Dressage Trainer near Snohomish, WA

[DressurLeben]

I’m looking for a classical dressage trainer near Snohomish, WA.

Classical, as in rooted in the principles established at the Spanish Riding School. No rollkur. Horse’s longevity is top priority.

I know that many trainers have no need to advertise and don’t have websites. Our sport has always relied on word-of-mouth news. Since I’m new to the area, it’s hard to find all the trainers in the area. Can you all help me with a list of names?

I’m willing to travel inside the “circle” of Snohomish, Sultan, Duvall, Redmond, Woodinville, Bothell, Mill Creek area.

Carnation and Sammamish are a stretch, but if you know someone awesome in that area, please share.

[RedmondDressage]

I highly recommend Roxanne Christenson in Monroe. You’ll be hard pressed to get better, more knowledgeable instruction anywhere else in the area.

[Foxtail]

If you’re into the French school, there’s Jane Judson and Nichole Walters. They might be a little far for you though. Both are in Carnation.

[DressurLeben]

From what I can tell, Nichole and Jane don’t seem to show much. Do they take their students to shows?

I want to show and move up the levels. I’m looking at 3rd/4th level this summer, hopefully heading all the way to GP eventually. It’s important that my trainer have experience training through GP. I don’t care if the trainer shows, just that they know how to train up the levels.

[Scribbler]

I believe that Jane Judson is very experienced, and has a previous show career. She is currently a student in the Philippe Karl Legerete course running out of Nichole Walter’s barn in Carnation (taught by Bernard Ravoux, from France). If you wanted to see what that is all about, you could most likely go and audit a session. I think you might find it very interesting as a program.

http://www.cadburyfarm.com/the-school-of-légèreté-at-cadbury-farm/

If you audit a session you will get to see horses at all stages of development, and decide if this is the program you want to follow. I don’t know if it’s what yo are looking for, but certainly worth checking out.

[ewells]

I wouldnt consider Jane Judson very experienced in the show ring.
http://www.centerlinescores.com/Rider/Details/51575

She hasn’t shown in 4 yrs only started to show 10yrs ago, attended 16 shows in that 6yr period with only 2 horses… This is of course only Recognized shows there is no records for schooling shows.

Jane Judson Dressage videos are available on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3x9EyHajNg

[ewells]

I wouldnt consider Jane Judson very experienced in the show ring.
http://www.centerlinescores.com/Rider/Details/51575

She hasn’t shown in 4 yrs only started to show 10yrs ago, attended 16 shows in that 6yr period with only 2 horses… This is of course only Recognized shows there is no records for schooling shows.

Jane Judson Dressage videos are available on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3x9EyHajNg

[Scribbler]

Ah, I see you can’t use usdf without paying a fee. Centerline Scores says prior to 2003, their data may be incomplete. I don’t know Jane well, so I don’t actually know her background. I could be wrong, but thought she had earlier experience before becoming an instructor. Typically too people who participate in the PK program bow out of showing themselves for a few years while they retrain from the ground up or start new horses. Best thing would be to ask them, go see the PK clinics, etc. It may be just what the OP wants, or it might not, but if it is was OP wants, it’s a great opportunity to have so close by. If it isn’t what OP wants, nothing lost.

[Beentheredonethat]

Sonja Vracko is in Woodinville. She’s old, but I think doing great. I’ve learned a lot from her the few clinics I’ve had, she rode forever, and she’s an S judge.

[Beentheredonethat]

Since I can’t edit, I’ll add. She brought many horses to GP and showed and has brought many people to that level. http://sonjavracko.com/

[Dbliron]

Try Mike Osinski, he’s in Lacey, which might be a bit of a haul, but he’s worth the effort.

[Beentheredonethat]

I don’t know the locations, but Mike is good, too.

[Candle]

Try Debby Martin in Redmond

[Crash_Helmet]

[QUOTE=Scribbler;8968412]
Best thing would be to ask them, go see the PK clinics, etc. It may be just what the OP wants, or it might not, but if it is was OP wants, it’s a great opportunity to have so close by. If it isn’t what OP wants, nothing lost.[/QUOTE]
Except the $125 per day auditing fee. :eek:

[RedmondDressage]

[QUOTE=Beentheredonethat;8968479]
I don’t know the locations, but Mike is good, too.[/QUOTE]

it’s about a two hour drive from Snohomish so probably not something one would want to/have time to do on a regular basis.

[Mondo]

I sent you a PM

[ideayoda]

As did I

[DressurLeben]

Mondo, I got your message. Thank you.

Ideayoda, I don’t see your message. Try again?