Silver Lining Dressage

I ask lot's of questions.  It is important to understand the students background and the horses background.  

Some examples;

Is there past trauma for either horse or rider?

Are there physical limitations?

What are your short term goals? 

*  Do you want to show?

*  Are you wanting a better partnership with your horse?

*   Are you stuck in your training?

*   Are you wanting to start a new sport?

I will also do a full check of the horses conformation, tack and assessmet of the entire horse and rider.

I have been training and showing horses for 40 years.  As a child and young adult I showed extensively in the hunter/jumper circut.  I worked for a show barn starting young horses and off the track horses to be sold as prospects.  That experince gave me the skills to start young horses under saddle and ride many different personalities.  

I started dressage training 20 years ago.  In the 20 years I have brought along several young horses to the FEI levels.  I have earned my bronze and siliver medal on horses I have trained myself

My speciality is bringing out the best in every breed of horse and even prefer the non traditional dressage horses.  I believe dressage is good for every horse.  

I have training packages that can be discussed 

I taught hunter/jumper lessons for many years as a young adult.

I started teaching dressage when I was asked for help at a barn I currently train out of.  I did not start teaching dressge until I felt confident I had the skill set to pass along to others.  I have cliniced and trained under many amazing Masters and Judges and have spent the last twenty years perfecting my skills.   I am certified in rider biomechanics.  

Most of my students are intermediate level riders with the desire to show in dressage.  

I also work with many horse owners that have lost confidence in their riding or have physcial issues that make riding harder.  

Horses and riders that have come from a different disapline.  I enjoy teaching the elements and expections of dressage.  

Had a student on a draft cross that tripped every stride because he was so unbalanced.  His owner had no confidence and had quit riding her horse because she could not get a trainer to teach her lessons.  I will admit I wasn't sure how it would go when we fist started working together.  Last month she rode her horse in a Ride-A-Test clinic and got an amazing score on her dressage test!!

Another student owned a spooking hot mare, when I met them they couldn't canter out of a 20 meter circle.  In time, Both horse and rider got scores towards their bronze medal and won 6th place out of 30 riders at Championships.  

Find a trainer that has experince with all levels and breeds of horses.

A show record is important. 

A trainer that encourages you but also tells you the truth.

A trainer that follows the German Training Scale and has demonstarted that they can apply theory.  

Dressage is hard work but it shouldn't get you down.  Don't let any trainer tell you, you can't do it.  

The cost

Your dedication

Your desire

Don't waste your time or your instuctors if you can't make a commitment.