Ampara Visser - Founder and head trainer
Ampara Visser is a USDF Gold Medalist, CDI competitor and "L" Judge Graduate. She graduated cum laude from Colorado State University with a degree in Equine Science/Pre-Vet and from the USPC with a B rating. With a career start in equitation and jumpers, Ampara now competes primarily in dressage but continues to cross train in the other sport horse disciplines. Ampara’s early training began at Olympic barns in Germany, and she continues her education with US Olympic Team alternate Olivia Lagoy-Weltz.
Ampara’s current competition horse, Quanto Costa, or “Q,” was given to her in 2016 due to some behavioral issues. In five years, Ampara brought Q from behaviorally challenged pasture pet to Grand Prix, earning multiple High Scores and year end championships along the way. Ampara’s previous competition horse was a rescue with whom she earned a High Score in their very first test together, and subsequent year end championships. Ampara particularly enjoys helping other complex horses and “alternative” breeds reach their full potential.
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With a strong emphasis in biomechanics, Ampara’s system involves making specific postural changes accessible to the rider, thereby positively influencing the horse’s balance. Also a student of natural horsemanship trainers and researched-based equine psychology, Ampara helps riders explain their requests to their horses with fairness and compassion. By enabling clearer rider communication, this approach helps improve the relationship between any horse and rider team across the sport horse disciplines. Ampara’s students range from novice riders to “S” dressage judges to USHJA Emerging Athletes Program grant recipients to para dressage riders.
Veronica Gogan - Business assistant
Veronica Gogan is part of the A Training Vision family and supports business operations. An equestrienne native to northern Virginia, she believes the horse's gift of freedom unites us regardless of experience or discipline. After a lifetime in the hunter and equitation world, she transitioned to para dressage in 2018, but also includes jumpers, sorted western disciplines, and side saddle on her resume. Most recently, she competed at Para Dressage Nationals in Tryon and prior to that at the USEF Para Dressage Emerging Athletes Championships. In college, she was the President of the GMU Intercollegiate Horse Show Association team and rode in the open division. She adopted a horse from the slaughter pipeline in 2023 and is enjoying developing her partnership with "Birdie."
Professionally, Veronica comes from a compliance and regulation of higher education background. She graduated from George Mason University with a BA in Philosophy. Passionate about advocacy for accessibility and multiple sclerosis awareness, she works closely with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to drive initiatives important for those affected by MS. Her family includes a husband, two young sons, a cat, bearded dragon, leopard gecko, many, many fish, and Birdie.
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Recognizable most notably by her red mobility scooter (always stocked with horse treats), she is enthusiastic and optimistic, and probably talking too much.
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commander in chief, "Chief"
Slightly too small to be ridden, Chief’s primary jobs at A Training Vision involve being incredibly stinking cute and keeping all of his larger pasture mates in line, a role he takes on with gusto.
With the biggest attitude of any horse at the farm, Chief is never short on energy and antics to keep all of his fans entertained. ​
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