Experiences with Todd Bryan as Instructor? (Orlando, Florida, area)

[AllWeatherGal]

I love riding my own horse (rather than having her in full training where I got pretty lazy about everything), but am pretty sure that I need regular help.

None of the other folks at the place are interested in anything but trail and “natural” stuff, but one of them met Todd Bryan and suggested I talk to him about lessons since his facility is very close.

His training/showing credentials are quite strong, but I can’t find much recent chatter here whenever someone asks about Florida trainers/instructors.

Todd is willing to come to the small barn where I’ve got my horse. His fee is very fair for someone with his riding/training credentials (and I’m amazed he’s willing to come to us until we get to a point where a flattish pasture won’t do) but we’re not working on upper level stuff, so I would like to hear from people who know him as an instructor.

Would you share your experiences and impressions, either post or PM, please?

TIA.

[2tempe]

sending you a pm

[asterix]

Todd comes on a regular basis to several barns in MD, where he used to be based. He’s quite good with rider position and with understanding the dynamic of the horse and rider pair.
I have ridden with him on a green horse and on an older horse with arthritis issues, and found him able to adapt the work to what the horse could do in both cases, and gotten good results.

[happilyretired]

I know Todd well and highly recommend him. Sending you a pm with specifics.

[Jeannette_formerly_ponygyrl]

Definitely give him a call. I only got to ride with him a handful of times maybe 15 years ago, but I still remember and use some of his exercises and comments. Nice smart knowledgable guy would be my summary.

[tewhann]

Saw quite a bit of him in the mid Atlantic area. All of it good.

[SerenaGinger]

He and his wife came to look at a horse for sale where I used to board. That was my limited experience, but they were both very nice. Todd is tall and the horse was 15.1H so his wife rode, and she made that horse look better than anyone else I’d seen! B

[AllWeatherGal]

Thanks everyone for the great feedback.

[Melissa.Van_Doren]

Todd did clinics at a PA barn where I boarded in the late 90s/early 2000s. I rode with him there, watched a lot of other lessons, and hauled down to him in MD over a few years. He was a very good instructor and a very nice, honest person. I never hesitate to recommend him.

[FLeventer]

Rode with him quite a bit last year. Highly recommended by me.

[2tempe]

OP - glad to hear you had a good “test drive”!

[RedmondDressage]

OP, thank you for this thread! I travel to the Orlando area a few times a year for work and usually plan a free weekend there. I’ve been interested in finding someone to ride with when I’m there as I like a little variety and FL in the winter presents a prime opportunity to ride with some great trainers!

I’m currently competing at PSG on my horse who I trained - he’s a bit of a difficult horse though so I’d love to have the opportunity to get instruction on a horse that knows their stuff so I can work on some of my rider issues. Does anyone know if he has schoolmasters that would be appropriate?

[2tempe]

He had one older schoolmaster type; I rode it last year several times. I don’t know if the horse is still in work, you’d need to check with him.

[happilyretired]

RedmondDressage…Google The Bryan Center Dressage and you’ll find Todd’s website and contact information.

[AllWeatherGal]

The older schoolmaster type is still in work, though not a heavy schedule. He’s a delightful gentleman but usually busy on weekends when Todd is in town. If you’re a confirmed PSG rider, there may be other possibilities for you … give Todd a call when you know your schedule.

[S_SFarm]

I have had Todd start and train three of my youngsters over the years including taking one to competing successfully at I-l. I ride with him monthly when he is in Maryland. I would highly recommend him. He is a very good, knowledgable trainer ,evaluates what you and your horse need that day and helps both of you improve. He has taken many horses to Grand Prix and works with upper level riders as well as us not so advanced people. He is always highly positive and he and his wife are both lovely people.

[AllWeatherGal]

So far I can only confirm the positive feedback I’ve gotten.

Every lesson, whether on Andy or my own (rehabbing) mare has contained at least one lightbulb moment where a bunch of things I’ve “known” became true in my body.

Oh, plus, I’m regaining confidence