I am looking for a really good dressage trainer in Northern California. I am an event rider looking for a new dressage trainer. I need to be able to trailer in or if the trainer doesnt have a facility be able to come to mine.
TIA!
Where exactly? South Bay? Sacramento? East Bay? North Bay? The hinterlands beyond? 
SF Bay area
Hello!
If you are in the bay Area. James Alliston at graceland is an eventer/trainer. He does dressage, jumping and XC lessons. They have a new XC course on the property. Also Laurie Moore is East Bay, she is fantastic!
On the Peninsula there is Seven Oaks at Portola Valley.
NorCal is a very big place - where are you?
Rachel Williamson at Villa Rosa/Stanford Red Barn is fantastic.
Also looking…
Yes, I’m also looking for an experienced dressage trainer… In my case it’s for additional training for an endurance horse.
We just moved to Stockton and I don’t know the “equestrian scene” yet but within an hour driving distance would be good.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Sent you a PM!
I’m not the OP, but if anyone has any recommendations for the Sacramento area, I’d be interested to hear. 
[QUOTE=daisy_chain;4497378]
Rachel Williamson at Villa Rosa/Stanford Red Barn is fantastic.[/QUOTE]
I second Rachel, she is awesome!
[QUOTE=Lieselotte;4497410]
Yes, I’m also looking for an experienced dressage trainer… In my case it’s for additional training for an endurance horse.
We just moved to Stockton and I don’t know the “equestrian scene” yet but within an hour driving distance would be good.
Does anyone have any suggestions?[/QUOTE]
Check with Jec Ballou. She is out of the Santa Cruz are but travels to give clinics. She has done a lot of work with endurance horses and excels at working with horses/riders who aren’t doing dressage as their primary discipline.
If Livermore is within reasonable driving distance for you, Jill Munro is very good, nice to work with, very correct.
Dirk Glitz trains out of Yarra Yarra Ranch in Pleasanton, great facility with super footing and year round shows. Pretty sure you can haul in for lessons.
[QUOTE=jenm;4498137]
Check with Jec Ballou. She is out of the Santa Cruz are but travels to give clinics. She has done a lot of work with endurance horses and excels at working with horses/riders who aren’t doing dressage as their primary discipline.
jecballou.com[/QUOTE]
Agree! Also, lots of clinics at her place by other dressage trainers
Best lesson I have ever had was with Mike Etherly
http://www.michaeletherly.com/index.html
He’ll work your butt off. He’s at my barn again this weekend and I am just amazed at what he can get out of a horse and rider. I only recommend him however if you like to work hard and are serious.
IMO there are so many trainers in NorCal to chose from, you have to really soul search about what you want out of a trainer, out of a lesson, and out of your horse. There’s a trainer for every type of rider, you just have to find the person. What one person thinks is good is terrible to another.
My daughter trained with Mike Etherly. He is amazing! He is a super trainer and a really nice guy. Wish he was still up here in Washington State. We miss him.
You already know my picks Faluut42, but just for anybody else in this area… (I’m in Placerville).
Carolynne Smith - Shingle Springs
Michael Etherly- Wilton
Sandy Savage- Wilton
Personally, I’ve trained with Carolynne since 2007, and done many clinics with Michael… never personally trained with Sandy, but have heard good things
Rebecca Cushman in Petaluma is a very good trainer. She is a USDF Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medalist and currently competes at the Grand Prix Level. She has totally turned my horse around. I became a working student for her in May.
Just to make a point, I’ve been riding in the “northern California” area for 20 years. I’ve been scribing at shows for over 10 and done most of the CDIs in northern California.
I’ve never even heard of many of the trainers mentioned on this thread. I don’t see them listed in the CDS championships roster (http://www.california-dressage.org/PDF_files/09CDSChampionshipsW.pdf).
So, in addition to the folks mentioned here, there are many many more people from which to choose. For example, Carolyn Adams also trains out of Yarra Yarra, which is her facility. In the east bay, you also have your pick of Rachel Saavedra, Creeky Routson, Susan Routson, … farther north there’s Chelsey Sibley, somewhere in there you’ve got Nadine Pestana and Liz Hendricks … and Christiane Noelting (and Christian Hartung). And oh … Jane Weatherwax just moved to Petaluma, too, I think.
For anyone, I recommend you watch a lesson or two, talk to the person and get a feel for the situation. When you decide who you want, persevere.
YOu would find Rebecca Cushman listed at the Region 7 championships - but not with a score she was probably so happy about.
I agree with AWG - you just have to find one that suits your needs, you can’t throw a rock in the bay area and not find a “dressage” trainer. They come in all sizes, styles and price ranges.
There is also Sue Curry Schaffer @ Fairwind Farm - she is an R judge, her students do really well at the JRs/YRs (current student Rianna Porter, past students include Amanda Harlan) super facility and care given.
Marc Rijpens - super trainer, low key, very correct, works with lots of jumpers (used to train the horses at Plaid Ranch)
Lots of people to chose from - you really need to talk to each and see who fits what you are looking for.
and to add; just because someone doesn’t show - does not mean they cant train. watch them ride, teach, etc and make up your own minds
