[QUOTE=dressageaddict;8908597]
Think this person is someone who hasn’t boarded at Debbies or know about her business dealings. One horse is $25k and anyone can see why that horse is more. She’s won almost everything she’s been shown in.
I DO NOT have lots of money - that is downright insulting and neither does anyone else I know there. I am working three jobs to make ends meet and at least two others are doing the same so thanks for assuming we are all clients with lots of money that are scared of riding…that alone tells me you don’t know the barn that well.
If a student buys a horse from the barn they ride at isn’t that a good sign? I have ridden at places for shorter periods of time where I wouldn’t have dealt with that coach for a horse for any price.
None of the horses sold were her own greenies. She has three horses - one is green and she isn’t selling that one it is her future show horse.
My horse gets plenty of turnout and others that get less are on layup or receive less for other reasons. Again - find out more before you assume.
90% of dressage riders in Ontario are first level or below. Debbie trains correctly and that takes time. She drives us forward but as an adult amateur myself (a scared rider with lots of money apparently) my own desire to get it right and build a good foundation hasn’t pushed me to second level yet. We are schooling travers, shoulder-in and starting on changes but you probably won’t see us showing those next year until they are solid.
I can also recommend Meredith Risk if you are north of the city if you are west of the city then highly recommend Equestrian Dreams. PM me if you would like info from someone who boards there.[/QUOTE]
It’s a bit of a sidetrack but I wanted to reply to this post because it’s important to look at a trainer’s clientele as well as just show results. If showing at the Gold level is important to the OP, then yes, I would suggest choosing a barn where most of the students are also doing that. However that’s not everyone’s goal.
I know several barns - and Equestrian Dreams is a good example - where the majority of the boarders are adult amateurs with jobs and families and few of them are able to ride more than 3 times a week. They train hard, take lessons and go in clinics but showing outside of schooling / Bronze isn’t in their budget or one of their goals. Doesn’t mean the quality of the training / instruction is any less. Just something to remember when the OP is out looking. Same goes for many talented trainers who don’t show themselves. I know great instructors with crappy / no show records and great riders with impressive records who are terrible instructors. Best plan is to always visit in person, observe a few lessons and speak with boarders. Any reputable barn will encourage you to do this.
A quick look at the Equestrian Dreams Facebook page shows recent in house clinics with Jeremy Steinberg and Jacqueline Brooks, which suggests to me there is some high level learning going on there.
