Recommendation for Dressage Trainer, Norfolk

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MushyPeas

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Hi

Can anyone recommend a really good dressage trainer in Norfolk. I am prepared to travel but looking for someone who really understands flatwork and probably is either a listed judge or has competed to quite a high level. Also, someone who is quite sympathetic ..... I want someone who doesn't believe in gadgets and tricks. This horse and I have had a very rocky start and need to give each other confidence at each step, so someone who can work with slow and solid progress rather than quick and flashy!!
 
Which part of Norfolk? Emma Openshaw is in Wisbech. She has trained for a few years under some very big names and is a PSG competitor but has competed GP. I love her lessons; she focusses on you as much as the horse and she's a real confidence giver. I have a great horse but at times a very worried one. It's difficult to know, sometimes, whether his behaviour is because he's worried or he's taking the micky and pretending to be a springbok for the pure hell of it. She saw his unruly behaviour last Thursday and I explained that my normal recourse of reaction (lightning swiping of the reins and setting his neck means a temporary loss of steering) was just not available and we worked out something that would give me a means to correct it without causing further issues. The fact that she took the time to do that, giving me my confidence back at the same time, meant a huge amount to me. I've had instructors who are supposed to be top notch who didn't care how I rodel; as long as the horse was looking good I could have had my left foot in my right earhole and they wouldn't have said anything. Emma takes time to explain the aids, and repeats things within the lesson until we're both able to do it. At the same time, she ensures that no two lessons are the same, and always asks what we want to work on at the start. PM for her number, if you'd like.
 
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Hereshoping said:
I've had instructors who are supposed to be top notch who didn't care how I rodel; as long as the horse was looking good I could have had my left foot in my right earhole and they wouldn't have said anything.
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I am mid-Norfolk but prepared to travel for the right instructor. I think Hereshoping sums up pretty much what I don't want (as above) and Emma sounds great although maybe a bit far away. I am not particularly competitive but want to ride my 'not very flashy' horse well and sympathetically. I love learning, even though I am not the most naturally talented rider.

Thank you so much for your replies and yes, please keep them coming as I occasionally see people who ride so nicely and sympathetically that I want to have their knowledge - I know there are good trainers out there!
 
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I know a lot of people really rate Sharon Hunt as an instructor, and Judy Hancock. And all of those mentioned above by P_P.
 
Liz Mills has a v good reputation. ( I believe she is in charge of junior team GB dressage training,) she does several clinics around Norfolk and Suffolk
 
I live in west Norfolk and I would recommend*Charmian*Aitkin very highly. She lives in sedgeford, so am not sure how far she is from you. I have found her instruction extremely beneficial and helpful and easy to understand:) Hope this helps in any way!
 
Liza Mcquiston is fab, she completely changed Finns way of going (through me) and has a very clear way of explaining things. She's in Mattishall so quite easy to get to :)
 
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