Philesha Chandler, the head trainer at Chandler Dressage Inc., has been riding since the age of 8. As the winner of Robert Dover's reality TV show, "The Search for America's Next Equestrian Star: Dressage", she had the opportunity to be Robert Dover's assistant trainer for a year. A life forming experience, she embraced the knowledge and skills acquired and chance to learn with the Olympian. Philesha went on to become the assistant trainer for Arlene "Tuny" Page at Stillpoint Farm where she continued to learn and grow as a rider. With many of the top riders in the nation training at the Stillpoint Farms facilities, she was fortunate to be able to learn and ride with some of the best riders and trainers the US has to offer. During her time in Florida, she also worked as a flat rider for Show Jumper, Kent Farrington.
Over the years Philesha has been offered the opportunities to work with a host of quality national and international riders and trainers, including Oded Shimoni, Lisa Wilcox, Minna Telde, Conrad Schumacher and Dorothy "Dottie" Morkis.
Over the years Philesha has been offered the opportunities to work with a host of quality national and international riders and trainers, including Oded Shimoni, Lisa Wilcox, Minna Telde, Conrad Schumacher and Dorothy "Dottie" Morkis.
Philesha's goal is for Chandler Dressage to provide quality training, lessons and dressage horses to the dressage world. Philesha Chandler was born on September 7, 1981 in Tampa Florida.
For the first several years, she rode school horses and at the age of thirteen became owner of her first horse, Emerson, a 3 year old Thoroughbred gelding. She was able to show Emerson successfully through Second Level. However, as she grew, she needed a larger mount and acquired Marsel. Marsel was a 5 year old, Trakehner gelding by Abdullah. Philesha owned Marsel for 10 years. Together, Philesha and Marsel enjoyed show success, not the least of which was earning her Bronze and Silver medals from the United States Dressage Federation. In 2006, Philesha was offered the “Perfect Home” for Marsel. She has since acquired two talented horses, and looks forward to a great future with them.
Philesha is a graduate of Wichita State University. She earned a degree in Bachelor of Arts, concentrating in the areas of Criminal Justice, Sociology and Women’s Studies. Philesha manages a barn throughout the week as well as rides and shows horses for clients.She lived in Tampa until the age of three when she went to Pontiac, Michigan to live with her paternal grandparents. As her grandmother was a teacher, Philesha moved as her grandmother pursued public school positions, first in Benton Harbor, Michigan in 1985; then in Wichita, Kansas in 1988.
Philesha’s love of horses began long before she ever had any formal training. It was in Wichita, Kansas, at the age of eight, that Philesha began lessons with Lydia Wainwright. It wasn’t until later in her career that she discovered the sport of dressage. Though no one in her family was familiar with the sport, Philesha was determined to pursue this exciting activity.
For the first several years, she rode school horses and at the age of thirteen became owner of her first horse, Emerson, a 3 year old Thoroughbred gelding. She was able to show Emerson successfully through Second Level. However, as she grew, she needed a larger mount and acquired Marsel. Marsel was a 5 year old, Trakehner gelding by Abdullah. Philesha owned Marsel for 10 years. Together, Philesha and Marsel enjoyed show success, not the least of which was earning her Bronze and Silver medals from the United States Dressage Federation. In 2006, Philesha was offered the “Perfect Home” for Marsel. She has since acquired two talented horses, and looks forward to a great future with them.
Philesha is a graduate of Wichita State University. She earned a degree in Bachelor of Arts, concentrating in the areas of Criminal Justice, Sociology and Women’s Studies. Philesha manages a barn throughout the week as well as rides and shows horses for clients.She lived in Tampa until the age of three when she went to Pontiac, Michigan to live with her paternal grandparents. As her grandmother was a teacher, Philesha moved as her grandmother pursued public school positions, first in Benton Harbor, Michigan in 1985; then in Wichita, Kansas in 1988.
Philesha’s love of horses began long before she ever had any formal training. It was in Wichita, Kansas, at the age of eight, that Philesha began lessons with Lydia Wainwright. It wasn’t until later in her career that she discovered the sport of dressage. Though no one in her family was familiar with the sport, Philesha was determined to pursue this exciting activity.
