Dressage Trainer? - Puget Sound Area

[PacificPacer]

My friend is looking for a dressage trainer in the puget sound area to help her with her strong-willed TB mare. The mare is a great jumper, but sometimes has trouble with dressage and tends to pull her rider around a course/dressage test without respecting the riders' aids. Her mare can also be a handful on the ground, especially at shows. Any suggestions for a dressage trainer that might fit the bill would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

[hoopoe]

That is a pretty broad area to cover

If you could narrow it down to a more specific area I would be happy to make suggestions

I would not recommend a trainer in Olympia to someone living in Bellingham

[PacificPacer]

That is a pretty broad area to cover

If you could narrow it down to a more specific area I would be happy to make suggestions

I would not recommend a trainer in Olympia to someone living in Bellingham

She lives in Woodinville, but is looking for a short-term type arrangement (like one month) so distance from Woodinville isn't the most important factor (finding the right trainer is). Thanks!

[AdAblurr02]

One month is a very short time in which to accomplish any real change....

you have a PM.

[JGHIRETIRE]

I recommend NSAE - just north of Woodinville. I have a 16 y.o. tb mare that basically had not had alot done with her. She has not quite been ridden yet but they've performed a miracle with her.
They could show you a lot in a month.

[Hoofprince in Mud]

I recommend NSAE - just north of Woodinville. I have a 16 y.o. tb mare that basically had not had alot done with her. She has not quite been ridden yet but they've performed a miracle with her.
They could show you a lot in a month.

NSAE is HeWhoShallNotBeNamed's establishment.

I'm hoping JG is kidding.

[stryder]

I recommend NSAE - just north of Woodinville. I have a 16 y.o. tb mare that basically had not had alot done with her. She has not quite been ridden yet but they've performed a miracle with her.
They could show you a lot in a month.

I agree. My mare was trained there. She's delightful.

I've been watching the progress of your mare, JG. She's so relaxed now, and eager to learn.

OP, feel free to PM me for specifics.

[Tiligsmom]

another option

www.featurefarm.com

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My friend is looking for a dressage trainer in the puget sound area to help her with her strong-willed TB mare. The mare is a great jumper, but sometimes has trouble with dressage and tends to pull her rider around a course/dressage test without respecting the riders' aids. Her mare can also be a handful on the ground, especially at shows. Any suggestions for a dressage trainer that might fit the bill would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

For someone who is not into gimmicks, blather, oddball hardware, or rubber chickens, but who does have the ability to turn around a problem horse -

http://www.straightforwardhorses.com/

A friend's really full-of-issues pony came through and is a different horse completely now - being happily ridden on the buckle by his ammy owner. We have also had a few of ours with Patrick to be started, and sold one very nice young mare through his stable - Patrick is young, strong, tough, kind ,and quite good at what he does. I believe he is now located near Mt Vernon, but could be out of date on that.

[JGHIRETIRE]

Stryder: Beth is going to ride her tomorrow!! I'm such a proud MOM LOL

No gimmicks - just patience.

She's doing great for a 16 y.o.!!!

[Ibex]

There are a number of fantastic trainers in the lower mainly of BC as well, if you're willing to send your horse over the border.

[stryder]

Wow, great for her! You have every right to be a proud mom.

I'll be up for my lesson tomorrow. Can't wait to hear more about her progress. And have you seen Beth on Chinook? He's doing great, too.

I saw the end of her ride on Dreamgirl a couple weeks ago. She's become such a flashy mare. Smooth, too.

[JGHIRETIRE]

Yes I did see her ride Chinook - he's looking quite nice - I didn't get to see her ride Dream but she's looking alot better too.
She was going to ride Lochinvar over the weekend - she said it would be nice to ride a "broke" horse for a change.

I'll be out there tomorrow too - probably see you then!!

[Elfe]

To the OP:
Please, please, check these recommendations very, very carefully before sending your horse off. I have direct knowledge of one of the people mentioned above and feel I should raise a red flag about this person.
Good luck !

[Kuschel]

Wow - interesting thread. I would recommend checking out the region6.org website, and having your friend ask a lot more questions regarding dressage trainers in the PNW!

There are several good trainers - but you somewhat have to get inside the "circle", to really know what is going on. Would highly recommend checking out trainers prior to commiting to training.

[easyklc]

http://www.starrvalleyfarm.com/index.html

Beth Anderson-Ness is a very accomplished rider and trainer. I watched her at a clinic work with a variety of horses and her methods are what I like to see: quiet, encouraging, correct and with the horse's interest always first. Several of my friends who ride with her regularly have nothing but great things to say and she is well respected in the "circles."

That said, there are MANY dressage trainers and barns in the PNW that can help your friend. I agree with those who say to please check references, visit the farms, and use the Region 6 website as a resource. Good training is nothing to mess around with! Also, a horse with bad ground manners needs some serious work BEFORE asking for anything productive under saddle. This mare might need some back to basics for a while.

[Thoroughbred1201]

I second the caution to take care. OP, I've PM'd you regarding a name referred here.

Another option is a bit fartherer away, but is very good. Janne Sleeper and Fortunate Orchard Farm. She is very good with unique breeds, and is very patient and realistic.