Greetings!
I’m moving from eastern France (outside Geneva) to the San Francisco Bay Area - probably Marin, and am looking for a trainer in French light dressage specializing in lusitanos.
I’d be grateful for:
I’m new here, but not a greenie, refers to the number of posts you have, not your riding experience.
re barbier, you like capes?
SLC2 - :lol::lol::lol:
As for the rest, nolo contendre.
my 2 cents
Dominique has some value, but he is more interested in himself than in training the horse. He has a cult following here in the states - more like a rockstar than a horse trainer.
I think it depends on what you are looking for.
Dominique is charismatic and charming. He has a great Yogi, chill, smell the roses and meditate, life philosophy and its really fun, relaxing and peaceful to be around him.
BUT, if you are interested in riding dressage, you should absolutely look elsewhere.
ditto:yes:
I hope someone from that area will give you some helpful recommendations for other trainers via private message.
Sorry you are getting this sort of introduction to the board.
There is a french Saumur trained instructor called Nathalie Guion in Sonoma who may be able to make some recommendations. Her website is: http://www.scequestraining.com/
Not an Andalusian trainer per say but one of the best trainer in Marin/Sonoma is Jane Weatherwax. Jane is an I judge and she wont turn your horse into a pretzel. She trains weekly at Woodbridge Farm. http://www.woodbridgefarmdressage.com/ which would be a good place for your horse. They also have clinics with Manolo Mendez who started training Mr. Domecqu’s horses and became the first Head Rider of the Jerez school. Volker Bromman also clinics there: http://www.volkerbrommann.com/
You will be surprised by what you find out here and should proceed cautiously - go and watch and watch and watch lessons and barns before you make any commitments. There are a couple of professed french school trainers out here and you will have to decide for yourself wether they fit the bill.
There is a french Saumur trained instructor called Nathalie Guion in Sonoma who may be able to make some recommendations. Her website is: http://www.scequestraining.com/
Not an Andalusian trainer per say but one of the best trainer in Marin/Sonoma is Jane Weatherwax. She trains weekly at Woodbridge Farm. http://www.woodbridgefarmdressage.com/ which would be a good place for your horse. They also have clinics with Manolo Mendez who started training Mr. Domecqu’s horses and became the first Head Rider of the Jerez school.
You will be surprised by what you find out here and should proceed cautiously - go and watch and watch and watch lessons and barns before you make any commitments.
Weird.
I’ve watched some of his work and came away not agreeing with the method.
Very mixed and very contoversial.
I have seen the “cult-like following”, and I have also seen serious instruction- particularly with one of my Eventing insturctors who has, herself, studied with Nuno.
I took one clinic from him, but didn’t do it again, because he didn’t add anything significant to what my dressage instructor (who also studied with Nuno) gives me, and she has the added advantage of knowing my horses better. There were no particular thatrics in my session, and I don’t think he even wore his cape.
If you do a search here, you will find VERY mixed opinions. It seems that some of his clinics are more showman than instructor.
Possible option
Not located in California, but available for clinics:
Jean Paul Pare - he is a graduate of the Cadre Noir, trained with Nuno Oliveira, and has for many years been the trainer and dear friend of the Mendonca family, who breed wonderful Lusitanos in Ontario, Canada. He is a wonderful teacher of the Fench classical school, and very pleasant to work with. If nothing else, he might be able to suggest someone you could work with locally.
Good luck with your search.
not all good writers are good trainers.
Lucky you- moving from France to California! Lucky on both ends!
I believe slc2 and egontoast have both spent time in “France”.
Barbier is excellent, but his wife teaches as well at their farm. Some find her style of teaching to be superior – I personally think that as a TEACHER she is outstanding. For both of them, they understand the Lusitano breed much better than most folks out there and can help achieve incredible results. They’ll also work with other ‘non’ traditional dressage breeds like Arabians and such. Lovely farm and a great working student program out there too.
Their horses (stallions included) are available for lessons, so if I were you I’d go and take a lesson from BOTH of them on different dates and see what you think.
I bought a horse from a farm in WI that used to have him for clinics, I believe. I know that was the style of riding they preferred four years ago, but haven’t kept in touch since. If you want to contact them regarding their thoughts and for a reference, it is www.plumlakedressage.com
Good luck on finding someone who is right for you!
Search for video of him on YouTube. Revealing.
HI- I actually have a lot of info on this…might be able to help a little. I actually recently moved back to New York, from the Bay Area California. I was a working student at Barbier’s place in Healdsburg for a time, while I got my Equine Science degree nearby. I was there about 6 months, right before I moved here. I have some actual, first hand experience with him. I’m going back into racing, but I can tell you what I know…
1- Just FYI, Healdburg, where he is located, is about 1 1/2 hours away from San Fran proper. And that’s with no traffic. Certain days/times you could easily be looking at a 2 hour drive from the San Fran area. He is in Sonoma County, not Marin County. It took me over 45 minutes one way daily-- from Santa Rosa. Riverside Equestrian is a bit closer, and they have some good trainers.
2- I would suggest you do some lessons with Shanna, the assistant trainer. She is fantastic. She’s a phenomenal horsewoman who is tough on you, but really brings out your best. If you have any skill at all, you will excel with her. I took most of my lessons with Shanna
3- The horses… the horses are amazing. No doubt about it. The schoolmaster horses are really just amazing creatures. Orghulo was by far my favorite, and I suggest you try to get a lesson on him, if your skill level allows. If you like Lusitanos, you will leave your lessons LOVING them.
4- He is eccentric, and a character. He has a great sense of humor. But he’s not for everyone. I joked and said anyone under the age of 25 probably will not “get” him. He stays very true to Classical Dressage… and you have to ask yourself if his methods are ones that you agree with. I’m not going to tell you he’s great or not great-- it’s totally subjective.
I WILL say he is knowledgeable, humane, and safe. Those are three of the most important factors, I think…for ANY trainer you choose. The rest is just your own preferences in style, ect. You need to go to the barns, take a look around, ask questions, trust your gut.
I personally have experience with Barbier, Jack Burns, Lilo Fore and Gail McGuffey and Christine Rivlin. If you have any questions on them, you can PM me. Good luck!
HI- I actually have a lot of info on this…might be able to help a little. I actually recently moved back to New York, from the Bay Area California. I was a working student at Barbier’s place in Healdsburg for a time, while I got my Equine Science degree nearby. I was there about 6 months, right before I moved here. I have some actual, first hand experience with him. I’m going back into racing, but I can tell you what I know…
1- Just FYI, Healdburg, where he is located, is about 1 1/2 hours away from San Fran proper. And that’s with no traffic. Certain days/times you could easily be looking at a 2 hour drive from the San Fran area. He is in Sonoma County, not Marin County. It took me over 45 minutes one way daily-- from Santa Rosa. Riverside Equestrian is a bit closer, and they have some good trainers.
2- I would suggest you do some lessons with Shanna, the assistant trainer. She is fantastic. She’s a phenomenal horsewoman who is tough on you, but really brings out your best. If you have any skill at all, you will excel with her. I took most of my lessons with Shanna
3- The horses… the horses are amazing. No doubt about it. The schoolmaster horses are really just amazing creatures. Orghulo was by far my favorite, and I suggest you try to get a lesson on him, if your skill level allows. If you like Lusitanos, you will leave your lessons LOVING them.
4- He is eccentric, and a character. He has a great sense of humor. But he’s not for everyone. I joked and said anyone under the age of 25 probably will not “get” him. He stays very true to Classical Dressage… and you have to ask yourself if his methods are ones that you agree with. I’m not going to tell you he’s great or not great-- it’s totally subjective.
I WILL say he is knowledgeable, humane, and safe. Those are three of the most important factors, I think…for ANY trainer you choose. The rest is just your own preferences in style, ect. You need to go to the barns, take a look around, ask questions, trust your gut.
I personally have experience with Barbier, Jack Burns, Lilo Fore and Gail McGuffey and Christine Rivlin. If you have any questions on them, you can PM me. Good luck!
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