About Melissa
Training
Melissa is a USDF FEI certified instructor and a USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist.
She offers training, clinics, lessons and sales.
Facility
Melissa offers lessons and training out of FallenLeaf Farms, Indian Land, SC. With 36 acres of beautiful pastures, two ponds and currently two outdoor arenas and hacking trails around the entire property, it truly is beautiful. The owners live on property and provide top notch care for your horses with on sight supervision day and night with live in management.
Sales
Melissa has several sales horses and will be happy to assist you in finding your next dream horse. She has many connections across the US and in Holland that are trustworthy to assist in purchasing your new horse.
Getting to know Melissa
Melissa grew up in Lincoln, NE where she was involved in Pony Club. She competed in NAYRC in 1997 where Region 4 took the bronze medal. She then moved to CA to work as a working student and competed at PSG earning her USDF sliver medal.
She moved to Kansas City in 2001, she graduated from massage therapy school and started her own training business. She started young horses, rode training horses, earning her bronze medal on a sales horse. She taught riders of all levels and also earned her USDF gold medal that year.
In 2005, she went through the USDF Certified instructor program and was certified through 4th level, the highest at that time. It was then she met Lilo Fore and started to clinic with her.
Melissa grew her business with assisting clients in Regional championship wins, earning USDF medals, US National finals wins, Horse of the Year awards and many national horse show wins.
Melissa has been competitive on horses she has started and trained up to FEI as well as showing client horses with many regional and national wins.
Melissa earned her USDF FEI certification in 2015, being one of the few elite that have obtained this certification. She is pursuing becoming faculty for the USDF Certified Instructor Program.
She has ridden with top trainers/instructors, currently working with Katherine Bateson and Christine Traurig and Lilo Fore.
Previously with Debbie McDonald, Isabel Werth, Ulla Salzgeber, Steffen Peters, Morten Thompson and Christopher Hickey.
Melissa was involved in the Kansas City Dressage Society for many years, most recently serving as the Sponsorship chair. She helped KCDS attain level sponsors, class sponsors and also designed a show program with sponsors advertising that was available at the horse shows.
She married her husband, Will in 2005 and moved her business to Waxhaw, North Carolina. Melissa offers training, lessons and clinics, inquire about pricing.
Sponsorships
Hulsebos Saddles
Hulsebos Saddles are from The Netherlands and offer beautifully crafted dressage and jumping saddles. They have been a sponsor for Melissa Allen Dressage for over 14 years and have outstanding customer service. They come to the states almost all year round as they travel to one location 2x a year to ensure proper saddle fitting.
Samshield helmets
Samshield offers a variety of styles and colors of helmets for all riders. They are very comfortable and stylish! They also have gloves and breeches!
Petrie boots from CU@X
Petrie boots have been around for years, but they have new and improved designs and unbelievable comfort. I’m excited to have this new sponsor from CU@X tack store, located in Wellington, FL. Katie Hoog is the Owner and a good friend of mine. I’m excited to partner with her not only on boots, but amazing products she offers, even their own brand of breeches!