Professional Independant Trainers ...
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Training
Frances offers individual hourly lessons on your horse or one of her schoolmasters. Her horses are trained in the lateral movements, canter flying changes, piaf and passage. All levels of riders are welcome; she has a lively youth program with outstanding show results. For those who want to show, she teaches all aspects of that process in a supportive team atmosphere. While showing can provide a valuable means for setting and achieving goals, she does not believe it to be crucial to the development of the horse/rider relationship.
Frances bases her teaching on classical French dressage principles. She began her classical training while living in Southern France riding at the school of Nuno Olivera. To her, riding becomes art and the pursuit of beauty, harmony, and balance. She believes that classical dressage is the foundation for all training and uses it as the basis for jumping and rail classes too. A favorite pastime of Frances’ is Doma Vaquera riding, including the art of the Garrocha.
FRANCES CARBONNEL - Classical Legacy
TJ SOMMERFIELD - Core Dressage
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SUE SMITH
Sue Smith brings over 35 years of experience to training, developing and rehabilitating horses and riders. Based on her dressage studies with Hilda Gurney, Axel Steiner and Max Gawyhler among others; as well as our own Spanish Vaquero influenced traditions of the west, with the likes of Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt, she has developed a training program that focuses on establishing and building a strong foundation (for both horse and rider) based on the time-honored, classical principles shared in these traditions to develop a form of horsemanship that is inclusive, as a foundation for all disciplines. She applies these principles across multiple disciplines; Hunter pleasure, English Pleasure, Western Pleasure, as well as Classical and Western Dressage.
Sue's instruction extends beyond the fundamentals of riding to the development of truly effective horsemanship. She emphasizes observing, interpreting, understanding and responsiveness to the horse in order to build a relaxed and harmonious relationship. This approach helps each student develop an "inner instructor" in order that they have the knowledge, tools and ability to work with their horse, troubleshoot problems, and replicate successes achieved in lessons while riding on their own.
As a trainer, Sue specializes in challenging/misdirected horses and can rehabilitate even the most difficult cases. With a focus on interpreting and being responsive to the horse's perspective she trains each horse by tapping into and developing their unique strengths and abilities rather than forcing them into a rigid and formulaic training program. Emphasis is given to developing skills for horse and rider that establish a communicative safety web for appropriate responses - a dialog- developing trust and understanding between horse and rider..
Sue's approach to training has resulted in success both in the show ring and out. Horses and riders under her tutelage hold awards at the National, Regional and local levels of competition. These are in Open, Junior rider and Adult Amateur divisions.
As well as developing riders to be competitive at their level and discipline of choice, some of her most rewarding achievements have been in instilling confidence and the joy of sound horse-manship in riders who have become disillusioned and dis-heartened, helping them re-establish their love for and a strong partnership with their horse whether that performance is pleasure/trail-riding or world-class competition.
Another area of accomplishment has been the timid or fearful rider- helping them to develope confidence and security in their ability to interact successfully and safely in the world of horses.
She offers and is currently accepting:
Hourly lessons for riders 6+ up (beginners to advanced) - your horse or hers
Horses in training - full training, rehabilitation or tune-ups
Guidance and direction for the do-it-yourselfer
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