Looking For Serious Trainer WNC

[kazzajay414]

Hi all! I am an upper level rider living in WNC (right outside Asheville, specifically) and I am in desperate need of some suggestions.

First, a little backstory might be necessary. I am an (almost) 20 year old pro junior jumper, and I was in the lucrative business of training and flipping horses for people and myself. I had a great life, I was doing what I loved for a living and was on the hot track to being an international rider, and I was being eyeballed for the USET.

Then, unfortunately, my luck ran out, and all of the smaller injuries that I had not ever tended to and continued riding full-steam-ahead with (more specifically, compressed vertebrae in my upper back, a dislocated and broken hip, and many head injuries including one severe one) finally caught up to me when I had a very bad fall, and broke two of my vertebrae and partially dislocated my jaw. I also ended up prematurely jumpstarting a lovely neurodegenerative disease that I was apparently destined to be burdened with later in life. I’ve had my butt seriously kicked, and I’ve been through almost a collective year of physical therapy, lots of pain medication, many different fun medical specialists, and I’m on my last year of physical therapy. So guess what I’ve decided, after almost paralyzing myself in a riding accident?

It’s time to start riding again!!

So now for the highly anticipated question. I need a dressage trainer in Western North Carolina (Asheville area, specifically). But not just any old backyard trainer, oh no. I’m quite picky. I need someone, first and foremost, who trains upper level, preferably Grand Prix, and is CLASSICAL. I cannot stress that enough. Someone very Charles de Kunffy-esque. Someone who is all about the original principles, of knowing your horse and working hard and things taking lots of time to get right. I also need someone who isn’t going to baby me. I want someone to whip my butt into shape. I want someone who’s not afraid to make me cry, because I’m not taking lessons to have a good time, I’m taking them so I can hopefully start riding upper level professionally again. I need someone mean and strict who will make me wish I was never born up to twice a week.

Thanks in advance!

[yaya]

All of that, and you are only nineteen? :eek:

JJ Tate is in Landrum, SC, not that far away, and she actually clinics with de Kunffy.
https://www.team-tatedressage.com/

[Badger]

JJ is the obvious CDK connection/recommendation.

But why do you need mean and strict and want to cry twice a week? High standards and good discipline and a successful knowledgeable program doesn’t have to be delivered by a marine drill sargent or Mommy Dearest. If you will provide your own drive and discipline and realistic self-assessment (all needed to be a successful pro), then honest and encouraging and knowledgeable should be sufficient in an instructor. Blunt and taktful should be available in equal doses as the situation warrants.

[piedmontfields]

Charles de Kunffy is a long time (like 25 years) mentor to JJ Tate. JJ is an outstanding trainer and teacher, and has demonstrated ability to bring horses and students up to the FEI levels. She is based in Landrum April-November. She is also an exceptional human being, with deep integrity. I think of her as being extremely fair to students and horses. That can involve telling you the truth—which might make you cry?! But this is not mean IMO–just part of education. JJ is also one of the hardest working dressage professionals you could meet, and her work ethic is inspiring to her students.

Several of JJ’s former assistant trainers also work in the area between Columbus + Tryon NC and Landrum. I think you would do well to start your inquiry with JJ and then explore for fit and availability. Ashley Perkins for ex. remains in WNC (Columbus) year round I think, while JJ spends winters in Wellington.

[kazzajay414]

@yaya

All of that, and you are only nineteen? :eek:

JJ Tate is in Landrum, SC, not that far away, and she actually clinics with de Kunffy.
https://www.team-tatedressage.com/

Nineteen isn’t a young age to be as accomplished as I am! I’ve seen lots of fantastic riders who are competing more consistently at top level that are 13-16. There is some incredible young talent these days, especially in pony jumpers.

That being said, thank you to all who have recommended this trainer. It’s fantastic that she even clinics with de Kunffy, that’s near perfect. Landrum just happens to be within an hour and a half of where I live, which is a perfectly reasonable distance to travel for a good trainer.

[kazzajay414]

@Badger

JJ is the obvious CDK connection/recommendation.

But why do you need mean and strict and want to cry twice a week? High standards and good discipline and a successful knowledgeable program doesn’t have to be delivered by a marine drill sargent or Mommy Dearest. If you will provide your own drive and discipline and realistic self-assessment (all needed to be a successful pro), then honest and encouraging and knowledgeable should be sufficient in an instructor. Blunt and taktful should be available in equal doses as the situation warrants.

Not sure, I’ve always flourished under a drill sergeant type of leadership. I think it’s because I tend to goof off of I get bored, one of my weaknesses I need to overcome, and someone who isn’t afraid to scold me and make sure I’m on task is the kind of person I really like to ride under. I’ve found classically trained dressage trainers tend to be quite strict and straightforward anyways.

[yaya]

@kazzajay414

Nineteen isn’t a young age to be as accomplished as I am! I’ve seen lots of fantastic riders who are competing more consistently at top level that are 13-16. There is some incredible young talent these days, especially in pony jumpers.

That being said, thank you to all who have recommended this trainer. It’s fantastic that she even clinics with de Kunffy, that’s near perfect. Landrum just happens to be within an hour and a half of where I live, which is a perfectly reasonable distance to travel for a good trainer.

I was more reacting to all the damage you have had by nineteen.

[mvp]

OP, where do you keep your nice horse near Asheville? Just wondering because I thought folks had a hard time finding really high-end boarding there. Perhaps I’m wrong? Love the area, but I was put off by the lack of good boarding. I’d love to be wrong and ignorant in this case, lol.

[Brown_Derby]

@yaya

I was more reacting to all the damage you have had by nineteen.

OP, did you ride with Bar.ka?

[piedmontfields]

@mvp

OP, where do you keep your nice horse near Asheville? Just wondering because I thought folks had a hard time finding really high-end boarding there. Perhaps I’m wrong? Love the area, but I was put off by the lack of good boarding. I’d love to be wrong and ignorant in this case, lol.

I’d love to know, too! It is an issue in the area for sure (although there are more quality boarding barns opening towards Tryon/Landrum).

[mydogs]

@kazzajay414

Not sure, I’ve always flourished under a drill sergeant type of leadership. I think it’s because I tend to goof off of I get bored, one of my weaknesses I need to overcome, and someone who isn’t afraid to scold me and make sure I’m on task is the kind of person I really like to ride under. I’ve found classically trained dressage trainers tend to be quite strict and straightforward anyways.

I can’t imagine JJ being the person who will make you cry. If anything, it will be the opposite. She comes up to my area for clinics and one of the reasons so many people love taking lessons with her is because she is extremely inspirational, funny, but makes you work hard too. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone in the clinics cry with JJ. Everyone always come out of their lesson wanting to ride better and bringing it up a notch.

[Cyrano]

Kassajay414,
It sounds like you are a perfect fit to try Jennifer Roth, ‘S’ dressage judge/ FEI trainer, Across the Diagonal Farm, and she also trains at Pennwood Farm in Columbus, NC.
She was a student of CDK for almost a decade growing up in California .She Has trained in Europe, and with many of the Classical masters in the world including the last 18 years with Andreas Hausberger chief rider of the Spanish riding school.
She has had serious back injuries throughout her life and a hip replacement in her forties ,she knows about having compromised body issues. Despite the physical adversities she persevered and
Jennifer was the first person who brought in Susanne Von dietz,famous biomechanics ,many years ago to the United States,
Jen is extremely motivated and experienced in bringing along horses and riders through the levels ,for the last several decades up to GP. She is a no nonsense,serious trainer,
with reasonable prices to encourage consistent training . Try Facebook or Google her .

[piedmontfields]

Jennifer Roth is a great suggestion! I knew she had moved to NC but had forgotten how close she was. She is another trainer who seems very committed to life-long education for herself and her students.