Hope Beerling riding her five-year-old mare (Escamillo x Florencio). Image by Jessica Buehler Photography.
After nearly six years working under Catherine Haddad Staller and with NorCordia, Australian dressage rider Hope Beerling is embracing the next chapter in her career and going independent – with LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 on the radar.
Hope Beerling representing Australia at a Nations Cup event earlier this year with NorCordia’s Dean Martin. Image by Susan J Stickle Photography.
Hope Beerling was born in the saddle on the family farm in Cooroy, Queensland, and started her competitive career at age six in the show ring. “I rode a lot of ponies and then I went obviously onto the Galloways and the hacks,” explains Hope of her childhood with horses. She enjoyed success in the showing world, and with New World Riverman, Hope was named the 2016 Australian Reserve Champion Rider 15-17 Years and Reserve Champion Children’s Show Hunter Hack.
“When I was 15, my mum bought me my first warmblood, so I decided that I would start dressage… I fell in love with the sport,” she explains. Next came a four-year-old warmblood, Remi Down Under, who Hope says was tricky as a young horse but went on to became quite good, and together they went through the levels from four-year-old classes to almost Prix St Georges. They were on the Queensland Young Rider Squad for four years running.
At age 20, Hope decided she wanted to see what the sport of dressage had to offer on a broader scale and began looking for jobs at stables in the United States. She ultimately landed a job with Catherine Haddad Staller and made the move to Wellington, Florida in 2019.
Catherine, an American dressage rider and trainer who was formerly based in Germany for nearly 20 years, is a top Grand Prix competitor with many well-known horses over her career, competing on American teams and at multiple FEI World Cup Finals among other achievements.
“I had the privilege of working under Catherine Haddad Staller and with NorCordia from June 2019 through April 2025 – nearly six years of invaluable experience,” says Hope, now 25. “During this time, I immersed myself in the world of elite dressage, benefiting immensely from Catherine’s mentorship and the dynamic environment at NorCordia.”
“Training in saddles without
knee rolls challenged me to find
true balance and stability…”
INDEPENDENT SEAT, STRONG WORK ETHIC
Hope learnt many things in her time there and says one of one of the most transformative lessons was developing an independent seat. “Training in saddles without knee rolls challenged me to find true balance and stability, making transitions back to knee roll saddles feel seamless,” she explains.
“I also mastered the art of executing half-halts using seat and leg aids rather than relying on the hand. This technique has been crucial for achieving smooth transitions and is fundamental for correct flying changes and really correct riding.”
Hope placed second in the Buffalo Wild Wings Future Challenge Prix Saint Georges Final earlier this year riding Mariye Inouye’s Top Gem. She says riding in saddles without knee rolls while based with Catherine Haddad Staller challenged her to find true balance and stability.
Hope says her time with Catherine also helped to instil a strong work ethic, something that she now thrives on. “When I started in 2019, I began with 5am to 6pm days, six days a week. This instilled in me a robust work ethic. Even when our hours shifted to 7am to 4pm, I continued to stay engaged by riding and training client horses on the side. I thrive in a busy environment and always seek opportunities to stay active and productive.”
EMBRACING NEW CHALLENGES
While it was no easy decision to leave and go independent, Hope says the timing felt right. “After absorbing all I could during my tenure at NorCordia, I felt it was the right moment to embrace new challenges and opportunities. I’m fortunate to have a supportive team and a lineup of promising horses. While I’m deeply grateful for the foundation Catherine provided, I’m equally excited about the future and the paths I’m forging independently.”
Hope competing her five-year-old mare (Escamillo x Florencio). Image by Jessica Buehler Photography.
Hope now plans to establish her base in Wellington, Florida, year-round. “I’ve been in discussions with a few trainers and am particularly looking forward to collaborating with one in particular. Building a network of like-minded professionals is essential, and I’m eager to integrate into the vibrant Wellington equestrian community.”
Hope is always open to welcoming new clients and horses of all levels. “My reputation in the US centres around developing young horses and guiding them through the FEI levels. Additionally, I’ve successfully taken horses nearing Grand Prix and refined them to compete at the highest levels.”
“I aspire to develop one of
my own horses for the
Brisbane 2032 Olympics.”
AIMING FOR LOS ANGELES
Hope says her primary ambition from a competition perspective is to make the Australian team for the LA 2028 Olympics. “While I don’t have a specific horse earmarked for this goal yet, the future is full of possibilities. Looking further ahead, I aspire to develop one of my own horses for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.”
A Queenslander at heart, it would certainly be fitting to see Hope flying the Aussie flag in Brisbane seven years from now.
Hope currently has two promising young mares: a five-year-old (Escamillo x Florencio) and a four-year-old (Dynamic Dream x Vitalis). “Both exhibit exceptional potential,” she says.
Hope’s four-year-old mare (Dynamic Dream x Vitalis).
“We’re exploring additional
prospects to bring to the US.”
There have also been successes with clients’ horses, which have led to further opportunities, and Hope is also enjoying coaching two elite-level para dressage riders.
“Recently, I reconnected with a family friend, Sarah, an Australian residing in Florida. I had the opportunity to train her mare, Evaslunds Daydream (Hesselhoej Donkey Boy x Blue Hors Doolittle), advancing her from Third Level to Intermediaire II within 11 months. We successfully sold her to a wonderful home in Canada. Sarah has since acquired a stunning four-year-old Morricone gelding, we call him ‘the show horse’ due to his gorgeous face, eyes and neck, and we’re exploring additional prospects to bring to the US.”
Hope riding Evaslunds Daydream. Image by Stacey Lynne.
“I find immense fulfilment
in supporting her journey.”
This year also saw Hope represent Australia in the Grand Prix at a Nations Cup event with the NorCordia-owned stallion Dean Martin (Don Frederico), scoring over 70% in the Freestyle.
“I’m also working with a talented seven-year-old mare who’s showing significant development. Additionally, I coach Paralympian Kate Shoemaker; her dedication and progress is truly inspiring, and I find immense fulfilment in supporting her journey.”
In recent weeks, Hope coached Kate and her horse Vianne to a combination-best Grade IV Freestyle score at Terranova CPEDI.
Hope previously rode Vianne when the mare was owned by NorCordia; among several successes they achieved a top 10 finish at the 2023 FEI/ WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championship for Young Horses. Kate and Vianne represented the USA at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games and the combination is clearly going from strength to strength.
Hope and Vianne, pictured here at the 2023 FEI/WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championship for Young Horses. Image by LL Foto.
“I’m enthusiastic about expanding my team and welcome inquiries from those seeking training or development for their horses. Feel free to reach out. I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate and achieve excellence together.” EQ
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