Any recommendations for dressage instructor in Maryland/Virginia? Would be willing to trailer to Delaware for the right person. I would love to find a well rounded instructor that uses exercises to help unlock the horse and biomechanics for the rider. Icing on the cake would be an instructor that helps you define goals and structures a lesson program to help both horse and rider constructively get there. If they have their bronze, silver, gold I’m interested if they bought a horse to achieve these milestones or did they train the horse themselves.
Lots of great instructors in Maryland, but I will have others chime in, as I’m more familiar with Virginia.
Some I can suggest in Virginia (all have up to gold):
http://www.allisonspiveydressage.com/training-2
http://saraspofforddressage.com/current-program/#
http://hollywilmothdressage.com/
https://www.wildfirefarm.com/
http://www.halfpassfarmva.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ATrainingVision/
I would see via their training program pages/bios if they are a fit for what you are looking for!
Felicitas Von Neumann-Cosel at First Choice Farm in Woodbine, MD. Her way of explaining horse/rider biomechanics makes this layperson with a lot of anatomy/alignment training’s heart happy. Not sure if she has any USDF medals, but safe to say her credentials certainly go above & beyond.
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We have a wealth of talented riders here in Maryland, so I can’t imagine you have to go to Delaware! As far as gold medal riders in Maryland (in and around Montgomery County), here are a few:
- Felicitas Von Neumann-Cosel (as TheDBYC mentioned)
- Becky Langwost-Barlow (based on the Eastern Shore I think, but comes to MoCo weekly. I’ve found her to be more effective for upper-level riders but she has a dedicated group of lower-level riders as well)
- Cheryl Loane
- Carolyn DelGrosso
- Molly Xanthopoulos
- Siobhan Byrne
- Barbara Strawson
- Michael Bragdall and the other trainers at Hilltop
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I cannot recommend Stephanie more highly. I’ve known her for nearly 30 years and she is the real deal. Caring, careful, always puts the horse first. She is a long time student of Kathleen Raine and other big clinicians.
Debbie Bowman meets all of your requirements and then some (does Olympic team rider count?). debbiebowmandressage.com. She is based in Orange, Virginia and has an indoor. She also travels. She is so amazing, down to earth, and helps you understand your body mechanics and how it affects the horse.
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If you prefer the Eastern Shore, I would also recommend Jackie Kinney and Kelly McGinn.
