Doug Payne

Son of Olympic dressage judge, coach, and eventer Marilyn Payne, Doug was born into an equestrian family. At age 7 he joined the United States Pony Club, eventually earning his A level certification. After earning his mechanical engineering degree from Rochester Institute of Technology, Doug decided to pursue horses full-time, and hasn’t looked back since.  

He started DPEquestrian in 2005, acquiring the ride on OTTB Running Order in 2008, and together the pair completed their first 5-star at Kentucky in 2012. Doug then produced Crown Talisman to the 4-star level in 2014, culminating their partnership with a 6th-place finish at Saumer in France. In 2015 he picked up the ride on Trakehner gelding Vandiver, who would be his next 5-star mount and eventually his Olympic partner.

Doug has continued to produce horses to the top levels of not just eventing, but also showjumping. Along with 5* horse Quantum Leap (who Doug purchased as a weanling) and 4* horse/Pan Am gold medalist Starr Witness, he also has international showjumper Quintessence.  

With a resume that boasts credentials like FEI 5* Event rider, Olympian, PanAm gold medalist, FEI 4* Jumper, International Hunter Derby Rider, USDF Silver Medalist, USPC 'A' Rating USPC, and Mechanical Engineer, it’s easy to see why Doug is such a valuable addition to our coaching line-up!  

In his free time Doug has also become an author, publishing ‘The Problem Horse Repair Manual’ in 2014, and is an Instrument rated pilot. Between eventing competitions, hunter/jumper shows, and his busy clinic schedule, Doug spends a lot of time traveling, usually in the company of his wife Jess and their kids Hudson and Abigail. His next big goal, in addition to continuing to compete at the top levels of both eventing and showjumping, is to obtain his USDF gold medal.

Doug’s business, Payne Equestrian Sport Services and Sales, is based out of Rougemont, North Carolina.

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