PDA

View Full Version : Feedback needed: Dany Bert - Dressage Trainer in Norcal (picture)

Twentymetercircle
Jan. 7, 2009, 01:05 PM
Hello Everyone,

I have tried to find information in this trainer, but he doesn't have a website and I can't find a show record of him either. He currently has one student at a facility near me and is apparently trying to set up shop. I haven't seen him teach, only ride another horse. His location is convenient, but I have some reservations about him. I was hoping some other COTHers might be familiar with him.

The one student he does have does not have show aspirations.

This picture is from his advertisement:

http://pagemillpastures.com/images4services/Ole%20Friesian%2009-08.jpg


And here is a description of his services:

Description: Classical Dressage Horse Trainer and Riding Instructor. From training level to the 3 P's (Piaffe - Passage - Pirouette)
Training/Experience: 50 young horses put under the saddle, 5 horses brought to the 3 P's and numerous happy students in 24 years of experience (13 yrs in France, 11 yrs in California). Former student of Emmanuel Dardenne of the Academie d' Art Equestrre de Provence in France and Douglas J. Puterbaugh in California.

I appreciate any feedback. Thank you!
SisterToSoreFoot
Jan. 7, 2009, 01:13 PM
Here he is riding:

http://pagemillpastures.com/images4services/Ole%20Friesian%2009-08.jpg


It's probably not fair to judge a rider on one picture (and believe me, there's alot of pics of ME riding that would not represent my abilities!) but in this pic said trainer is leaning back (and looks a bit cocky), and the horse looks heavy on the forhand and behind the bit. Who knows, maybe the next stride was great.

P.S. He took horses to the "3 P's" but did he show these horses and have the "P's" evaluated by judges for correctness? Or is he just making horses prance in place for show? I'd check his record using the USDF website to see if he has shown, to what level, and with what scores. *Sorry O.P.--I see that you already searched and found nothing. This is problematic because it does make him hard to assess. He might be great and into exhibition dressage more than competitive, but he may not be a good trainer for someone who wants to show for that reason.*
EqTrainer
Jan. 7, 2009, 01:18 PM
No, it really isn't fair to judge a rider based on one picture. God knows I have pictures of myself riding that make me cringe.. and some that would make other people cringe, but since I knew what was going on, they make me happy...

I would ask the student that you are aware of. And I would take out the comment about his hands, unless you are really looking to start a train wreck ;)
Twentymetercircle
Jan. 7, 2009, 01:20 PM
No, it really isn't fair to judge a rider based on one picture. God knows I have pictures of myself riding that make me cringe..

Thanks, I only used that picture because that is the one he uses in his advertisement, so I can only assume he is pleased with it!
Commander Cody
Jan. 7, 2009, 01:50 PM
That's fine - we all have pictures we'd rather burn than have anyone see, but what says a lot to me is a picture you CHOOSE to use for advertising purposes. It should be a reasonably good one, no? (and I personally don't think the one posted is).
keana
Jan. 7, 2009, 02:16 PM
The three P's :lol:

I wonder if you need "Guns" like his to ride a horse he has trained?
mickeydoodle
Jan. 7, 2009, 02:39 PM
He is certainly attractive, looks kind of like a young Clint Eastwood. Does he have a French accent? that would just make the picture irresistable and I bet he gets female clients in droves.
Twentymetercircle
Jan. 7, 2009, 02:44 PM
He is certainly attractive, looks kind of like a young Clint Eastwood. Does he have a French accent? that would just make the picture irresistable and I bet he gets female clients in droves.

Haha, he does indeed have a French accent. Oddly enough, he doesn't really have that many clients at this particular facilty, which is why I thought I would ask around here. I also posted on BAEN, but got no responses.
selah
Jan. 7, 2009, 05:32 PM
He is certainly attractive, looks kind of like a young Clint Eastwood. Does he have a French accent? that would just make the picture irresistable and I bet he gets female clients in droves.

...and teaches them aaallll about "the 3 Ps"?;)
mickeydoodle
Jan. 7, 2009, 05:47 PM
If you cannot find any results in USDF/USEF then I would ask him for references- who are the GP horses he has produced? Who has them now? Their show results with new owners? Who are the young horses he has started, look up those show results with new owners. There must be some record of his claims- if they are true. Ask the new owner of one of his started horses about their training. If he has been in CA for 11 years and has "numerous" happy students, you should be able to talk to some of them.
SGray
Jan. 7, 2009, 05:50 PM
have you found any records on Emmanuel Dardenne or Douglas J. Puterbaugh? (personally I've never heard of any of them but I'm not in California or France....)
Brookes
Jan. 7, 2009, 06:13 PM
twentymeter you have a pm
caevent
Jan. 7, 2009, 09:07 PM
have you found any records on Emmanuel Dardenne or Douglas J. Puterbaugh? (personally I've never heard of any of them but I'm not in California or France....)

Doug Puterbaugh is a well-known Bay Area instructor. Not a fan personally. He does have a website, however, for those who want to research. :)
dutchfan
Jan. 7, 2009, 09:32 PM
Doug Puterbaugh is a well-known Bay Area instructor. Not a fan personally. He does have a website, however, for those who want to research. :)

You are being very nice to put it this way.

Seriously- the bay area is not short on GOOD (and not good) trainers. I would try to find one with a solid, verifiable track record (or show record if that is what you want) that meets your needs. Not one of these people with odd pasts and claims that don't see real.
mickeydoodle
Jan. 8, 2009, 12:52 PM
Isn't Sue Blinks somewhere in that area? excellent instructor
honeylips
Jan. 8, 2009, 03:46 PM
Sue is at the other end of the state - down in Rancho Santa Fe. Plus she really only has FEI pro rider students. My trainer rides my High Performance GP horse with Sue as often as we can make the 12 hour haul down to SOCAL and we only got that spot due to my trainer having been a working student for Sue years ago and they know each other really well. But she is worth it.
mickeydoodle
Jan. 8, 2009, 05:20 PM
Sorry, I got the geography wrong, cannot remember one end of that long state from the other.
MyCatRules
Jan. 8, 2009, 10:01 PM
You are being very nice to put it this way.

Seriously- the bay area is not short on GOOD (and not good) trainers. I would try to find one with a solid, verifiable track record (or show record if that is what you want) that meets your needs. Not one of these people with odd pasts and claims that don't see real.

:lol::lol::lol::lol:Gotta agree with this comment. Plus, look at the guy - is that how you want to look when you ride? Granted, we all have bad pictures to be found - but if he is a trainer, he should be able to pick out a decent picture!
FleetwoodStarr
Jan. 9, 2009, 12:09 AM
Doug Puterbaugh is a well-known Bay Area instructor. Not a fan personally. He does have a website, however, for those who want to research. :)


I'm with caevent, I would avoid Puterbaugh and anyone who is proud to say they were trained by him personally.
slc2
Jan. 9, 2009, 06:49 AM
Why? Is there something wrong with how he trains the horses?
Brookes
Jan. 9, 2009, 12:17 PM
Dear SLC, unfortunately due to forum rules I'm sure no one is stupid enough to discuss what could possibly be wrong with Puterbaugh's training methods. Besides it truly doesn't matter. I think the undercurrent in the thread says it all, don't you????? I know the OP has been contacted by PM, by me, to offer other options. She is the one who needs to know the details as she is actually here.

There is a wonderful variety of excellent coaches and trainers here in Nor Cal, including Gwen Stockbrande, Lilo Fore, etc. All with excellent backgrounds and credentials. I'm sure the OP can find a super trainer here that will give her what she needs for herself and her horse. Jane Weatherwax is now in the area also, ( I believe). Lots of wonderful folks here!
Perfect Pony
Jan. 9, 2009, 01:02 PM
There is no shortage of trainers in the Bay Area, very good and very bad.

Lots of hidden gems out there as well, there are a couple trainers at my barn that most people would not have heard of, but they are excellent. They would, however, show up in a Google search with many very respectable to excellent scores at various levels. Results will tell you a lot about their abilities, and students will tell you about their methods and training style.

We are also incredibly blessed to have many of the best in the business that clinic here regularly. It's part of the reason I switched to dressage, it's such an amazing area to live in for the sport.
Twentymetercircle
Jan. 9, 2009, 02:51 PM
I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to post comments/suggestions on this topic. Some of you have contacted via PM and I appreciate it.

I'm new to Dressage and want to get a good solid start. This particular trainer seemed appealing because of his location, but I know that is not a determining factor in finding a good trainer!

You all have good eyes and were able to help me see flaws in a picture that I didn't think looked great, I just couldn't tell why.

Thanks so much!
Brookes
Jan. 9, 2009, 03:05 PM
Don't worry Grasshopper, we will take care of you! Talk to you next week!!