Dressage trainer who likes TBs in NOVA/MD

[see_u_at_x]

Yes, I know there have been a zillion and one threads on trainers in this area. I’ve searched, but frankly, the search function here drives me nuts and I always have a difficult time finding exactly what I want.

Anyhoo, my friend is looking to send her OTTB to a dressage trainer, and is looking for the following:

[LIST=1]

She really wants one who LIKES TBs, as from her experience, many of the dressage trainers around here seem very dismissive of TBs and prefer WBs because of...well, because of whatever reason. She'd like to find someone familiar with TBs and who really appreciates the TB mind and "gets" them.

She also does not want her horse being just a number and is looking for individual attention. She has one of her horses with a LBNT trainer right now and things aren't really going as she had hoped. Originally she'd planned to send her TB to this trainer, but now she's not so sure.

Also, she primarily wants the trainer him/herself riding this horse. With the horse that she currently has at the trainer, there is another person riding her horse all the time, which she is not happy with. She feels that she's paid her money to have THAT trainer ride her horse and for their expertise, and it was her understanding when she sent the horse there that other people would not be riding the horse. They also do not even call her horse by it's name, but instead have made up something completely different to call it. (There are other issues as well, but I hesitate in getting too specific.)

Finally, she really wants someone who understands that this is a horse who is just starting dressage training and who "is not going to try to cram the horse into a 4th level dressage frame the minute they get on and call that dressage."[/LIST]

If anyone knows of someone to look into or to avoid, but prefer not to list their name publicly, please feel free to PM me.

Many, many thanks for your help!

[Foxhound]

I would highly recommend Alison Head at Looking Glass Farm in Hamilton, VA. I’ve trained with her for almost 20 years, and think she meets all your critera:

1. She has at least 3 OTTBs in her barn right now, and she has trained and competed others up the levels in the past. Alison’s system emphasizes throughness, connection, and rider position, and seems to lend itself well to teaching race-trained horses to relax and use their bodies correctly.
2. Alison’s barn is not huge, and she personally manages all the horses so she knows their personalities and what is going on with them on a daily basis. She has a small, caring staff that is very attentive to the horses and keeps her informed.
3. Alison is the only trainer in her barn and does all the riding and training. She occasionally has a working student that brings their own horse, but no assistants working horses for her. If she goes away for a few days (like to the USDF Convention) horses whose owners are not around may get lunged by someone else (who is also very skilled, and will have gotten a full “pre-briefing” on the horse), but 99% of the time Alison is the one working the horse.
4. Alison is very thorough and emphasizes correct basics and adherence to the training scale rather than moving a horse up the levels. She’s not interested in just “putting the movements” on a horse just to say it’s doing X level.
   Her email is lookingglassfarm (at) mac (dot) com, and you can find her and Looking Glass Farm on Facebook and in the Region 1 Omnibus and the VADA/Nova Green Book.

[BeverlyAStrauss]

Kimberley Saylor, True North Dressage, Frederick MD- Sabovee on COTH- Great TB advocate, lovely rider, and a nice person.

[Keep1Belle]

Cheryl Wyllie in Mount Airy, MD

[sm1]

since hte OTTB is just starting out, I would also consider eventers. They understand TBs and turnout, understand the head set that comes with a horse off the track, and other 24/7 OTTB considerations.

Eventers also have the built in ability to do a cross training, for example: to build the correct muscles through the back some low jumps usually help, to give the young horse a mental break they might be more inclined go out for a hack and school out there, etc, etc. VA is in Area 2: http://www.usea2.net/

My OTTB got a very foundation with eventers and was only shown at dressage shows (no eventing), then switched over around second level to a USEF R judge to go from Second Level to GP. I would take that path all over again in a heartbeat.

BEST OF LUCK!!

[sm1]

since the OTTB is just starting out, I would also consider eventers. They understand TBs and turnout, understand the head set that comes with horses off the track, and other 24/7 OTTB considerations.

Eventers also have the built-in ability with cross training, for example: to build the correct muscles through the back some low jumps usually help, to give the young horse a mental break they might be more inclined go out for a hack and school out there, etc, etc. VA is in Area 2: http://www.usea2.net/

My OTTB received a very solid foundation with eventers and was only shown at dressage shows (no eventing), then switched over around second level to a USEF R judge to go from Second Level to GP. I would take that path all over again in a heartbeat.

BEST OF LUCK!!

[srg]

You’ve been given some great suggestions so far. In addition, I would highly recommend Siobhan Byrne in Frederick Co. Maryland. Not only has she started several horses under saddle, but she also rides/trains through Grand Prix. Her website is www.qualiadressage.com She is particularly fond of “sensitive” horses and prides herself on her individual approach to each one she rides.

On my website (linked below) you can see several pictures and videos of Siobhan riding horses I have owned and bred. She is an incredibly gifted rider and trainer.

[EqTrainer]

@BeverlyAStrauss;4563147

Kimberley Saylor, True North Dressage, Frederick MD- Sabovee on COTH- Great TB advocate, lovely rider, and a nice person.

I don’t know any of the others recommended but I do know that Sabovee is great w/OTTB’s.

[Ames]

I would go with Sabovee above all others as well - she gets along great with all breeds but does have an affinity for tb’s.

[see_u_at_x]

Thank you all very, VERY

[Invite]

I second this

[QUOTE=srg;4566083]
You’ve been given some great suggestions so far. In addition, I would highly recommend Siobhan Byrne in Frederick Co. Maryland. Not only has she started several horses under saddle, but she also rides/trains through Grand Prix. Her website is www.qualiadressage.com She is particularly fond of “sensitive” horses and prides herself on her individual approach to each one she rides.

On my website (linked below) you can see several pictures and videos of Siobhan riding horses I have owned and bred. She is an incredibly gifted rider and trainer.[/QUOTE]

I was lucky enough to meet Siobhan when I attended a clinic at SRG’s farm. Day 1, she was riding a TB. She was sweet and kind. If I lived in her area, I would seriously consider riding with her. She is a stunningly gorgeous rider and seemed free of any ego. I cannot say enough about how kind she was. I am disabled and had the ride after Siobhan’s. I was very self conscious about warming up in the ring with the “perfect” rider, but she put me at complete ease. I never felt like she was looking down on me or judging my riding. I highly recommend givind Siobhan a try!

[Tnevent]

Lauren Sprieser is an excellent trainer. I’ve been taking lessons with her for about a year now. Some on TB’s. She is great with any breed. Won’t push a horse beyond what they are ready for. She’s also a great person to deal with! Her web site is www.spriesersporthorse.com

[system]

Kathleen Daniel Avillion in Brandywine, MD is an excellent dressage trainer and took her homebred TB to FEI levels. He didn’t have the movement to compete against the WBs but he could do passage and piaffe and the Spanish walk.

I worked with her for about 10 years training OTTB and her attitude is that any horse can do dressage. She is also a student of Francois Lemare DeRuffieu from the Cadre Noir, which also uses TBs.

Her website and contact information is here:

http://www.cheshirehorsehills.com/

[sid]

As someone else posted, I’d be very inclined to send this horse to an eventing professional – but one who has a TON of experience and accolades from owners in starting many, many green TB and OTTB’s for sport off the track.

I highly recommend Deanna Vaughn at Tailwind Farm in Aldie, Virginia. She’s an excellent and tactful instructor for both horse and rider.

She’s a master at TB’s and when you leave her, you and your horse will be ready for serious dressage training to whatever level it (or you) was meant to achieve…

[Knothead]

Well, I’m not very familiar with the area…but I do have a former trainer that works at Greener Pastures in MD I think? Sheesh, not very helpful, but her name is Barbara Berman and although she doesn’t limit herself to working with any one breed, and I don’t own a TB myself, I do know in the years I trained with her when she was here in NJ, she would rave about TBs and what a big heart they had. Anyway, if you google Greener Pastures - maryland … I think it might pop up as GreenerPasturesEquine or something like that. Barbara is a beautiful rider and a very kind trainer/instructor too. Very thoughtful and always considers the best thing for the horse (and rider too!)

[see_u_at_x]

Wow…you guys are amazing. I apologize for not responding sooner, but I’ve been recuperating from pneumonia and haven’t been actively online quite as much these past several days. (I still have some PMs that I need to address as well!) Your responses have been outstanding and I look forward to passing along the information to my friend. I feel optimistic that she’s received some great suggestions here and that she’ll find someone who will enjoy working with her horse.

Thank you all very, VERY much!!!