Nancy Pugh Later participated in a horse show at the age of six months and spent the rest of her childhood in the ring, competing in jumping, eventing and dressage. After graduating from high school, Later worked for U.S. Equestrian member Lendon Gray to develop her dressage and professional barn management skills. By the age of 24, she had won many awards, including accolades from the Grand Prix level.
Later went on to work for Oded Shimoni, a top Grand Prix competitor, managing his business for 11 years and learning his training system; she also prepared his competition horses for the World Games and traveled with them to Europe. Later then trained in Germany with Ellen Bontje and Conrad Schumacher; she also participated in dressage competitions at world-class equestrian venues like Hickstead, Luxembourgh and Saumer.
Later established Nancy Later Dressage Horses in 2002, offering top training, care and management for dressage and sport horses and Olympic-size arena, and Townsend, Mass., with 50 acres, indoor / outdoor arenas and spacious turn out. At both locations, Later trains students of all levels; past trainers include Olympians Ellen Bontje, Lendon Gray, Belinda Wertman and Jessica Ransehausen and current trainers include Olympian Michelle Gibson and international competitor Oded Shimoni.
Competitive by nature, Later didn't let the devastation of 2005's Hurricane Wilma derail the mission of her Florida location. Later's boyfriend, Matthew Lavoie, taught her how to clear trees with a Bobcat and Later's desire to bring attention to dressage in the United States is of hurricane strength - quite impressive from one of "horse ballet's" best ballerinas.
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