Pati's Journey

With a career spanning more than three decades in Classical Dressage Training, Teaching, and International Competition, Pati Pierucci has emerged as a dedicated supporter and competitor of  Working Equitation in Texas. Her extensive background in Dressage includes training under esteemed coaches such as Robert Dover, an Olympian, and Kathy Connelly, an International Coach, trainer, and rider, the latter of whom has been a consistent influence throughout her career. Later, in Pati’s career, she was the head trainer at Hampton Green Farm, owned by Kimberly Van-Kampen (Crook) in Michigan and Wellington, FL, renowned for its specialization in the PRE breed, where she was exposed to remarkable opportunities, including working with multiple stallions from Spain and International Olympic coaches Martin Schuatd from Germany and Rafael Soto from Spain.

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These experiences led her to connect with Doreen Atkinson, who at the time was the highest-ranked Working Equitation Master-Level Rider on her self-trained horse, Obadiah. A passionate enthusiast herself, Doreen generously offered Pati the opportunity to compete on Obadiah in an L5 ride, 2-handed. Through this partnership, Obadiah imparted the sport's intricate technical details to Pati. He ignited Pati’s passion for riding at the Master’s Level and aiming for a spot on the USA Team. Doreen knew that the USAWE was forming its first team from the USA to compete in the 2026 World Championship, and her hope was, through a partnership with Obadiah, to get Pati addicted enough to work toward achieving that goal. Guess what? Mission accomplished!