Looking for Information on NC Dressage Trainers

[Strictly Classical]

I am looking for information on NC dressage trainers. I am specifically narrowing the search to the Charlotte and Greensboro areas of NC.

What can you tell me about any of the following:

Cynthia Payne
Stacey Hastings
C. Michelle Folden
Tammi Batts

...are there any others out there that I have not named who are worthy of consideration. I am looking for a person who is not breed prejudice, who is willing to work with a Training/First level rider; who focuses on correct rider equitation, and who is first and foremost an advocate for the horse.

Thanks so much for your help. Pleae feel free to PM me.

[Castlegate]

I have taken a few lessons with Stacey and she is just wonderful....she teaches all levels and she is just great!

I have ridden in a clinic with Tami Batts and she was also very good...and that was with a Training Level horse. I know people who ride with Tami now and have nothing but the highest praise for her.

Cant help on the other two...have never ridden with them...

[Strictly Classical]

Thank you so much Castlegate!

[drsg4me]

Also- another positive review for Stacy. She is very good, and I can assure you she is not breed pred. as she has shown an arab through FEI. Have not ridden with Tami but have heard nothing but good things about her. The other 2 I don't have a whole lot of recommendations either way. Their is also Dianne Ritz in the south Charlotte area (Monroe to be exact) who is excellent if you can travel to that area. Hope that helps!

[hsheffield]

Like all of them except Cynthia Payne (don't know her)

I especially like Stacey. Very knowledgeable, good teacher and nice to boot.

Stacey, Tami, Michelle and Dianne Ritz are all straightforward honest folks: you really can't go wrong IMO. Probably best to go watch some lessons and see which one best fits your 'style.'

[Daydream Believer]

Carol Bishop (R) is out of the Charlotte area. She is who I work with as she comes to our area monthly for clinics. I could not recommend someone more highly. She is absolutely not prejudiced against any breed and she has a wonderful way of explaining things and her eye is incredible to drill to the root of an issue. She also has an impressive resume. She rode in Spain and Portugal and later worked for Dr. Klimke in Germany as a young horse trainer. It is hard to find a trainer more classical than Carol these days.

PM me if you want her contact information. I wish I lived closer to her.

[FlashGordon]

I am looking for a person who is not breed prejudice, who is willing to work with a Training/First level rider; who focuses on correct rider equitation, and who is first and foremost an advocate for the horse.

Gayle Dauverd is in Hurdle Mills about an hour from Greensboro. I can't say enough about her, and she'd more than fit the bill for what you are looking for.

PM me and I'll pass along her contact info.

[BaroquePony]

Leslie Stevenson is in the Charlotte area. I have not ridden under her, but from some of her posts on the board I think she has an excellent backgound in classical dressage as well as jumping. She seems very knowledgeable and able to pick up on what is fundamentally causing a lack of relaxation in either horse or rider. From what I can tell she wants relaxation and calmness before anything else, which I equate with high quality horse care and confidence building in riders.

[Foxhound]

Another vote for Tami Batts or Stacey Hastings (I don't know the other 2, so I can't comment). Both Tami and Stacey seem very nice, I have seen them at shows for years now. Their students do well, and their horses look healthy and happy.

Plus, Tami's crew hands out ice cream at Dressage At Lexington, so she has to be a nice person!

[EqTrainer]

Gayle Dauverd is in Hurdle Mills about an hour from Greensboro. I can't say enough about her, and she'd more than fit the bill for what you are looking for.

PM me and I'll pass along her contact info.

Thanks Flash! But my book is full.. no room for new students right now.

[finneventer]

Strictly Classical, you have a pm :)

[glfprncs]

Carol Bishop (R) is out of the Charlotte area. She is who I work with as she comes to our area monthly for clinics. I could not recommend someone more highly. She is absolutely not prejudiced against any breed and she has a wonderful way of explaining things and her eye is incredible to drill to the root of an issue. She also has an impressive resume. She rode in Spain and Portugal and later worked for Dr. Klimke in Germany as a young horse trainer. It is hard to find a trainer more classical than Carol these days.

PM me if you want her contact information. I wish I lived closer to her.


I'll 2nd Carole as well. I've only taken limited lessons with her, but spent a summer watching her teach every other Thursday from morning to late afternoon. Her students ran the gamut from upper level eventers on flighty TBs, to amateurs on young and brilliant warmbloods, with beginners to dressage on steady draft crosses thrown in for good measure. She tailored every single lesson to every single combination, and never gave a 'lesson du jour.' In addition, I've seen tremendous changes (positive) in horse/rider combinations in a mere 30 minute session with Carole.

[Carol Ames]

Robin Bruckmann; in in addition to being a judge; she is a Centered Riding instructor!:yes::lol:
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[dressagediosa]

Michelle is a riot, and a lovely rider. I know Jen Baumert also recently moved to NC, but I'm not exactly sure where. Both are great people and great trainers of horses, but more importantly, both have students who absolutely adore them.

Aren't the Sydnors in NC as well?

[Puddin Pie]

Jen Baumert is in Columbus, NC. I just got back from 2 days of lessons with her (kind of like camp for me, the child stayed home!!!). She was great. PM me for more info if you want it. She has also been giving clinics in Huntersville, so that might be an option for you. Check out www.lightenupdressage.com for more info on those. Diane Ritz is also great-she is in Monroe. Claudia Novick is in Mt. Holly-also good to work with. She has ridden with Stacey a lot. Cynthia Payne is in Huntersville-very nice. Good luck.