Aaron Wilson

Aaron Wilson was born in Southern Illinois and began working with horses at the early age of 12. From the age of 5 until he left home, Aaron and his family owned and maintained a small horse farm. During High School, Aaron was able to get a working internship at a local Arabian horse breeder. He began showing Arabians in Class A competitions at the age of 15 and continued to work professionally in the Arabian circuit for 10 years.

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Aaron Wilson
Posted by Stable Express

In his mid-twenties, Aaron came across a Holstein horse named Calgary and a Breeder of sport horses and USEF judge, Arlene Rigdon. Deemed a notorious bucker and problem horse, Aaron was able to ride and train him. Arlene offered Aaron a job and so began Aaron`s dressage career.

Aaron was Arlene`s breeding manager and young horse trainer for 5 years. He showed horses in hand and under saddle for 5 American Holsteiner Horse Association approvals. Arlene was the one who taught me to ride in the moment. She taught me to focus on what was happening in the moment instead of riding for what I wanted.

Aaron then left Arlene`s for a head trainer position at Woodridge Farm in Claremore, Oklahoma. During his two years at Woodridge Farm, Aaron secured many High Point and Year End Awards for Region 9 with the horses and clients of Woodridge Farm. Most notably, Aaron trained the Oldenburg Stallion, Wradar from Second Level to competing successfully at Prix St. George. Aaron competed Wradar in the 2001 Florida show season and trained with Master Horse Trainer, Jochen Hippenstiel while there. They were Prix St. George Reserve Champions in the 2001 Palm Beach Derby.

Aaron Wilson also oversaw the training young horses for approval presentation for both the American Hanoverian Society and the Oldenburg Society. Aaron trained many young horses for in hand and under saddle presentations, including jumping and dressage.

From Oklahoma to Tennesse, Aaronâ€™s next stop was Massar Stables in Arlington, Tennesse. Owned by Kathy and Bill Massey, Aaron began training out of their barn in June of 2001. He coached their daughter, Mary Claire to an individual Silver Medal in the 2001 Championship Des Americas in Montreal. During this time, Aaron acquired Bill du Grand Champ, a 17 hand, 12 year old, Selle Francais gelding who was quite rusty in his FEI work. Taking his time, Aaron re-schooled Bill and competed him successfully at Intermediare I, II and the Grand Prix and achieved his USDF Gold Medal.

Aaron then accepted a head trainer position for Iron Horse Ranch in Malibu, California and moved in September of 2002. During his time at Iron Horse, many of the riders and horses accomplished high point and year end awards, especially at the FEI levels. Three riders acquired their Silver Medal under his tutelage.

Aaron is currently training out of Southland Farms in Agoura, CA. He conducts riding clinics in California and the Midwest. During the last 10 years, Aaron has been able to clinic with great trainers like Jochen Hippenstiel, Harry Boldt and Kathleen Raine.