Classical Dressage Training for horse & rider
Lessons * Schooling * Competing
Classical training methods teach the rider to be in total harmony with the horse, without force or gadgets to achieve a light, responsive and gymnastcised horse that is a pleasure to ride. This gymnastic development of the horse helps to mobilise joints and strengthen the horses muscles and ligaments, which helps to prolong the horse's working life.
My training methods are strongly influenced by the classical schools of Vienna, France and Portugal and also based upon the Scales of Training; Rhythm, Looseness, Contact, Impulsion, Straightness & Collection. This tried and tested scale is the building blocks of the horses correct training. I am also a strong believer in allowing the horse to stretch at regular intervals during a training session and at the beginning and the end of the session. Stretching the horse forwards and downwards, when done correctly, allows the horses muscles to recover during exercise and warms up and cools down the muscles effectively. Stretching the back mucsles (produces longitudinal suppleness) and helps to engage the hind legs.
The rider's position and seat plays a vital part in the way in which the horse works, and when a rider is able to sit and aid the horse correctly, their effectiveness significantly improves. I am very interested in the riders influence on the horse and focus not only on the horses way of going, but also improving the rider, which in turn improves the horse.
I teach both adults and children and horses and ponies of any shape, size or breed. Whatever your discipline, having a well schooled horse will make riding a more pleasurable, controlled and safe experience.
Having recently moved to the Essex/Suffolk border, I will travel to your yard or I can also teach you in my 27m x 50m outdoor arena. I currently drive approximately 50 miles away to my furthest client and teach in Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and London and am now available to teach in Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.
I also available to school and compete clients horses and can take horses in for schooling/competition livery and can teach clinics on request.
Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss your requirements see Contact page.