About Anna
Dedication & Diligence with Devotion for Dressage Riding Excellence
Anna Swackhammer is a young FEI dressage rider with ambitions to continue to represent Canada internationally in the Dressage ring. Anna is known for her strong work ethic, horsemanship and deep passion for Dressage. These characteristics along with her instrumental role at the 2022 North American Youth Championships (NAYC) earned her the recognition of 2022 Canadian Junior Equestrian of the year and the Gillian Wilson Trophy.
Some of Anna's most notable accomplishments to date include:
- 2 years on the Canadian Talent ID squad
- Young Rider individual bronze medalist at the 2024 North American Youth Championships
- Helped anchor Canadian Young Rider team to a silver medal at the 2024 North American Youth Championships
- Junior individual silver medal at the 2022 North American Youth Championships
- Helped secure the silver medal in the Juniors team competition at the 2022 North American Youth Championships
- Member of the Junior bronze medal team at the 2018 North American Youth Championships
From 2020-2023 Anna was a member of Ontario Equestrian's GRIT (Great Rider Intensive Training) program and continues to participate as a GRIT grad to further her connections and learning. This paticipation is one example of Anna's commitment to constantly learning and growing her skills. As a seasoned competitor at international competitions and championships around North America Anna's passion and drive in her pursuit of equine training and performance excellence has only strengthened. Short term goals include furthering her current mount, Fabienna GV's, training towards the small tour and helping other horses and riders reach their full potential. Ultimate long term goals include representing Canada at senior championships such as the World Equestrian Games, Pan American Games, and the Olympics.
Born and raised in Rockwood Ontario, Anna first found her love of horses with their family's shetland pony, Lollipop, followed by her beloved first large mount Piper, and her first FEI horse, Wrazzmatazz. Growing up on a farm, Anna realized from a young age the importance of hard work, dedication, and the significance of the relationship between animals and people. She continues to greatly value these characteristics every day. Being a well rounded person is also important to Anna. Outside of the dressage ring she maintains a 3.4 GPA in her undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph, chasing her personal fitness goals, and of course spending lots of time with horses and improving her equine management knowledge while working in the barn.
About Anna's Riding and Coaching Foundation
Established with Ute Busse
Anna trains with Ute Busse at Sonnenhof Stables in Breslau, Ontario. Ute has coached Anna from grassroots to the FEI levels. Anna enjoys her full time training regiment and job at the facility owned and run by Ute Busse and her husband, Dieter Busse.
Ute Busse is a High Performance 1 (HP1) dressage coach and EC certified dressage judge. Ute has been extremely successful over the years in the international ring with several different mounts. Including her 2012 Olympic declaration with Lindor’s Finest, where the partnership was shortlisted for Canada. She has also declared horses for the Pan American games in 1995 and 2014. Aside from her many impressive show successes, Ute is a well-known trainer for developing riders of all ages. Including Anna, she has coached a number of junior and young riders from local shows to the international show ring at the North American Youth Championships (NAYC). Her skills and experience in coaching students are well-known to the dressage community. In 2011 and 2022 Ute was named Coach of the year from Ontario Equestrian across all equestrian disciplines. Anna has been training with Ute since 2012. Ute has coached Anna from local shows all the way to the international ring. This is a true testament to the power and determination that Anna and Ute have.