Hana Poulin Dressage & Driving LLC, 103 Old Nottingham Road, Epping, NH (2026)

All levels welcome — from beginners to advanced riders. Check us out on www.moonlightequestriancenter.net HANA'S EQUINE EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Hana learned to ride growing up on her parent’s horse farm, Highland Dressage, in Falmouth, Maine. Hana started riding at around 4 years old and her principal instructors were her mother, Michal Rogers Gould and her father, Lawrence Poulin. Both parents are award winning dressage and driving recipients. Hana’s paternal family also includes Michael Poulin, Bronze Medalist for the USA Olympic Team in 1992. Hana’s mother has been the recipient of numerous award for dressage and carriage driving competitions and has guided Hana through her teenage and adult years of dressage and driving competitions. HANA’S EXPERIENCE
As a child, Hana trained her Welsh Cob pony, Panadama Merri Bell, “Cricket”, in driving and riding. Together they competed in pleasure driving and single pony combined driving in the USA and Canada. The pair was awarded the Canadian classic Best Junior Driver and New England Welsh Cob champion. Cricket and Hana also won the combined driving reserve Champion at the Laurels in Unionville, Pa. Until recently Cricket was with Hana and was used as a school master pony for riding and driving. Unfortunately, Cricket passed away in September of 2020 at the age of 31. Hana graduated from Unity College in 2006, and considered a career in environmental science but horses were in her blood. In 2011, Hana made her FEI debut earning her United States Dressage Federation, USDF, Bronze and Silver Medals. In 2012 Hana purchased Agamemnon Da Raposa, ‘Agi’ an 8 year old Lusitano imported from Brazil. New England Dressage Association (NEDA) championship awards with Agi include fifth place at First Level Adult Amateur (AA), sixth place at Second Level Open, second place at Third Level Open, fourth place at Fourth Level NEDA Championships Sweepstakes Open Class. The pair plans to continue to compete in 2021 at the FEI level. To better understand all aspects of dressage both, performance and judging, Hana started the ‘L’ judge program. In 2014 Hana started working with Sable Oak Equestrian Center and Sherrye Johnson-Trafton. Here Hana worked as an assistant trainer, riding instructor and driving instructor. This ongoing experience has taught her the basics of Western Riding, among many other things. Continuing her passion for dressage Hana trained numerous horses and ponies of various breeds to drive single, as a pair and under saddle in and out of Sable Oak Equestrian Center. Hana competed a 4 year old green broke Fjord gelding, named Brittas Chance, owned by Melanie and Clint Wallace of Whispering Willow Fjords Farm, located in Woolwich Maine. Chance was a pony with little to no training for driving or riding. Under Hana’s tutelage for a period of one month, Chance and Hana were awarded single pony champion at The Maine Event located in Skowhegan Maine in 2015. In Tunica, Mississippi Hana competed with Mimosa and Flirtini, a gypsy pair owned by Bob and Kate Reed of Dungarvan Feather Farm located in Connecticut. The gypsy pair won all classes they were entered in. One class entered was a versatility class. The driving pair versatility challenge included going over a tarp, maneuvering through cones and opening a mailbox. Hana created her own business Hana Poulin Dressage & Driving LLC in 2016. During this time Hana continued to travel throughout Maine and New England helping clients with riding and driving instruction or other equine assistance. In 2017 Hana leased a portion of Sable Oak Equestrian Center where she built a successful boarding, training and lesson program. After building such a successful program that encompassed Mid-coast and Southern Maine Hana decided to purchase a farm with Jessica S. Matson in Epping, New Hampshire. July of 2019 Moonlight Equestrian Center was established. Hana’s facilities at Moonlight Equestrian Center, includes a full size indoor arena, with an accompanying outside arena. Two barns housing 16 stalls. There 3 run out sheds all on eleven acres of land of which 8 acres are dedicated to pasture. The center has access to trails ponds and lovely gardens. Hana is known as the “Mary Poppins” of horse training. She is constantly looking for the causes of any equine difficulty in temperament, feeding, care, and/or training, among others. She finds creative and working solutions to solve these and many other horse related issues. EQUINE TRAINING AND INSTRUCTION
Hana has trained with various recognized equestrian instructors and continues to reach out with additional learning and instruction from outstanding dressage experts. The following are the name and some of accomplishments of her instructors
Larry Poulin: 10 time USA Team member at World Driving Pair Combined Championships. Won the United States Equestrian Team, USET, Championships, 8 times. Larry has been on the USA team having traveled with the team and family to Germany, Austria, Hungary, England and Poland

Michael Poulin: Member 1992 OUS Equestrian Olympic team. Bronze medal at Barcelona Olympic Games 1992. Founder of the North American dressage Trainers Association. Member of the international Association of Dressage Trainers. Helped establish Classical Dressage Riders Association. Trains nationally and internationally as an “I” rated dressage judge and dressage coach. Rodrigo de Matos: Director Portuguese School of Equestrian Art. Noted worldwide trainer. Bill Warren: Bill is an FEI 4* USEF 'S' Dressage Judge, and USDF Gold Medalist. Works with riders and horses from training to Grand Prix level. Bill McMullen: USEF 'R' Dressage Judge, a USDF Gold Medalist, and a USDF
Certified Instructor and Faculty member. Works with horses and riders from training to Grand Prix level. Michelle Gibson: USA Olympic Dressage team Bronze medalist, 1996 Atlanta Olympics. German “Golden Rider Medal” presented at the 1996 Olympics by the President of the German National Federation. First American rider to earn this award. First time awarded out of Germany. L’Annee Hippique awarded 5th Place Rider in the World
Appointed as a member of the State of Georgia’s Commission on Women Sports Trailblazers (1995)
2008 USEF Intermidiarie National Champion
2007 USEF Young Horse Dressage Championship Developing Horse National Champion 2006 USET Foundation Festival of Champions USEF National Intermediare Champion
L’Annee Hippique “Top 20 in the World”
Licensed by German Federation to ride at Grand Prix level in Germany
U.S. Olympic Committee's Female Equestrian if the Year

George Williams: Dressage education with Egon von Neindorff in Germany. Mentored by Karl Mikolka,
Rode and trained at Tempel Lipizzans for 20 years, program director for 13. Won numerous championships, was fifth place at the 2003 World Cup in Sweden, team bronze at CHIO Aachen in 2005 and USDF Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle Horse of the Year. Gwyneth McPherson: USDF Bronze, Silver & Gold Medalist,
30+ years’ experience competing, training, and teaching dressage. With 3 US Olympians (Lendon Gray, Carol Lavell & Michael Poulin) as mentors,
Unique perspective and wealth of knowledge to share. Ribbon winner at regional and national championships since 1984,
Skilled teacher to both riders and horses, from young horses to Grand Prix.

09/16/2026

Happy Kiche Wednesday! 🐴💖

Last week, we shared how some Miniature Horses are trained as guide horses. But did you know that specially trained Minis also visit hospitals, schools, libraries, and other facilities as therapy animals?

These little horses learn some very big skills. They may ride in elevators, walk calmly across unfamiliar floors, carefully navigate around medical equipment, and remain composed around alarms and other unexpected noises.

Some therapy Minis even wear miniature hoof boots to give them extra traction on slippery floors. They look like tiny sneakers—but they help the horses do an important job safely! 👟🐴

Therapy horses and service horses have different roles, but both demonstrate how intelligent, adaptable, and willing Miniature Horses can be. 💛

What do you think: would Kiche step confidently into an elevator, or would he need to inspect it first? 😄

Interested in horseback riding? Learn more about our riding lessons at moonlightequestriancenter.net.

Fact sources: Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses and Mini Therapy Horses.

09/15/2026

Last week’s Tip of the Day was about The Balanced Seat. This week, let’s put that idea into practice with a simple exercise: find the floor of your seat.

At the walk, notice the triangular area formed by your two seat bones and p***c bone. Allow that area to follow your horse’s back without moving more than your horse moves. Keep your head balanced over your spine and look ahead.

Once you can feel the rhythm, use a small change in your seat to ask for slightly longer or shorter steps—without gripping or pulling. The goal is to follow passively when you are not asking for a change, so your intentional aids become clearer when you are.

Sometimes, doing less allows your horse to feel more. 💙

09/09/2026

Happy Kiche Wednesday! 🐴💖

Mini Horse Fact: Some Miniature Horses are specially trained to guide people who are blind or have low vision.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, dogs are formally defined as service animals—but there is a specific federal provision for individually trained Miniature Horses that perform disability-related work. Public places must make reasonable accommodations for those horses when appropriate.

It is a beautiful reminder that a small horse can have a very big purpose. 💛 Kiche's work is riding and driving lessons, confidence-building, snack inspection, and supervising the barn—but he shows us every day how intelligent, willing, and capable a Miniature Horse can be.

Small horse. Big heart. Important work.

Did you know some Miniature Horses can be trained as guide horses?

To learn more about our riding and driving programs, visit www.moonlightequestriancenter.net ✨

Fact source: U.S. Department of Justice, ADA Requirements: Service Animals (see “Miniature Horses”): https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-2010-requirements/

09/08/2026

Last week we talked about the place where two spines meet — the connection between horse and rider. This week, we are looking at what helps create that connection: the balanced seat.

A balanced seat has three important parts:

The flexible floor: a supple seat that can follow the horse’s movement.

Supple strength: enough stability to stay centered, without becoming stiff or restrictive.

Building blocks: feet, seat, and upper body organized one over the other so the rider stays balanced.

When these pieces work together, the rider can follow more quietly, use the aids more clearly, and help the horse move freely. A balanced seat is not about looking perfect — it is about creating a better conversation with your horse. 💙

We are sharing the full explanation on the blog . Read the complete article at https://www.moonlightequestriancenter.net/blog/the-balanced-seat-three-building-blocks-for-a-better-connection-with-your-horse
and let us know: what helps you find your best balance in the saddle?

09/02/2026

Happy Kiche Wednesday! 🐴💖

Kiche’s mom made him another brain-teaser toy—and this one comes with a delicious challenge! 🥕 some bailing twine, a few carrots, and one very determined mini horse are all it takes to turn snack time into a serious enrichment exercise.

Kiche stretched, chased, grabbed, and tried his very best to outsmart those swinging carrots. Just when he thought he had one figured out, the rope pulled it right back! 😄 He may be small, but his focus and determination are absolutely enormous.

Homemade enrichment toys are a wonderful way to keep horses entertained and mentally engaged. Kiche’s mom clearly knows that the best puzzles are the ones you can eat!

Would your horse patiently solve the puzzle—or simply try to eat the entire toy? 🥕🐴

09/01/2026

I’ve been reflecting on Beth Baumert’s When Two Spines Align: Dressage Dynamics and her explanation of the rider’s long leg.

A long leg is not about forcing the heel down or gripping the horse’s side. It is about creating a grounded, supple connection that gives the horse a clear place to step under. When the rider’s leg is quietly present, the horse can organize his balance around it and step more actively beneath the rider.

The goal is not to say, “Go faster.” It is to say, “Step here, carry yourself, and stay balanced.”

Today’s reminder: Keep the leg long, the ankle soft, and the aid clear. Give the horse the confidence to step into the space your leg creates.

Inspired by Beth Baumert’s When Two Spines Align: Dressage Dynamics.

Address

103 Old Nottingham Road
Epping, NH
03042

Telephone

+12072000308

Website

http://www.moonlightequestriancenter.net/

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