Native-friendly classical leaning dressage instructor in Essex?

J

JFTDWS

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As title really - can anyone recommend someone who would give lessons to a semi-ambitious adult who inexplicably chose a highland as a competitve dressage pony, without looking down on the choice of mount? But, er, not one who is really geared towards novices either - more someone who can show me how to get the best out of my horse, if you get the distinction?

Preferably without resorting to brute force / gadgets etc (hence somewhat classical leaning)... I realise I sound fussy - I am, it's my little lad's future training I'm talking about - I should be picky about who I trust, right? :o

Anyway, thanks if anyone can help :)
 
Tinypony said:
OK, this lady isn't very well known, but she's a fantastic trainer and has herself studied with the greats. Scroll down to Karen French, and don't be put off by the "nh" bit, she's got a wealth of classical experience behind her. http://www.silversand.com.au/index.php?o...6&Itemid=77
I know that she teaches in E Sussex, and as far down as Guildford, you might be able to travel to join one of her lessons.
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I know its sussex but it might be near enough as i dont know how far you would be from her.

I have met karen and she is indeeed a wonderful person and I have watched her working with her horses. I dont live near enough to have lessons with her but certainly would .. and on my welshie ;)


have fun with your HiPo, some of them have fantasic movement so of course can do stressage ;)
 
Chelmsford :) thanks tazzle I'll look at the link when I'm not on my phone but I reckon Sussex is a bit far... Sounds great though.
 
Should add, have trailer, will travel! Would need to hire somewhere anyway as I haven't got a school!
 
JFTD - Just been reading through some of your posts, and you sounds very inspirational :) I'm also a native lover, have my 17 year old Welsh D, and my sister's 23 year old New Forest. Love reading about your adventures, and hope to have lots of my own this year as we've just moved the ponies to Braintree which seems to be very horsey (Essex Bridleways Assoc. and Braintree Riding Club for starters).

Anyway, was wondering whether you actually found an instructor as your description is spot on for what I'm after and it saves me from starting a new post. Thanks :)
 
Saffron_Envy said:
JFTD - Just been reading through some of your posts, and you sounds very inspirational :) I'm also a native lover, have my 17 year old Welsh D, and my sister's 23 year old New Forest. Love reading about your adventures, and hope to have lots of my own this year as we've just moved the ponies to Braintree which seems to be very horsey (Essex Bridleways Assoc. and Braintree Riding Club for starters).

Anyway, was wondering whether you actually found an instructor as your description is spot on for what I'm after and it saves me from starting a new post. Thanks :)
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Dear God, inspirational :eek: you must be MAD!! lol :o

Always nice to meet a local native lover *waves* I occasionally do BRC stuff so may see you about if you're there - spot the highland and come say hi?

Ehem, I didn't really. I did have a suggestion via pm of guy whose name I will go and pull out in a sec in Colchester, who I never tried as I can't school much in winter (no school) and have been a little distracted (pony discovered his jump so...). I keep meaning to rejoing the Classical riding club as they're the best place to find that sort of instructor really...
 
Maxine Kemp teaches me on my Welsh D. She is interested in classical and biomechanics - no gadgets at all not even lunging with side reins, only correct riding and in hand work.
As far as the beginner stuff goes - well, she pulled my riding apart completely for the first few weeks right down to 'this is how you sit properly on your horse when she is walking' because although I've been riding for twenty something years, it was, er, wrong. Results are great though and my horse is much happier with me now so that speaks for itself.
Her number is 07711982445 and she is based in Chelmsford.
 
Interesting, thanks unbalanced - that may help you, S_E? I can't find the pm I was looking for :o - I may give her a try come spring...

She may make me sit properly on the right rein :eek: Since my OP, I've discovered how squint I am :(
 
JFTD - try Patty Clarkson at Clavering, if she is till teaching if not Sophie her daughter. They helped me out with my cob years ago and are totally amazing, purely classical, no gadgets or gimmicks. Sophie was very involved in Training teachers of tomorrow. Will try and dig out a number...
 
Suziq77 said:
What about Darren Crowe near Ongar? I'm sure he'd appreciate your lovely Highland.
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Why [would he appreciate my hairy yak I mean!]? :o I've never heard of him :o *googles*

Murphs_Mum said:
JFTD - try Patty Clarkson at Clavering, if she is till teaching if not Sophie her daughter. They helped me out with my cob years ago and are totally amazing, purely classical, no gadgets or gimmicks. Sophie was very involved in Training teachers of tomorrow. Will try and dig out a number...
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That's the TTT? I had a lesson (not on my boys, it wasn't for riding purposes :p ) with a guy whose style was lovely and he raved about the TTT (I think?) but I can't remember what it stood for :o If you've got a number I'll add it to the list and see if I can convince someone to try come springtime, cheers :) Good luck to them though, I'm not renowned for my dressage skills :eek:
 
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Woo thanks for all those suggestions, will look them all up :) I should add that I don't have transport, so they would need to travel to me :)

JFTD - Nice that you do so many different things (love the sound of horseball BTW) we got stuck in a bit of a rut the last few years as we had no transport (still don't) and there was no local horse groups. Feeling very motivated this year, had a go at Interdressage, and like the sound of Trec, Prix Caprilli, pencilled in some EBA pleasure rides, so much to do!!! Will look out for you at BRC :)
 
Saffron_Envy said:
JFTD - Nice that you do so many different things (love the sound of horseball BTW) we got stuck in a bit of a rut the last few years as we had no transport (still don't) and there was no local horse groups. Feeling very motivated this year, had a go at Interdressage, and like the sound of Trec, Prix Caprilli, pencilled in some EBA pleasure rides, so much to do!!! Will look out for you at BRC :)
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Oh, it just makes me a jack of all trades and a master of none, really :o There's a reasonable amount of TREC-type events round here if you can get to them too - in fact, if you were looking at my old posts you may have seen a TREC report in CR (which got no replies :( ) about one in Chelmsford last summer. There's also meant to be another full trec in east essex this year and a few indoors - I may well be at some of those too, if you're there, and maybe the EBAs too :)

Don't display interest in horseball or I will badger you to try to make you have a go at playing that too... Best not to encourage me :D
 
JFTD said:
That's the TTT? I had a lesson (not on my boys, it wasn't for riding purposes :p ) with a guy whose style was lovely and he raved about the TTT (I think?) but I can't remember what it stood for :o If you've got a number I'll add it to the list and see if I can convince someone to try come springtime, cheers :) Good luck to them though, I'm not renowned for my dressage skills :eek:
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Training teachers of tomorrow trust - google them. Patty must be late seventies now, she is the most amazing horse woman I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Even watching her lunge a horse is an experience in itself. When she gets on (she is a tiny thing) horses seem to grow at least a hand. She trained with the greats in classical, Sophie had lessons with Kottas.

I had a coloured mare - very similar to your boy and I had a horrendous fall. At the time I was working at a stud and the owner went to patty weekly so I took my hairy beastie along - other horse was a show hack! Patty sees the beauty in any horse and certainly never mad me feel bad for not owning a dressage diva! I also recall a couple of years at she got an exmoor for her granddaughter and will tell you tales of riding dartmoor ponies to school so she loves natives.... :)
 
I've been having lessons with Kayleigh tuppen with my welsh D for the last 6 months. We have gone from unaff prelim to aff elem in that time without any force or pressure. You cannot tell my mare anything but she really loves our lessons now. She is also a beautiful rider as well as a good trainer. I would highly reccomend her. If you google her she has a website
 
I can highly recommend Cathy Glen who is based just outside Chelmsford. She has worked with all manner of horses at varying levels of dressage and eventing, from hairy cobs to warmbloods and Andalusians! I find her fantastic for getting the very best out of every horse & rider, and progressing you just at the right pace.
Her website is www.piedhorse.co.uk
 
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