Does anyone know of any good instructors or trainers close to me? I’m located in Rhode Island, but I’ll travel a reasonable distance into Connecticut or Massachussetts if need be.
There are a number of good trainers listed in the links on the New England Dressage Association website. Here is a link to the website.
new england instructors
Hi…Ellie Coletti is in Middleboro MA - about 50 minutes from Providence 495…She’s worth a call…781-789-3016, She’ll be at the NEDA Spring Show this weekend. 
Lou Denizard is in Rhode Island. http://www.delantedressage.com/
Or, if you venture into Massachusetts there are Bill Warren and Bill McMullen. http://www.cutlerfarmdressage.com/ as well as Dotty Morkis (. I believe Lynne Kimball-Davis will be in MA for the summer, but she’s in FL for most of the year, so I don’t know if that would work for you if you’re looking for something more permanent.
There are some more “local” type dressage trainers I could recommend as well that offer solid basics but aren’t “big names,” depending on what you’re looking for.
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Lou Denizard is in Rhode Island. http://www.delantedressage.com/
Or, if you venture into Massachusetts there are Bill Warren and Bill McMullen. http://www.cutlerfarmdressage.com/ as well as Dotty Morkis (. I believe Lynne Kimball-Davis will be in MA for the summer, but she’s in FL for most of the year, so I don’t know if that would work for you if you’re looking for something more permanent.
There are some more “local” type dressage trainers I could recommend as well that offer solid basics but aren’t “big names,” depending on what you’re looking for.[/QUOTE]
I’m really liking Lou Denizard, but I’ll take local recommendations. It could be a bit before I have enough saved up for lessons of his caliber. I’ll give him a call, but if you don’t mind me asking, do you happen to know how much his lessons are and if you have to ship in or if they have lesson horses?
Local Instructors
I’m not that familiar with “local” folks in RI, so I know a few names but can’t vouche for their methods at all. Helen Cast is at Smithfield Equestrian Center in Chepachet RI. There’s Heather Godsoe Summit Dressage in Coventry. Both Helen and Heather have competed at FEI levels. Kim Hazard (Turning Point Dressage) is in Foster, RI. I know absolutely nothing about that place except that it exists.
In MA there are a few local people I could recommend that I actually have seen teach, but by the time you come up this way and pay for gas etc. if you’re using school horses or truck your own horse in, you might as well pay to ride with Lou.
One of my friends had a horse in training with Lou and really liked him. I saw a few of her lessons and saw him ride a bit. I’d give him a shot if at all possible if I were in your position.
Forgot to mention that I don’t know about prices or school horses at Lou’s. I do think that ultimately you’ll want to be able to ride your own horse with whomever you train with, although school horses might be helpful to begin with.
The two Bills are great, but Lynne is fabulous! Do you know where she will be teaching? I used to ride with her but lost touch since she’s been in Florida.
She’ll be back at Sugar Ridge Farm in Dover. She’d be my pick out of that list as well, but probably not geographically possible for the OP.
Warren-McMullin
Bill and Bill are simply the best! And I believe they have a schoolhorse or 2…
Lou will be judging a schooling show at Ten Broeck Farm, Pepperell, MA on June 15. Might be worth a trip to show as well as get to know owners Phil and Orintha Silva. Orintha is a wonderful trainer. http://www.tenbroeckfarm.net
I rode with one of the Bill’s when he was still in VT. Very nice people. I’d go for training there, but it’s pretty far from the north shore, especially with gas prices these days.
