who is this?
Iāve been thinking about these things also. I betcha every single one of us whoās been around horses for any real length of time has had our ābehind the barnā moments. Doesnāt make it ārightā, but like you also said:
11 Likes
I donāt know if he qualifies as a big name in this context but yes, Claudio is wonderful. In Wellington and elsewhere heās def a big name P&P specialist anyway.
My young PRE has worked with him in three separate weekend clinics spaced over the past 18 months.
His enthusiasm is infectious and the horses love him.
(I thought I included a video above, but I apparently donāt know how)
7 Likes
Honestly, in my lifetime of pursuing education related to horses, on my journey it has most frequently been the lesser known trainers who have really made an impact on my journey.
So perhaps the alternatives to the BNT-
The lifetime horseperson who was good enough to survive the industry despite not having a huge name and sponsors. The one that showed upper levels many years ago but is now a better teacher than rider, who has mastered the art of communication and taught countless students to ride. Unlike many BNT who are stretched thin, this teacher often devotes a lot of time/attention towards their student.
Or, the lesser known, ambitious, young professional who is eager and willing to build a good business and make a good name for themselves who has pursued a riding education from the BNTs and is now eager to share that with others.
Or perhaps the culmination of an education. Instead of relying solely on the talent and abilities of one BNT who may ultimately fail you, pursue the knowledge of many trainers, even those in various disciplines. I have done this at times due to a lack of resources and have been pleasantly surprised with the expansive knowledge gained as a horseperson in general. In turn, this transformed/elevated my own particular discipline and approach.
26 Likes
Just an eventer who has ridden with a few of our BNTās in Canada. I feel like the ego tends to take over and I would say, there isnāt one BNT that I would say hasnāt done something to be a little questioned. I donāt condone it, but I also donāt ride with them. Iāve experienced things with them, embarrassed I allowed it to happen. I know better as an adult now, and would never, but I canāt believe any BNT is truly genuine.
9 Likes
I call them my B list trainers, and Iāve received the most from them. Iāll get a true hour lesson for $80, instead of a 15 minute lesson from an olympian for $100.
I have grown so much since moving to more āb listā trainers because they are invested and take the time. BNTās want to be at the top, and they have to be selfish, but to what cost?
20 Likes
You can say the same for horses. If you are aiming for the top, you have to move horses out of your program that you donāt click with and can make progress with rapidly. Amateurs and smaller time trainers tend to not have as much freedom or incentive or both to do that. It forces you to confront your mistakes and holes in your own education. Every horse I have ever ridden has offered a unique lesson.
7 Likes
Gross.
Stretchies are the ruin of the training scale.
3 Likes
Ok finally I can really recommend a BNT (not sure whether you can call her this). Anja Beranā¦
I watched and rode with her in a clinic and I was truly impressed about her style of teaching and her perfect timing!!!
4 Likes
Every time I have watched her ride, her hands are so busy - not just her hands but her entire arm. I get it about having a conversation with the horseās mouth but Haddad looks like she is playing a harp - back and forth, back and forth, not particularly abusive but her hands are never quiet and subtle. I canāt help but wonder if her horse is thinking, āWill this woman ever SHUT UP?ā
7 Likes
Ingrid Klimke? She seems to have a good system and reputation.
Morten Thomsen has a great system for ground and under saddle work, have clinched with him
15 Likes
One of the board favorites - Barisone - would NOT be on this list. Iāve seen him do a handful of questionable things in clinic auditing. Wouldnāt surprise me if worse behind closed doors.
10 Likes
I havenāt read all of this thread yetā¦I am shocked by the people who KNOWINGLY pay and stay. Stuns me, actually.
3 Likes
I have not personally witnessed abuse or bad behavior from Steffen, but I have known several horses who came from his program with behaviors and soundness issues that make me wonder what goes on behind closed doors. The kinds of behaviors that come from having a very deeply-rooted fear of violence or heavy-handedness, and the kinds of injuries that donāt happen in a paddock, stall, or in the course of normal training.
10 Likes
Well thatās disturbing 
Iām fairly firmly in the camp of weird behaviours cannot always be blamed on training, but weird injuries 
Yuck.
7 Likes
It was really disappointing to find out. And it was four horses over a period of about 8 years, purchased at different times and by clients with different trainers. I havenāt been in touch with the last folks I knew whoād purchased one since about 2019, so itās been a few years, things may have changed.
I definitely tend to err on the side of weird stuff possibly being behavioral, but when itās similar (seemingly normal things that might cause a typical horse to spook, but not lose their s&^%) triggers resulting in blind panic or aggression across multiple horses, wellā¦idk. It was upsetting and disillusioning.
5 Likes
Sadly, I know of several examples of this very thing. Itās very different to take lessons with someone, or even be in their barn or program vs. actually working alongside them.
3 Likes
Yep honestly people are just not perfect. Humans are flawed and often blind to their own imperfections and hypocrisy.
2 Likes
I have this same experience but with an N=1. I know nothing of his methods but I had to fix a horse that had been with him for a little over a year and it was not pretty.
4 Likes
