Sarah Tubman

Sarah Tubman, formerly known as Sarah Lockman, is a highly accomplished International Grand Prix dressage rider and one of the most respected professionals in the sport. Recognized worldwide for her ability to develop horses from young prospects to the elite international level, she has built a reputation for excellence, integrity, and results both inside and outside of the arena.

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Based at Donato Farms in Wellington, Florida, Sarah operates a boutique-style training and sales program with her husband, FEI 4* judge and international coach Lee Tubman. She trains with Lee on a daily basis, gaining the consistent benefit of his judge’s perspective in her own riding and teaching. Together, they provide world-class training, management, and development for horses and riders, while producing equine stars for the future of U.S. dressage.

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Business & Training Success

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Sarah’s equestrian journey began in her youth, riding starting at 3 years old, where she explored various disciplines, including western pleasure, trail, barrel racing, roping, and hunter/jumper competitions. Her passion for eventing led her to compete up to the CCI3* level and Advanced level eventing. Being recognized at the top 10 young riders in eventing for the United States with her achievements recognized in the pony club hall of fame. At 16, she transitioned to high-performance dressage, and in 2012 started her own business marking the start of her illustrious career.

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Before relocating to Florida, Sarah built and maintained the largest dressage training business on the West Coast, running a program in Southern California with up to 50 horses in full training. Her clients consistently competed from the lower levels to Grand Prix, and under her guidance, one year more than 20 horse-and-rider combinations successfully qualified for the U.S. Regional Championships. She has produced three top Young Riders who all qualified for the North American Youth Championships—and each one earned medals on the podium across the Junior, Young Rider, and U25 divisions.

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Alongside her training, Sarah has managed a highly successful sales business from the time she launched her career to the present day, having sold over 100 horses to riders across the U.S. and abroad.

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International Achievements

Her partnership with Dutch Warmblood stallion First Apple stands as a career highlight, culminating in individual gold and team silver medals at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. She was shortlisted for the 2022 FEI World Equestrian Games, named to the 2023 USEF Pre-Elite list, and selected as the first reserve for the 2023 FEI World Cup. That same year, she represented the United States in Europe, including at the world-renowned CHIO Aachen on the nations cup team before anchoring Team USA to gold medal at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.

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Over the years, Sarah and First Apple have consistently been ranked among the top combinations in the FEI World Rankings, placing her alongside the leading international riders in the sport. These rankings reflect not only her success in the arena, but also the consistency, longevity, and quality of her competitive program at the highest level.

Professional Education & Mentorship

Sarah has trained and worked with many of the world’s most influential dressage professionals, including Olympians Günter Seidel, Daniel Bachmann Andersen, Debbie McDonald, Charlotte Bredahl, Robert Dover, Christine Traurig, Carl Hester, Charlotte Dujardin, and Patrick van der Meer, as well as USEF coaches Scott Hassler and George Williams. She has also been taught directly by many of the most highly regarded FEI 5* judges in the world, including Lilo Fore and Linda Zang. This breadth of mentorship, combined with her daily training under Lee Tubman, gives Sarah a uniquely well-rounded perspective as both a competitor and a trainer.

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She is also a proud graduate “B” Pony Clubber, a program she credits for instilling the foundation of horsemanship and discipline that continues to guide her today. In recognition of her expertise, Sarah has been invited to coach alongside the nation’s top professionals at the Robert Dover USEF Horsemanship Clinics. She is also an in-demand clinician nationwide, having traveled across the country to teach in many states.

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Sarah is recognized not only for her competitive accomplishments but also for her contributions to dressage education. She has authored articles for leading dressage magazines, offering insights on everything from progressive training exercises to principles of sound horsemanship. She has also been featured as a guest on several equestrian podcasts, where her knowledge and experience have been shared with a wide international audience.

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As one of Florida’s most respected trainers, Sarah is frequently looked to as a model for developing riders. Lendon Gray, one of the sport’s most influential leaders, brought her WIT (Winter Intensive Training) program students to Donato Farms specifically to observe Sarah and Lee train multiple horses as an educational opportunity. This recognition by peers further reflects Sarah’s standing as an influential figure in U.S. dressage.

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Current Program & Vision

Sarah’s current roster includes First Apple, RS Damon (Donato Farms), Lyamora (a rising Grand Prix prospect), Gorklintgards Smarties (GS Syndicate), and Barton VDL (The Barton Group) and Dow Jones (Grand Prix horse). She also maintains an ongoing partnership with Mantovani Horses, reflecting her commitment to bringing top European horses to the U.S. market.

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Beyond competition, Sarah is deeply dedicated to expanding access to dressage and making the sport more approachable for the next generation. Her long-term vision is to represent the United States at the World Cup, World Equestrian Games, and Olympic Games while continuing to run a program that combines elite performance with a strong foundation of horsemanship.

​Sarah Tubman’s career is a testament to her relentless pursuit of excellence, her leadership in the U.S. dressage community, and her respected standing on the international stage.