Lazelle Knocke

Lazelle serves currently as a Director Emeritus of the National Board of Directors of The Dressage Foundation, and with her equine partner Don Perignon is Team #1 in the Foundation’s Century Club. Lazelle has also been honored as a Grand Prix Donor to the Foundation (recognizing gifts of $100,000 or more).
 
Among so many crowning achievements, Lazelle was featured as the 1993 Horseman of the Year, and as the 1994 Dressage Horseman of the Year by the Chronicle of the Horse. In 2001, she received the S. Braley Gray, Jr. Award, given to a “pioneer” who has done so much for the sport of Dressage over a lifetime.
 
Today, Lazelle is still immersed in, and working hard for the sport of Dressage.

Lazelle Knocke’s commitment to horse sports took shape 50+ years ago when she and her husband bought Hobby Horse Hill in New Jersey. The nearby U.S. Equestrian Team and the U.S. Pony Club were still young and in need of places to hold their programs. So, Hobby Horse Hill, with its indoor arena, outside sand and grass rings, and cross-country course hosted numerous clinics with masters like Fritz Stecken, Gunnar Anderson and Major Dezso Szilagyi; and with USET coaches Bertalan de Nemethy, Stephen von Visy, and Colonel Bengt Ljungquist. The Knockes’ three daughters learned to ride there and later developed international aspirations. 

	Lazelle Knocke and Shining Armor

Lazelle has won her colors in hunting, helped with Pony Club and 4-H, and has ridden Grand Prix Dressage, competing internationally at FEI levels. She has studied, taught, and judged Dressage and riding for 50+ years. She won her USDF silver Medal in 1991 and FEI Masters in 1992. She has judged Dressage for a half-century, is an AHSA Senior Judge and Examiner, and held FEI ranking for many years. She has officiated countless FEI events in Canada and the United States.
 
Lazelle has been an active speaker, teacher and writer on both equestrian topics, and nursing, which was her chosen profession. She is one of the pioneer developers of the USDF Instructor Certification Program, and also helped to develop the ‘L’ Education Program at USDF. She is a founder, life member, and past president of USDF. Lazelle holds life membership in the United States Combined Training Association and is a former member of its Board of Governors. She founded and still remains active in the Eastern States Dressage Combined Training Association.