I hate to be cynical, but he sounds like another person with no real background or experience riding or training Dressage horses who has found a way to make money from people who don’t know what they don’t know.
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It’s hard to say off of one afternoon but yes I’m still a little confused on his background. Grew up on a ranch and started colts. Okay. Worked with another Western trainer who was dabbling in dressage … Okay. But was there anyone in between that Western trainer doing dressage things and Dominique Barbier? I’m so curious how he came into the picture. And now it’s not Barbier but Hueschmann which sounds very different in philosophy from each other. Just interesting and curious how this path was formed.
That said, Cody seemed like a gifted horseman, trainer and instructor. I would think of him more as someone with a broad base of knowledge than someone specialized in dressage. That’s what it appeared to me.
I am interested in what his cavaletti clinics are like. I would be interested in that for something different and fun to do.
Editing to add: I’m a mediocre rider with much to learn still but not a novice either. I have been a working student for a gold medalist, a working student for an eventer that was going through the L program, worked on a breeding farm and ridden with plenty of BNT and judges. Like I said nothing was mind blowing but I didn’t see anything harmful or wacky either.
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It’s good that he’s not doing any damage, but why would anyone pay a person with no record of success, no record of successful students, or horses they have produced?
I’m a little irked by “trainers” who take people’s money when they are not qualified to teach. Just look at how Peronace conned people into paying him for “clinics”, when he was completely unqualified to teach anyone anything about Dressage, until he was finally exposed for what he was.
I would want, at least, to see the trainer ride a decent Dressage test, recently or in the past and if they can’t, they shouldn’t take people’s money claiming to teach them how to ride or train horses for Dressage.
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Was the $600 for three rides, or two? Either way, that seems pretty high for training level instruction with someone without a lot of credentials.
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Marketing is a hell of a drug.
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I guess so, but it’s sad that marketing sometimes overrides common sense.
There is certainly a significant need for help for adult beginners, intermediates and returning riders who feel “stuck” which is a polite way to say in over your head with too much horse and locked in a downward spiral. With issues that won’t be solved by just schooling in a specific discipline. I figured my own way out of some self created problems early on, but I have also watched people pretty much give up and go to lead n feed because the under saddle situation deteriorated so much
Fixing this requires fixing the rider as much as the horse, and that part is challenging.
If Cody is genuinely able to help these people, that is great. But the clinic is unlikely to look like dressage.
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$600 for 6 sessions is my understanding. But yes still priced a bit high considering I can go take a lesson with a local gold medalist for $100-$120
$600. to be trained by someone who has no record riding or training in what they are “teaching”?
Yikes.
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I totally get it and that’s why I started this thread honestly.
That being said, I didn’t get the impression that he was in the same ballpark as Nick P. From what I’ve seen, Cody actually has a wonderful seat and it’s my understanding that he had a real business starting horses just not in dressage.
I haven’t seen enough to really have an opinion on the guy, but I myself am more comfortable riding with people with track records and students that I know the results. I am curious why he hasn’t shown because from what I’ve seen I don’t think he would do poorly.
There is another trainer, colt starter ( Buck B type) that started in dressage and quickly got her bronze and silver medals. I would put them in a similar category tbh. Some horsemanship and great seat (and nice horses) definitely can get you far, quickly.
Agreed. I ride with a very accomplished FEI coach, and the number of her own clients who would rather spend $600 riding at a clinic with hardly a resume to speak of instead of taking an extra lesson here and there is astounding. I’ve even seen riders at my barn complain and moan about how my coach isn’t magically making them an FEI rider overnight (on their 18yo QH) and leave for coaches with zero credentials, but they charge $500 more per month, so they must be good.
I think part of it is that everyone wants to feel special, and having a coach tell you to fix the same old boring problems you’ve had for forever and haven’t been able to fix just isn’t as exciting as going to a clinic with someone who puts a quick fix on because they’ve only got 1-2 days. It’s not very sexy to realize that there aren’t panaceas or shortcuts, or perhaps that you aren’t as naturally gifted at riding as you thought you were. It’s more fun to go somewhere where someone (who conveniently hasn’t seen you insist on doing the same dumb stuff every day for the last 3 years) tells you you’re amazing and doing great!
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Who’s the other trainer?
I get it. Peronace was a con man in league of his own. He might have learned to ride better if he hadn’t had the misguided impression that he was a professional and wanted to make the money without putting in the time to be competent.
Any experienced cowboy could have done better. And that goes for other people who think that their at home or local show riding, qualifies them to teach.
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I wanted to update that I was ready to leave by horse #4 but she asked to stay to watch horse #5. But she’s watched a lot of dressage clinics and lessons in my lifetime:)
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I mean at least Cody seems to be continuing his own education through bringing in clinicians… But still odd to skip training with one of the many local qualified trainers in the area. But maybe we are just missing some history… idk
Monique Potts. She’s pretty well regarded in the area but hasn’t been doing dressage very long (to my knowledge) But I believe she earned her medals on her own young horse she started.
My point is, good horsemanship is good horsemanship. Some understanding of dressage principles is good too. But I take my dressage specific questions to more seasoned dressage trainers. But I’ve gone to Monique Potts for some young horse stuff and plan to go again to work on some obstacle stuff too. I think her knowing where I’m coming from (Dressage background) is a plus though.
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Well, $100 a ride isn’t too terrible, at least. Still probably overpriced, but at least it wasn’t $200-300/ride!
I don’t think anyone is saying he’s like Nick P, but maybe charging a bit much for where he is in his career. Glad he is at least teaching solid basics!
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My understanding was it was $600 for 6 sessions (two sessions a day for three days) so about $100 a session. Probably still a bit high.
Just to be clear I ride with a Silver Medalist twice a week that rode up to GP on her self trained horse (and has gotten a few people their bronze and at least one other their own silver medal.) She trained mostly with Alex Gerding and Debbie Reihl-Rodriguez, now she clinics mostly with George Williams and Sarah Martin. I appreciate her SO much and I’m happy that she encourages me to ride in clinics and expand my knowledge outside of her too. But I’m not a novice or beginner either which helps not create confusion.
Yeah my trainer who’s much more qualified charges $50. Lol too little imo.
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Yeah, even after my instructor spent over 5 years with Lilo Fore, she still charged $85. She did have to raise prices the last two years, so now it’s $125, but she has been able to help me up the levels and comes to my barn. The jumping trainer I sometimes take lessons with was an advanced eventer going for an Olympic team and charges $75.
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