Who's the best Classical dressage trainer in Nothern VA

[SaddleFitterVA]

There are a number of good trainers in NoVA. You just need to find one that YOU like and fits you and your horse. And, you should probably look past the “classical” label. “Classical” is tossed about by an awful lot of trainers who aren’t all that great, but hide behind “classical”.

I started riding with DressageDiosa a little over a year ago, didn’t realize she was here online until I’d been riding with her for several months. A neighbor was using my ring to take lessons, I watched her teach, liked what I saw and started taking lessons with her. I mostly go down to her farm these days as I don’t have enough people to consistently schedule her here. My horses are happy, and my scores have come up 8-10 percentage points since I started riding with her.

I still have another 8-10 percentage points to go, but hey, not too shabby. And, I get to play on my horse in her pond after lessons if it is seriously hot.

I started riding with her for convenience (at my farm), but continued because I have fun and we are making progress. There are probably a few others around I would also enjoy and make progress with too.

There are several good people in the area.

[blackhorsegirl]

There are lots of good instructors in Northern Virginia. There are some that aren’t so good. See whose students are winning at shows and year end awards. Watch them teach a lesson or lessons. Take one lesson and see if you think there’s a match. Find out if the instructor with whom you are interested is, in fact, a student, her/his self. Are they training with top clinicians? Are they, in some way, furthering their education?

Avoid the drama queens (or kings) or those over-inflated with their own ego. Those fueled with too much drama and ego can have you spending your time walking on egg shells. While taking a lunch break at a clinic I was riding in, there was discussion on how to change trainers. Some found this to be an unpleasant experience laced with hurt feelings, angry words, and explosions. The clinician–a national judge–brought us back to earth. She said this was a business and we were the consumer. We have the right to take our business where we are most happy. Her final thought was: “Do not let drama rob you of your passion.”

There you have it. Go where you are happy with the results.

[Commander_Cody]

[QUOTE=YankeeLawyer;4311782]
Hmm. Well, I think there are a number of good trainers in NOVA, so I am not sure what your statement is based on. People are perhaps willing to pay your travel fee because they like training with you. In addition, many of the better trainers in NOVA will NOT travel, which is a source of frustration for those who own their own facilities. Hence, the few who will travel are greatly appreciated and probably very much in demand.[/QUOTE]

At least for me, traveling is difficult because my obligation is to my “in house” clients and their horses first and foremost and that makes for a pretty busy day. I’m not sure why that should frustrate you - it is just the way that for me is best to run my business as I like to be involved with all aspects of a horse’s training and care. And of course with that comes constant work of having a farm to maintain and pay for. While it would be too much time to travel frequently for single lessons, I (and I would bet others) would certainly be happy to travel for a group of riders, and of course haul in lessons are another option.

I personally think it is great that we have access to a variety of different options - from good trainers who travel for most of their business to those of us who work out of our own farms and do more intensive training. And on top of that we have access to good clinicians (and BTW I haul to my lessons too).

[SaddleFitterVA]

I agree with Commander Cody on why many trainers do not travel. I have my own farm as well, but am not a trainer, but it comes with all the work. I consider it a treat to get a lesson on my own farm. The earnings for a trainer to come for one or even 2 lessons when they do the driving, it doesn’t make sense.

Also, Commander Cody’s students seem to do pretty well in our shows. As does she!

[trooper345]

I would recommend watching any trainer teach before you go to ride with them but would like to add Terry Smith at Riverside Equestrian in Bluemont, VA. She has an exceptional eye and is a very good instructor, talented and kind and EXTREMLY patient

www.riversideequestrian.org

[YankeeLawyer]

[QUOTE=Commander Cody;4312864]
At least for me, traveling is difficult because my obligation is to my “in house” clients and their horses first and foremost and that makes for a pretty busy day. I’m not sure why that should frustrate you - it is just the way that for me is best to run my business as I like to be involved with all aspects of a horse’s training and care. And of course with that comes constant work of having a farm to maintain and pay for. While it would be too much time to travel frequently for single lessons, I (and I would bet others) would certainly be happy to travel for a group of riders, and of course haul in lessons are another option.

I personally think it is great that we have access to a variety of different options - from good trainers who travel for most of their business to those of us who work out of our own farms and do more intensive training. And on top of that we have access to good clinicians (and BTW I haul to my lessons too).[/QUOTE]

Honestly, do you want to know why it frustrates me? It frustrates me because I spent a fortune putting in an arena with all weather footing on my property and I have a professional quality facility that I pay for. It frustrates me when that ring goes unused and I have to travel to use an inferior ring elsewhere. I also have, at any given time, multiple horses in training and it is virtually impossible for me to haul them elsewhere for a lesson. It frustrates me to have to take my youngsters somewhere and expose then to who-knows-what germs and illnesses at a busy barn with show horses and imports and whatnot in and out all the time. And it REALLY annoys me to have to go to all the trouble of packing up everything and shipping my horses somewhere when it IS much easier for the trainer to hop in a car and drive what typically amounts to less than 8 miles to my farm. And by the way, I DO pay for their travel time as I understand that it is a business. If I were a trophy wife, perhaps I would have all day to travel about the countryside for a lesson.

But not to worry; I have an excellent trainer who is willing to travel. This young lady probably will ride for the US team in the not too distant future, and she is going to do it on horses given to her to ride because she does go the extra mile for her clients, is always gracious and kind, and is not a diva. I completely understand if other trainers have different priorities; it is their business and they can run it how they wish. But just as I can understand why a particular trainer may not wish to travel to a client, please at the very least extend clients the courtesy of understanding why they might be frustrated when trainers won’t travel.

[Commander_Cody]

But not to worry; I have an excellent trainer who is willing to travel. This young lady probably will ride for the US team in the not too distant future, and she is going to do it on horses given to her to ride because she does go the extra mile for her clients, is always gracious and kind, and is not a diva. I completely understand if other trainers have different priorities; it is their business and they can run it how they wish. But just as I can understand why a particular trainer may not wish to travel to a client, please at the very least extend clients the courtesy of understanding why they might be frustrated when trainers won’t travel.[/QUOTE]

But exactly my point! No need to be frustrated because you DO have someone good that you are happy with and who comes to you and those of us who have a different business model don’t do it to offend you or anyone else. Believe me, I did my share of traveling from barn to barn when I was starting out. I just prefer a different way of working with horses now, where I live with them and know everything about them, from what they eat to their daily habits, just as you do with your horses at your farm. And what I can offer my clients is a consistent program for their riding and their horse, as well as someone to take care the horse and continue training when work and family obligations get in the way.

Just because someone doesn’t spend the day on the road does not mean they are a “diva” or that they don’t go the extra mile for their clients. I think my students would tell you otherwise. It’s why we are so lucky here in NoVa and MD with so many options to choose from. And plenty of us who do haul-in lessons have good footing and quiet, safe facilities for guests.

But all this has gotten kind of off point, no?

[ridealot]

I agree being yelled at is no fun. Did you learn well in school when you were yelled out or embarrassed? Most of us did not so why is it any different with riding?
Aude Bauserman is wonderful!!! She has a background in education and she knows how to explain and articulate what she wants to see. Just because they are a good rider does not mean they can teach!!! I have worked with some of the names above but not all can actually “teach” more importantly not everyone learns the same way. She travels to NOVA and surrounding areas.

[LookmaNohands]

Stephanie Millham spent 10 years training with Nuno Olivera in Portugal. She also wrote a book about it. I work with her regularly. She travels to TX, CO and MD teaching clinics but also teaches near her home in Rixyville, VA. She has not been limited by her disability.

http://avilionclassicaldressage.com/index.htm

http://eclectic-horseman.com/mercantile/product_info.php/products_id/832

[Fairview_Horse_Cente]

You may want to check out Donna http://www.donnagatchelldressage.com/

[netg]

So how did this thread from 2009 get pulled up anyway?