As the title says has anyone ridden with Britta?
My daughter has lessoned with her.
And…?
I have the opportunity to ride with her hopefully on a somewhat regular basis and was just looking for some opinions.
I have not lessoned with her, but I have watched her ride and teach, and I think she is really excellent. I would ride with her myself except she’s too far from me. Go give her a try, I think you’ll be impressed.
Go for it!
Britta is one of my neighbors, and has been nothing but friendly and warm to me. I haven’t seen her teach, but I have seen her ride, and she is very elegant and tactful. She does clinics ALL over the place, so she must be doing something right! 
Britta
I rode with Britta when she was in Louisiana and she is awesome!! She is a beautiful rider and a great teacher.
Another COTHer (can’t remember her screen name) rides with Britta now on the weekend. I have only heard good things about her and her teaching. 
Britta started my three year old this past year, and I rode with her several times in the three months while he was there. I can’t possibly say enough good things about what she did with Beckham…its the BEST money I’ve ever spent on training, and I really did like her no nonsense, common sense approach to riding and training. If you have the opportunity to ride with her - I’d say you should take it!
No, but someone I trust recommends her highly.
Britta is an excellent clinician. she evaluates your horse and listens to your needs, will find a solution you can actually practice. she is strict and correct and expects the student to be disciplined, fit and attentive. the lessons are tough but uplifting and always end on a positive experience for your horse 'who will be proud of himself '. she visits long island a few times a year to teach and it is well worth it to audit even if you cannot ride.
While it’s been a while since we worked with Britta, I have nothing but very positive things to say. I think some of the other posters said it very well. She is a very elegant rider and a correct teacher. The only reason we could not continue was simply due to the very long distance – just difficult to keep it consistent. I’d highly recommend Britta.
Oh crumb…sorry to hear she only will work with someone who is riding fit.
I met Britta briefly and quite by accident when I took one of my employees to a cross country session at a barn where (she, Britta) was riding. She seems to have good credentials and words of praise here.
I have been out of serious riding for some years now due to injuries and now, time contraints for elder care – so I’m anything but riding fit for lack of time. Lord knows, I’m physically fit from running a farm for 20+ years …but that’s not the same as core fitness or riding fitness that I used to have. Now that I’m ready to get back “to it” I thought about calling Britta as I really want someone classically trained who will help me through my “compensation” and muscle memory issues that have amassed over the years from handling and training babies, youngsters and stallions. As you get older every physical trauma rears its ugly head and surely it affects one’s riding unless you have someone seasoned on the ground to help.
My horse(s) are well trained, but have been on vacation for awhile. I don’t want to screw them up as I bring them back into work with all of my own body issues to deal with. So they continue to sit idle.
When I hear that someone is only willing to work with those who are riding fit, it’s discouraging for someone like me – esp. when one is finally having time to get back in the saddle in their “later years” but doesn’t want to forego continuing the right training for the horse – from a classically trained and seasoned professional.
I tried someone else last year (a very, very nice u/l eventer) – it was totally unproductive for me and the horse (3rd level). I was instructed as a beginner (that’s okay) but the training for the horse ran counter to every thing I had learned from my earlier instructor (of the Carol Lavelle, Mike Poulin and Pam Goodrich style)…she’s retired.
Anyone else in the NoVA area that might fit the bill for me?
sid,
I would not discount Britta based on what you may have heard about needing to be “riding fit”. I rode with her last week in a clinic and can tell you quite honestly that I am not as riding fit as I could be. Like yourself, I was much more fit 10 years ago when a working student in Germany and as time has marched on and other committments took precedence, my fitness certainly waned. Britta was very encouraging in my lessons, but that is not to say that she demanded anything less than the very best I was capable of doing. The same could be said for my horse, who is also just coming back into what I would describe as serious work. She is demanding in that she insists on one riding well and also stated that core strength is very important, but not at all in a mean or condescending way. I would strongly encourage you to give her a try!
I’m about as serious as one can get – yet, with an air of forgiveness for things beyond my control for both me and my horses (grin).
Nevertheless, there are trainers who have the younger,fitter and competition-minded in their sites. Don’t want to go there.
Just wanted to be sure I won’t be treated as a “has been” or neophyte…or worse flogged for being out of shape because life threw me some curves in recent years.
The passion and seriousness is there and always will be…just finding someone who understands I am a seasoned horsewoman as well and respects that despite my age and physical limitation, who will afford me the patience and a really good eye that will help me relearn my body in the saddle has been the challenge and kept me idle when I really could be riding.
SID, I highly recommend Pascal Martin. I pm’ed you his contact info.
YL beat me to it!
Sid – I read your post and also thought – “Pascal.” He is extremely knowledgeable, kind, patient and a true gentleman and horseman.
I remember Pascal from years ago when I would watch him hold would do clinics at Tailwind Farm (Deana Vaughn) …and eventing barn.
We used to giggle when he would tell you to “TWAT”…!! Hard to keep your twat in the seat when you’re laughing so hard… he was a good sport about all the laughs though, whenever he said that word.
I’ve never been a huge fan of the French school of dressage, but for my present day purposes and my situation, quite frankly who cares if he can get me put back together and has the patience to do so (wink!).
I hadn’t thought of him, nor heard much about what he was doing after an almost fatal accident. Glad to hear he’s still out there.
[QUOTE=sid;2925582]
We used to giggle when he would tell you to “TWAT”…!! Hard to keep your twat in the seat when you’re laughing so hard… he was a good sport about all the laughs though, whenever he said that word.
QUOTE]
HAHA!! Yup – still an issue!!
[QUOTE=Cold Spring Farm;2925600]
[QUOTE=sid;2925582]
We used to giggle when he would tell you to “TWAT”…!! Hard to keep your twat in the seat when you’re laughing so hard… he was a good sport about all the laughs though, whenever he said that word.
QUOTE]
HAHA!! Yup – still an issue!![/QUOTE]
HAHA…omg…I just laughed out loud in my cubicle…thanks alot!!!
Sid, I also PMed you info for Fie Ottosen. She sounds like she’d suit your needs very well.
