[hntrjmprpro45]

If you had to choose one trainer as the "ultimate dressage trainer" who would it be? In other words __________ is to dressage as George Morris is to hunter/jumpers. Or if one single person didn't stand out, who would be your top three? Who would be your "go to" recommendation for newbies to read up on/clinic with/study in general?

[Bogey2]

Karl Mikolka

[TickleFight]

My recommendation to anybody would be Catherine Haddad. She is intelligent, articulate, and gets the best out of a horse. Her methods, derived from the famous Willi Schultheis and Schultheis disciple Rudy Zeilinger, are consistent and very fair to the horse.

[CFFarm]

Mine changes from time to time. These days it's Paul Belasik.

[alibi_18]

The Ultimate would be Edward Gal but since this is not possible... I really enjoyed working with Diane Creech. I wish she wasn't so busy and so far.


Oh and I audited a Cesar Parras'clinic and he was really good too. He rode and it really took him a sec to understand the horse. You could see he just love riding.

[Carol O]

Anne Gribbons.

[Tasker]

Another vote for Catherine Haddad Staller.

[Petstorejunkie]

These days it's Paul Belasik.

I love how he is able to bring the best out of any pairing. Great to clinic with, great books to read (easy to understand and entertaining), great discussions... all keeping the horse's well being at the forefront of the work.
I have a TB that can be a bit neurotic and gets "overloaded" easily and we have a blast working with Paul.

[Dalemma]

Mine changes from time to time. These days it's Paul Belasik.

I am very lucky to have Gina Allen-Belasik as my teacher.

Dalemma

[CZF]

I think I'd have to say Dr. Bechtolsheimer.

[Xpression]

In terms of fame and talent as a coach?

Klaus Balkenhol.

[hntrjmprpro45]

Thanks for all the responses. I've heard of most of these trainers except for Belasik. I'll definitely have to look him up after hearing so many positive comments.

[J-Lu]

"Ultimate dressage trainer".

What does this mean? On their personal competition horses? On other peoples' horses in clinic situations/occasionalshow situations? As clinicians/trainers teaching other people on their own horses?

These are very different beasts/situations.

[Brindisi]

Too many to list!! Some of mine are very different to each other but I have learned valuable things from all. Edward, Klaus, Catherine (that article about horsey autism!), and Carl Hester to name a few. I have admired Carl for many years and think the book title, "Down To Earth Dressage" describes why - very happy to see him doing so well!

Here in Aus, I admire Linda O'Leary's tact and skill with young and remedial horses, using dressage principles to fix very tricky problems and set them back on the right track, whether in a dressage career or not.


If I went on there would be hundreds. If you listen to many, you can choose for yourself what works for you and what doesn't - either way you learn something.

[Petstorejunkie]

I've heard of most of these trainers except for Belasik. I'll definitely have to look him up after hearing so many positive comments.

He's written several books and has participated in Dr. Hillary Clayton's work on the biomechanical effects of true collection. He performed the levade onto a pressure plate with his Thoroughbred, St. Graal who is featured on the cover of A Search for Collection.
I own all of his books, with my favorites being Riding Towards the Light and A Search for Collection.

[mbm]

reiner klimke
ingrid klimke
(both have books and dvds)

alois podhajsky

Steinbrecht (the father of modern dressage - a great book and very readable)

too many to name!

[dressagecue]

Another vote for Catherine. One of the few out there who can actually sit!

[DutchDressageQueen]

If I went on there would be hundreds. If you listen to many, you can choose for yourself what works for you and what doesn't - either way you learn something.