Welcome to
Upland Farm
Our Mission
Community and the Love of Horses
Upland Farm is the manifestation of the dreams and vision shared by Marcia Haas and Lauren Bays. We wish for a community of good people who love their horses and support each other. We aim to create a workspace fit for the avid dressage rider to focus and achieve their individual goals. We curate a culture and horse property that offers diverse riding terrain for cross training as well as unwinding after a training session. We prize our peaceful hill country setting as a sanctuary for our beloved horses and a gathering place for our community members.
Marcia McKeehan Haas
Marcia is living her dream as the founder and owner of Upland Farm. Since childhood, Marcia’s love for horses has inspired her to curate a fun, caring equine community. Marcia’s wisdom, joy and kindness help make Upland Farm the Texas Hill Country’s premier Equine and Dressage community. Marcia and her family have lived in the Austin area since 1998 and in collaboration with her team, established Updand Farm in 2022.
Trainer
Lauren Baggett
Lauren began riding at the age of 5. She’s had a passion for dressage since her early days in Pony Club. She has earned her Bronze and Silver medals, participated in NAYRC, and has trained for 20 years under the mentorship of PanAm games gold medalist and Olympic alternate, Heather Blitz…
Lauren Baggett
Lauren began riding at the age of 5. She’s had a passion for dressage since her early days in Pony Club. She has earned her Bronze with distinction and Silver medals, and participated in NAYRC. She has trained for 20 years under the mentorship of PanAm games gold medalist and Olympic alternate, Heather Blitz.
Lauren Bays is an exceptional trainer with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the world of dressage. She has a keen eye for detail and is able to provide insightful feedback that allows both students and horses to improve rapidly. What sets Lauren apart is her ability to tailor her approach to each individual rider and horse. My own horse, Tito, is sensitive, reactive and very green. Lauren has successfully guided us to a great partnership and is helping him to reach is potential with patience and precision of an artist. Overall, I would highly recommend Lauren Bays to anyone looking to improve their dressage skills, develop a dressage horse or train and sell an investment horse. Her expertise, passion, and dedication make her an outstanding trainer and valuable asset to the equestrian community.
– Tracy Ambrico
ClientA short time after meeting Lauren I started my journey shopping for the perfect horse. Lauren selected a mare that had the ideal personality, disposition and athleticism that I needed. I couldn’t have pieced together a more perfect fit. She is incredibly talented at identifying what her students’ needs are and finding horses that will compliment their skill level. Lauren continues to help my mare in furthering our partnership through lessons. She has an immense knowledge of biomechanics and ability to guide each rider in understanding how to be more in-sync with their horse. Each lesson I have with Lauren I leave feeling positive and encouraged. her continuous drive to learn and bring knowledge back to her students is inspiring. I am extremely grateful to have her guidance and training.
Elizabeth Landry
Clienttrainer
Ashley Bearden
Ashley began riding at age 3. After a successful Eventing career she immersed herself in Dressage. She has achieved her Bronze with distinction , Silver and is working towards her last 2 scores for her Gold. As a USPC B Graduate she implements good horse management into her daily life, passing that knowledge to each of her students.
Ashley Bearden
Ashley began riding at age 3. After a successful Eventing career she immersed herself in Dressage. She has achieved her Bronze with distinction , Silver and is working towards her last 2 scores for her Gold. As a USPC B Graduate she implements good horse management into her daily life, passing that knowledge to each of her students. In the Dressage arena Ashley has brought many horses along through the levels up to FEI, which has allowed her the knowledge to help her students attain their own medals under her training.
In Her teaching Ashley works to improve each riders Biomechanics. This allows them to be clear, and effective partners for their horses. She adapts her teaching methods, and techniques to each individual horse, and each riders specific needs. She pulls from the knowledge she has gained from years of training with Clinicians such as Jane Savoie, Heather Blitz, and Mary Wanless. Ashley has had many award winning Regional and National Level Students in both Eventing and Dressage.
“I don’t think there’s another individual who has improved my riding as much as Ashley Bearden has. She is invested in my success and in my horses. She is supportive and positive even while working through difficult moments in training, all while being both effective and fair. She has an incredible ability to explain different theories, ideas and “feels” with multiple different, creative analogies to help the rider understand. Many other trainers have given me instructions not realizing I was misinterpreting what to do. Ashley’s analogies and explanations have allowed me to understand and actually do what I needed to do. I told Ashley she has improved my riding so much that it’s like she bought me a whole new horse! But really she’s helped me ride my horses better. I really can’t say enough good things about her.”
– Becca Speer
ClientI have been taking lessons for over twenty years. In the past two I’ve been lucky enough to be training with Ashley. Ashley’s has a gift for teaching and explaining concepts in a way that is accessible for all levels of riders. She’ll not only meet you where you’re at but also encourage you to choose goals for your riding growth. she’s incredibly generous with her time, resources, and knowledge. She’s one of the most genuine and professional trainers I’ve worked with and I’m so incredibly grateful for her!
Haley Root
ClientClinician
Heather Blitz
Heather Blitz (born December 25, 1968) is an American dressage rider. Blitz won team gold and individual silver in the 2011 Pan American Games, and was a part of the U.S. Olympic team for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Blitz teaches Annie Peavy, who has been named to the U.S. Paralympic Team and will compete in the 2016 Paralympic Games.
Heather Blitz (born December 25, 1968) is an American dressage rider. Blitz won team gold and individual silver in the 2011 Pan American Games, and was a part of the U.S. Olympic team for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Blitz teaches Annie Peavy, who has been named to the U.S. Paralympic Team and will compete in the 2016 Paralympic Games.
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OUR FACILITIES
Come Visit Upland Farm
Nestled in the peaceful quiet of Dripping Springs, Texas, Upland Farm is where we call home. Come see us and discover the magic for yourself. We can’t wait to meet you.
