Favorite Dressage Clinicians

[NewbieEventer]

I'm clueless when it comes to dressage riders/clinicians...who would you consider to be some of the most sought after/respected clinicians in dressage?

Background: I recently started supplementing my lessons with a few eventing clinics, and have had great experiences. I'm thinking that a few dressage clinics might really help my flatwork get better as well.

ETA: I'm not a fan of new "gimmicks" and unusual/essoteric methods of training horses. I prefer "classical" methods (though that definition seems to have broadened recently), and tend to have more trust in those that place well at the upper levels consistently, especially if on a horse they've produced. I guess I'm looking for a dressage-equivelent to eventing clinicians like Jimmy Wofford, Lucinda Greene, etc...

[Dressage Art]

Arthur Kottas

[merrygoround]

There are a lot of good lower level clinicians out there,depending on where you live, you'll find dozens or maybe just one or two.

While the BNT are great, for a person who wants to work on the concepts that make up the core of dressage, more frequent sessions with some of the Training to 2nd level certified instructors would probably be more useful. Not that the Tto 2 instructors can't teach or ride higher.

So give us an area, and you'll get some names.

[Riva]

I love love love riding w/ Jim Kofford. He is excellent! I've ridden w/ Jane Weatherwax as well, and she is likewise wonderful.

[baylady7]

I like riding with and auditing Per Skjærbæk

http://www.priess-stutteri.com/?DK/Profile.aspx

not sure how often he is in the US but he is fair and fun.

[Beasmom]

Andras Szieberth. Excellent knowledge of dressage AND jumping. Very fun to work with!

[lizathenag]

Charles de Kunffy

[horsechica58]

Michael Etherly
www.michaeletherly.com

[rugbygirl]

Mette Rosencrantz was very good, I am Intro/Training and got a ton out of our session, and she also did Level 2/3 and PSG clinics on the same day which were fascinating to watch.

[dressagevettech]

I second Jim Kofford.
And also really enjoy working with Tom Poulin.

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

Gigi Nutter

[sm]

Debbie McDonald. Her background was hunter/jumper and not with the priciest horses on the planet, you can tell she really understands her horses as a solid horseman. Extremely amazing.

[Tamsin]

About how much are you willing to pay to ride with your favorite clinician? Just curious about what is considered standard and reasonable for the clinicians listed.

[ESG]

Favorite clinicians - Pam Goodrich, Hans Biss, Max Gahwyler, Paul Rohrbach (although Paul doesn't do much outside Colorado).

I've paid $180 for a private lesson, and the way things are going, I imagine I'd pay more, if needed, to ride with these folks again.

[RogersChapelFarm]

Sue Blinks & Jane Savoie are my faves

[Elegante E]

I've recently gotten to work with Maryal Barnett and liked her tons. It's all about your seat with her and she's known for teaching sitting trot. She's a judge so is also good for those who like showing.

I also like Paul Belasik for those who are serious about their riding.

Have heard great things about Gigi Nutter but she doesn't come to my area.

[dalpal]

:yes:I love love love riding w/ Jim Kofford. He is excellent! I've ridden w/ Jane Weatherwax as well, and she is likewise wonderful.


I'm fortuante enough to board at the same barn as Jim and He is fabulous. :yes: We're working on lead changes on my mare right now. His last name actually just has one F in it though.

He has a gift for working with people and horses.....always finds the positive and helps you fix the problems. :yes:

[dressage.life]

Steffan Peters :D:D

[May the FORCE bwu]

I have ridden in bunch of clinics over the years - my two favorites were Lars Peterson - - the best clinic I ever ever rode in - he made me think about new concepts, gave us great exercises and was so encouraging..... he made me feel like I could do anything........and Edgar Hotz........glad I got to ride with him before he passed away - his knowlege was incredible.......

[TheHorseProblem]

I love love love riding w/ Jim Kofford. He is excellent! I've ridden w/ Jane Weatherwax as well, and she is likewise wonderful.

Well then, shouldn't it be Jane Keatherwax?:D

[KatherineC]

Jessica Ransehousen. She is outstanding at teaching you how to get extra points out of a test....how to turn a 6 into a 7, or a 7 into an 8.

[WB Mom]

Sarah Martin is awesome!! I went to Dressage Camp 2 years ago and fell in love with her. I am lucky that she will be at camp again along with her husband Clayton. I can't wait to meet him! We also have GiGi Nutter and I'm excited to meet her too! Camp starts this Wednesday through Sunday. They also will all be giving evening lectures after Happy Hour and dinner - can't wait. I'm hoping my excitement level will remain high and will help me forget the HEAT that is forecast. UGG!

[Chic Hunter]

Carole Grant .

[ESG]

I've recently gotten to work with Maryal Barnett and liked her tons. It's all about your seat with her and she's known for teaching sitting trot. She's a judge so is also good for those who like showing.

{small brag} I love Maryal, but have never ridden for her. I met her about five years ago, when scribing for our regional championships. Wonderful lady! I scribed for her for all of the first day, and was scheduled to work with another judge for the rest of the show, and Maryal paid me the supreme compliment of making the other judges switch so that I could scribe for her again. Same thing happened two years later. I learned so much from her. :yes:

Have heard great things about Gigi Nutter but she doesn't come to my area.

I think she comes here periodically. I'll have to look at the local schedules and audit, since I'm not currently riding. And I always audit a prospective new clinician before I ride with them.

[blackhorse6]

I have ridden with maryal numerous times.. She is so down to earth and makes it easy to comprehend what she is asking of her students. Wish I could ride with her again...Hopefully soon! Carole Grant is another good one:D

[mademoiselle]

Carole Grant is awesome. She is easy to understand, straight to the point and so good to bring up young horses.
I also ride with her daughter Mary Ann Grant that I would also highly recommand.
:yes::yes::yes:

[Dressage_Julie]

Conrad Schumacher, Tom Poulin/Ryan Yap, Lars Peterson

[mjhco]

Since you are interested in the eventing as well as the flat work, then definitely Grant Schneidman and/or Sharon Schneidman. They KNOW the eventing side of things and are excellent at the dressage. And they understand how it all plays together.

In addition Janet Foy, Dolly Hannon, Gary Rockwell

[ESG]

I second Grant Schneidman. Wonderful trainer, very patient and articulate. I was privileged to ride his old Advanced horse when I had a lesson with him at High Prairie, many years ago. Pretty cool. :yes:

[IrishDeclan]

I can't say enough good things about Jeremy. He has the ability to watch a horse and rider for just a few minutes and immediately hone in on issues that need addressing. I'm primarily an eventer so it's nice that he was once an eventer also. I sneak in jump lessons on a regular basis :winkgrin:.

[jodyb]

I'm a real fan of Janet Foy. I clinic with her every other week. She gets to the heart of the matter and has a great way of explaining what she wants and how to do it. She's also very good at improving test riding, though it's been a while since I've shown.

I think Bent Jensen is great. My horse is always improved after clinicing with him.

[Southernlawyer]

:yes:


I'm fortuante enough to board at the same barn as Jim and He is fabulous. :yes: We're working on lead changes on my mare right now. His last name actually just has one F in it though.

He has a gift for working with people and horses.....always finds the positive and helps you fix the problems. :yes:

Another vote for Jim and exactly why you said - he's the best. Our barn seems to be on kind of a clinician crossroads and you feel obligated to support the various clinics - not that that's a bad thing, as we get really top people - but aside from being a good barn participant, there's no need to ride with anyone but Jim IMHO. He was also an advanced level eventer and can teach jumping - not that you will ever find me flying over fences, at least not intentionally.

[Beasmom]

Dittos what jodyb said. Janet Foy has been instrumental in helping me along with my gelding. I also love Bent Jensen. He's expensive, but very good!

[Strictly Classical]

Jesssica Jo Tate is fabulous:

http://team-tatedressage.com/

[elio]

John Lassetter from West Sussex, England. Also loved riding with John MacPherson from Canada. Both are excellent and cannot wait to rode with them again. :D:):winkgrin:

[Bogey2]

Christoph Hess

[kaarina]

J. Ashton (Jeff) Moore is fantastic

Jeff Moore is an International Judge and international dressage, jumping and vaulting clinician. He is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Dutch Warmblood Registry in North America as well as the Co-Founder of the American Vaulting Association. Mr. Moore concentrates on dressage and vaulting after a successful career as a hunter, jumper and 3-day event competitor. He trains horses through the FEI Grand Prix level at his training facility Osierlea, which he owns with dressage luminary Elizabeth Searle in San Juan Bautista, California. He coaches national and international level dressage and vaulting competitors at Osierlea and at clinics throughout the USA and abroad.

Mr. Moore trains judges in several equestrian disciplines and works to promote a better understanding of equine and human biomechanics among judges and trainers. He says, "A better understanding of how horses and humans function - independently, and as centaur - encourages more insightful, more systematic, and kinder training methods as well as more knowledgeable judging."

[Sonesta]

J. Ashton (Jeff) Moore is fantastic

Jeff Moore is an International Judge and international dressage, jumping and vaulting clinician. He is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Dutch Warmblood Registry in North America as well as the Co-Founder of the American Vaulting Association. Mr. Moore concentrates on dressage and vaulting after a successful career as a hunter, jumper and 3-day event competitor. He trains horses through the FEI Grand Prix level at his training facility Osierlea, which he owns with dressage luminary Elizabeth Searle in San Juan Bautista, California. He coaches national and international level dressage and vaulting competitors at Osierlea and at clinics throughout the USA and abroad.

Mr. Moore trains judges in several equestrian disciplines and works to promote a better understanding of equine and human biomechanics among judges and trainers. He says, "A better understanding of how horses and humans function - independently, and as centaur - encourages more insightful, more systematic, and kinder training methods as well as more knowledgeable judging."

His biomechanics clinics are marvellous!

[Movin Artfully]

Liz Steacie is very, very talented.

My experience at her clinic this weekend was that every rider got custom instruction- and all participants (all levels of horses and riders/combos) showed marked improvement by the end of their ride. She is firm yet kind and has a great understanding of how to communicate her knowledge to the rider.

Her candor and sense of humor were a real bonus as well :)

Very highly recommended.

[Keepthepeace]

Christilot Boylen. Brilliant!

[Speedy Alice]

Bereiter Herbert Seiberl of the Spanish Riding School. He is very clear and articulate with his instruction, kind and infinitely patient, and sticks to the classic principles of the SRS. Nothing fancy or new - just a very methodical, systematic approach to developing the horse that makes so much sense and doesn't compromise the horse mentally or physically.

He's coming to Michigan next week - can't wait! :)

[Zugabe]

I just got back from a dressage clinic with Bill Woods. I love his clinics!

http://www.woodsdressage.com/index.asp

[Druid Acres]

Cindy Ishoy.