Astrid “Star” Dalley
She wears her hair in a low ponytail beneath a baseball cap, an Oatland Stables zip-up windbreaker and jeans topped off with riding boots.
Not the most conspicuous attire for someone who coaches not one, but two college equestrian teams on a daily basis.
Astrid “Star” Dalley’s whole life revolves around training others to ride. The 51-year-old owner of Oatland Stables in Brookeville is the coach of both this university’s equestrian team and the team at American University. Under her leadership, the members of the Terps Equestrian Team finished fourth overall in their zone at the Washington International Horse Show Competition. Dalley also won coach of the year with the National Capitol Equitation League seven times in 11 years.
Dalley began her equestrian career at the age of 10 when she started taking lessons with Austrian international judge Michael Matthews. She went on to compete in many high-ranking show circuits and then train professional-level riders competing in the Washington International Horse Show.
“Now I concentrate on local shows and educating the rider on complete horsemanship skills,” Dalley said.
As a coach, Dalley strives to replicate real-life show situations by assigning her students a variety of horses of all sizes, speeds and abilities. She also puts the team members through rigorous exercise regiments, including gymnastics, to improve balance and rhythm.
“At times the students need to do something I ask them to do that they are unsure about,” Dalley said. “This is what I enjoy most about coaching — I get to develop the bond and trust of all the individuals and share my knowledge both on and off the horse.”
Leandra Bitterfeld, the president of this university’s equestrian team, said Dalley’s past experience makes her a valuable asset when preparing for shows.
“She is able to help us work on what would be our weak points at horse shows so that we can ride the way that the judges are looking for,” she said.
Dalley also coaches high schoolers in the Inter School Horse Show and the younger-aged National Capital Equitation League teams. She even manages to squeeze in time to give horseback-riding lessons to her customers at the stables.
Oatland Stables barn manager Joshua Leary estimates Dalley and her staff teach about 100 riders of all abilities, ranging from age five to over 60. He said Dalley works diligently to keep the stables running at top form, which includes investing to repave the driveway to getting new drain fields.
“She does what it takes to improve the business and make it better for the clients and staff,” Leary said.
Kelby Shannon, who cares for the Oatland horses, said it is Dalley’s fun, uplifting personality that makes it not only a business, but a family.
“Star can handle any situation that may arise throughout the day,” Shannon said. “I see Star as a boss and a friend; she helps me when I need to figure out the best thing to do.”
Leary agreed, noting Dalley’s approachability makes the barn staff a more cohesive unit. This family mentality also draws in customers, who enjoy the close-knit aspect of the barn and respect the employees’ sincere efforts.
“Star is also one of the most generous people I’ve ever met; she will make sure everyone else gets paid before she pays herself,” Leary said. “Star doesn’t mind if you don’t know how to do something, and she won’t hesitate to show you how to do it right. All of these qualities make it very easy to want to work hard for her.”
