Our Staff

Meet your next trainer.

Whether you’re a beginner, just starting out or an advanced rider with competitive ambitions, we have someone for you. Many of our riders choose to work with multiple trainers, to maximize their learning.
Owner/Trainer Julie Hagen

Julie Hagen

Owner/Trainer

Julie has many years experience bringing riders and horses from beginner levels up through the ranks to accomplished, competitive, empathetic riders and trainers. Her experiences competing at the FEI levels in Germany, teaching at Morven Park International Equestrian Center, and owning/running Bascule have given her a depth of knowledge and experience she loves to share. Her commitment to the sport, through a highly regarded working student program has built many students into professionals.

Julie is available for a small number of horses in training as well as morning and evening students.

Richard Hagen

Owner/Trainer

Richard “Dick” Hagen has trained with Bruce Davidson Sr, David and Karen O’Conner, Todd Minikus, Fred Weber, Eric Horgan and Lillian Heard. He has competed multiple OTTB’s from first time out to Intermediate and brought many a homebred WB/TB-cross from unstarted to competition level. As a former Whip for over 25 years, he has taught and taken horses over ground/country far more trappy than any cross country course. He is meticulous about being attuned to the horse and how it learns. His students learn to be correct and precise. With a history as a wrestling coach, he is a human bio-mechanics geek, and brings all of that to his lessons as well.

Dick is available for privates, group jumping lessons, cross country schooling and coaching at events.

Owner/Trainer Richard Hagen
Trainer Eliza Sannicolas

Eliza SanNicolas

Trainer

Eliza first came to Bascule in 2014. She joined the training team full time in 2020 after earning a BA in Sociology from American University. She is a Level 2 certified instructor in both Eventing and Dressage through the American Riding Instructors Association. She competed her first horse through Training level eventing before switching to a dressage focus with her personal horse. She still loves to jump both in and out of the arena, happily schooling client horses over fences when they need a quiet, confident ride. Eliza also loves working with young horses; she started her gelding Koz as an unbroken and unruly, 3 year old. She has recently imported a fantastic gelding with a focus on showing up the levels. With her human pupils, Eliza focuses on correct basics as the foundation for furthering skills in the saddle. She frequents local events as well as dressage and jumper shows, emphasizing fun outings as a way to show off the skills honed at home while never losing sight of love for the horse.

Chris Knuth

Trainer

Chris has her BA in Equine Studies & Business Management from Averett College, Danville, VA. Having competed up to Preliminary level on a cheeky off the track Thoroughbred, she brings a lot of experience to riders with more challenging steeds. She will be transitioning soon to full time teaching and we are very excited to have her back. She recently purchased a wonderful 7yo Westfalen gelding that will be eventing this year! She lives with her family (her husband, Jesse and sons, Jaden and Gavin) just one mile away from the farm driveway. Her students love her thoughtful, systematic approach. Chris has a flexible schedule so everyone takes advantage when she’s available.
Trainer Chris Knuth