FIRST TIMER
What is your favorite thing about
the horse you’re competing?
My favorite thing about Der Fiete, known in the
barn as Derry, is that he is very much a “been
there, done that” kind of horse. I can hop on
him bareback in nothing more than a halter,
take him cross-country schooling or expose
him to almost any new situation without a
second thought. Very little fazes him. Yet when
it is time to step into the show ring, he will
spark to life and deliver that extra wow factor.
What does it mean to you to compete at
the US Dressage Finals, and what are you
most looking forward to about it?
This will be my first time attending the US
Dressage Finals, and I could not be more
excited. While competing on such a stage
is certainly a highlight, what I am looking
forward to most is reconnecting with old
friends, making new ones, and spending
quality time with Derry.
What do you do when you’re not riding?
When I’m not riding, I’m an international
lawyer and was fortunate to make partner at
my firm earlier this year. My practice focuses
on mergers and acquisitions, particularly
complex cross-border transactions between
the United States and the United Kingdom.
Balancing a legal career with competitive
dressage means keeping some unconventional
hours: Most mornings, I am at the barn
before sunrise, fitting in training rides before
heading into the office and spending the day
negotiating deals and coordinating teams
across multiple jurisdictions. People are often
surprised to learn that I go from riding FEI
dressage tests in the morning to negotiating
acquisition agreements later in the day, but I
feel incredibly fortunate to be able to pursue
two passions that I love.
ADULT AMATEURS
LAURA ABER
Region 8 – Jersey City, NJ – Int I Freestyle AA Ch and PSG AA
US DRESSAGE FINALS • 2026