incomparable education and expand my knowledge…
I finished my degree and completed the examination process in 2020, the week the pandemic hit. At the time I was in a relationship with an Olympic rider from Spain and ran a training facility with about 20 horses.
During the pandemic I refined my skills as an educator and manager, training groups of interns and running the operation from within, competing, teaching, and learning about myself.
Throughout my time in Germany, I was able to receive an incomparable education and expand my knowledge on maintaining a professional program, starting young horses and properly developing an athlete through the upper levels of competition.
Aiken
In 2022, I made the move to Aiken, South Carolina. Here in Aiken, I have been digging my heels in and establishing a foundation for growth. My ultimate dream is to share the knowledge I have been gifted with and gathered and help as many horses and humans as I can along the way.
Testimonials
“Wow! My horse was SO HAPPY under saddle tonight! And the way his left hind came under during part of our trot was insane! His back felt entirely different! I’m literally flabbergasted and my jaw dropped multiple times!”
Kirsten LaVassar
“If you’re looking for a talented trainer to help improve the effectiveness of your seat and to help your horse develop pure gaits and a correct top line, I highly recommend Sadie Buchenau.”
Maria Glinksy
Get in Touch
Please contact me if you’d like to set up a session or discuss a potential program for you and your horse. I look forward to hearing from you!
803-961-0113
sadie@equestrizen.co
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