I am a big fan of his former student and business partner, Andrea Velas. She is featured in his book “Nature, Nurture and Horses” which follows the training of four horses they bred and trained together. She has clinics in Gainesville, VA every three months. She adheres to the same classical principles and is very personable, easy to understand and there is always clear progress when she works with a horse and rider. http://www.andreavelas.com/clinics/
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My experience with him was quite negative–it was many years ago, when he was still at Moonlight Park and married to Jeanne. I had read his books and was happy to get to work with him based on his writing. However, he was egotistical, didn’t help me at all (and I was quite experienced as a rider at that time), and he constantly played to the audience, turning to them all the time to ask them “wasn’t I right about this or that”…and yes he has these stupid weight requirements which I now would not fit. Back then I probably did. There is some kind of a chart he has and you have to fit into it. I’m not obese or overweight, I think his “rules” are unnecessarily rigid.
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Yikes!
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He has a not to exceed weight requirement if you want to ride one of his schoolmaster horses. I think that’s his prerogative.
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Verrry interesting stuff…Hmm.
I will update this thread after the clinic, now I’m legitimately curious about him - wondering “which PB will show up”?
As for the weight requirement, sounds like he’s in GM territory (though when it comes to others riding his horses I can understand it; I have a small homebred mare with a long back - she was born with it - and though I’ve done 90% of the training myself, I had someone 30 years my junior start her under saddle. When looking around for trainers to first sit on her, I had a “rough weight/size requirement” because I wanted to protect her back. I am small myself, and bred for a small horse so she’s perfect for me, and in the future if anyone else were to sit on her it would NOT be a large man, for example. My prerogative.)
OTOH, I think he’s overstepping his bounds if he is shaming students based on their weight 
NOT appropriate trainer behavior, and especially in a public clinic forum!
rebecca - what exactly did he say to the riders?
How big a guy is HE?
I should probably look up some youtube videos - does anyone have a link?
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just google his name, I think he has his own Youtube channel
@Dr. Doolittle PB and his new wife Rose (the author of that book @Roni4444 mentioned) are trying to attract new clients, so he’ll be super personable and engaged. I think you’ll enjoy the clinic if you’re interested in the nuances of position and a clear classical progression.
I agree -
another false god in the pseudo-klassikal world lol
save your money for better clinicians who walk the talk
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Just watched some youtube videos, hmm.
He is quite a tall guy!, and though lean, doubtful that he weighs less than what - 180?? So it’s just “heavier ladies” that he objects to? 
Sheesh.
Nothing too earthshattering or revelatory in the vids, though the one lesson had a horse being ridden with quite a short neck, IMO. He wanted the rider to “hold.” I wonder whether he emphasizes the upper level balance, “haute ecole” with all horses?, or whether it’s just the ones I saw.
He did a lecture with a board over some sawhorses, talked about Nicole Uphoff doing the dreaded Rolkur with Rembrandt and how she “won everything” even though she see-sawed the horse’s head down while riding “deep” (obviously this would be a topic for another thread!, LOL!), so I’m guessing he is more of the school of “riding the horse UP.”
We’ll see.
I have a 5 year old WB mare (by a jumper bred stallion who has produced a lot of hunters) who has a loooong back and a long neck; she goes in a more horizontal balance naturally because of her conformation, and is not uphill - though her neck set is quite good. She’s been in real work for about 14 months, and I’m taking my time to strengthen her core and hind end with hillwork, transitions, cavaletti, lateral and straightening work, some shortening and lengthening within the gaits, counter canter, etc. Gradually getting her stronger, without shortening her (naturally long) neck UNTIL she is able to sit and carry a bit more. I’m in no hurry, since she needs to be ridden with more correct stretch and brought “up” gradually so that her back can continue to swing and so she can engage. I’m doing lower level eventing with her, so we will never be working on UL dressage, no need! I just want to continue to improve on the basics, as do we all 
I’m glad I’m not riding in this clinic, ha! OTOH, I find I get a little something out of every clinic I audit; even if it’s one concept or exercise - so since I have the day free (and $25 is not a big deal), I will go with an open mind and watch him at work.
(This clinic will also be held at my old barn, my former BM is a friend and is completely delightful - I no longer see much of her and I really miss her, so bonus that I’ll get a chance to catch up a bit!)
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For what it’s worth, several people in our area love him, and are willing to drive several hours to clinic with him (and we’re in SoCal, so it’s not like we don’t have training options!).
(I’ve never worked with him personally.)
worth nothing, sorry
There are people who will spend 4 K to audit a clinic in Florida from Linda Parelli on the secret of contact …
seriously!
a former boarder did that aand she was not the only fool there\ HAHA
seriously -
Popularity is not proof of quality
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Sorry, I guess I should have clarified - my comment was not about the general discussion this thread has devolved into about Belasik. It specifically addresses the OP, and what I thought the OP was requesting - others’ thoughts on riding or working with him. While I have none of my own, I thought it might be helpful to pass on to him/her the thoughts of others that I know (and their thoughts are positive). That’s all 
I understand- no offence to you intended-
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I know this thread is past but i just am finishing a short course at his farm. It is a must in ny dressage education. I learned so much both on the horse and on the ground. Extremelly well run farm. The riding is truly making sense. If you are of German school you may not like it but the results are really nice. I got a lot to bring back home and i am just beginner to intermediate. I wish i could ride there weekly. But i live in Florida.
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This reminds me of Michael Poulin. Endless talking about himself while trying to play to an audience. I am not a fan of this approach.
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Yes that’s what I’ve heard about him too
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I have a friend who has ridden with him and with Andrea. She is very careful about who she lets ride her horses and who she trains with so when she spoke well of PB, that meant quite a lot to me.
I have a couple of his books and if I recall, the explanations and principles were very sound and correct. When I was shopping for my first Iberian horse, I went to his website sale page to see videos/prices/info. I was interested in younger horses which were shown lungeing far behind the vertical. I purchased my youngster elsewhere.
I found him to be highly disappointing.
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Anne C, I would love to hear more about your experience at the short course. I’ve signed up for one in June, and I’m really looking forward to it!
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