Trainers and Mentors

X - Halt, Salute...

It is with a huge, repeat HUGE, smile on my face that I can say Tai did well at the PVDA Ride For Life a couple weeks ago. It was the first time in a very long time that I have shown him. He was focused, calm and very rideable - I entered A with a big smile on my face because he just felt “there”, with me. Even though I was the pilot in this ride, it went as well as it did because I have had the support and training from some fantastic people along the way. There are three trainers who have been on my journey with Tai - Jan Brons, Scott Hassler and Uwe Steiner. It is with deep appreciation and gratitude that I say THANK YOU!

This past winter spending two months with Jan was invaluable. I truly believe the work we did this winter and the exposure Tai got in Wellington created the foundation to enter the show ring with confidence. His training philosophy and progression of the horse is clear and effective. Not only do I love Jan’s teaching, but he is an elegant rider whose position and manner I try to emulate in the saddle. I feel it is really important that your trainer can give you the correct instruction from the ground as well as ride with grace and effectiveness. Jan does this.

Scott has been very helpful. I met him when Tai was five and we were demo riders at Hilltop’s Young Horse Symposium. Scott’s focus on accessing the horse’s back and creating throughness runs through everything we do in training. His detailed instruction, his ability to identify the root of a problem and communicate the way to address it with fairness and compassion to the horse has shaped the way I teach and train.

Uwe was there from the start - right after Tai arrived from Holland. He saw the completely green - no steering, no brakes Tai. With a smile on his face he graciously replied “no big deal, it’s young horses” as I profusely apologized for nearly running him over during our first lesson. Uwe has an infinite number of exercises and gymnastic patterns that he uses. I find myself going back to these exercises frequently. They are a wonderful resource for shaping and teaching horses and riders different concepts.

It is so important to have a trainer you really, really believe in! This sport is hard. There are no easy short cuts to success - there are many disappointments along the way, whether you have set backs with your horses soundness or face the frustrations of not-so-stellar rides. You need those that help you climb out of the sometimes abyss - that help you focus and get better, that you totally trust with the welfare and treatment of your horse. I feel very lucky to have been able to work with these trainers - they are truly some of the excellent ones out there.