Team

compassion, intuition, and a drive for excellence

Wynne Fassari

Owner

Background

Training Philosophy

Goals

A dressage rider of over 30 years and FEI rider of 25 years, Wynne Fassari began her career as a horsewoman on her family’s Arabian breeding and training facility in San Diego, California. In 1989, she attended West Moorland Davis Equestrian Institute in Leesburg, Virginia, and had the opportunity to train with top dressage masters Jaap Pot, Maria Gunther, and Gunnar Ostergaard. Following graduation, she began a successful boarding and training operation in San Diego before opening her private dream facility of Iron Rock Dressage in 2016. It has always been a dream of Wynne’s to find talented horses and be part of their journey to success. Wynne continues her education by regularly training with Jane Weatherwax, Lilo Fore and David Marcus.

Wynne is a USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medalist.

Wynne’s training philosophy consists of balancing a healthy body with a positively encouraged mind to ensure a steady transformation. From long lining to hacking, her emphasis on diversity within an exercise program and reward-based training methods creates an emotionally solid, happy, and sound athlete.

Wynne aspires to improve the reach of Iron Rock as a noteworthy source for top tier dressage horses and support Eleni in her FEI level journey on the international stage.

Eleni Econopouly

Head Trainer & Barn Manager

Background

Training Philosophy

Goals

Eleni began riding at age 5 in the hunter jumper world before transitioning to eventing and dressage at age 12 with her then 2-year-old prospect, May. Shortly thereafter she began training with Lendon Gray and Courtney King-Dye while also learning from clinicians Lilo Fore, Jan Ebling, Scott Hassler, Debbie McDonald, Katherine Bateson, and Charlotte Dujardin. Eleni went on to become the National Reserve Dressage Seat Champion, three-time Region 8 Dressage Seat Medal Champion, and Champion for the Dressage Seat Semi-Finals three years in a row. She has competed at Nationals for both Junior and Young Rider Championships as well as the U-25 Grand Prix.

Eleni is a USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold medalist with distinction.

Eleni’s training philosophy is built on developing trust with her horses over an extended period of time. She believes listening to the horse ensures their physical and emotional needs are met while also establishing a deeper connection with them. By introducing new concepts at a pace the horse is comfortable with, she develops horses who perform with understanding and fire.

Eleni is currently working on developing a string of internationally competitive FEI horses. She is excited for the future of Iron Rock as leading competitors representing the US at the top of the sport.

Isabella Collins

Head Groom & Assistant Manager

Bella has had a love for horses since a little girl. She started her pursuit of her equestrian dreams and goals at the age of 7. Starting at a local farm, she would take lessons in riding and horse care. At the age of 15, Bella obtained her first working student position where she learned how to start young horses, barn management skills, horse care, and breeding. Over her youth years, Bella has worked at several FEI barns as a Working Student, Assistant Groom, Head Groom, & Assistant Manager. Being with IRD since 2020, Bella has developed her skills in grooming, horse-management, and riding. She is Iron Rock’s right hand woman when it comes to the care and management of the horses. Her duties consist of working closely with Head Trainer & Barn Manager Eleni to ensure the best individual quality care and training are given to each horse. Bella’s goals are to continue to strive to be the best horsewoman she can be and to develop her riding skills through FEI so she can one day be a full-time rider.

ARMANDO URBINA

Facility Manager

Armando has been working with horses for as long as he can remember. When he was 10 years old, he started helping out on his grandfather’s ranch. Eventually he was recruited to join the team at Blooming Hills Thoroughbred Farm where he cared for hundreds of horses and also assisted in their equine injury rehabilitation program. Armando then moved to Oakview Farm, another thoroughbred breeding and training facility on forty-acres in California. There, he gained additional experienced as a handler during live cover breeding operations. Over the next twenty years Armando spent time at a jumper barn, and even managed a facility whose garden supplied flowers to the famous San Francisco flower market. In 2017 he joined the Iron Rock Dressage team and has been essential to our daily operations ever since.

Graciela

Stable Caretaker

Graciela always had a love for horses ever since she can remember. Graciela finds the the horses’ gentle minds and big hearts make them so special and very rewarding to care for. Her horse days started at a Quarter Horse ranch in 1991 where she would wash all of the bandages for the reining horses. With the urge to do more, Graciela started a new job at another ranch where she was promoted to cleaning and caring for the stables. Throughout the years she developed a passion for horses and wanted to continue to work around them. In 2021, Graciela joined the team at Iron Rock Dressage as a stable caretaker. Graciela enjoys coming to work every day knowing she helps the horses be comfortable, happy, and thrive as performance horses.