Amateur Dressage

hey all,
as you know by now, my current partner is a very right-brained extrovert with a difficult history, and although i'm trying my hardest to help him along, i'm currently stuck largely because i'm so overmounted (for a 5'4" person, he's like riding the coffee table if it were hung on the ceiling). i've hesitated to seek professional help simply because i've worried that someone more assertive (i'm clearly not confident/assertive enough) who does not know him as well might set him off and we'd lose a lot of the progress we'd made (but then how haughty of me to assume someone else would just mess him up). however, i'm becoming increasingly interested in finding that professional support. i was hoping for recommendations from you all for gentle trainers who recognize that when it comes to working with horses, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work. i've been consulting frequently with Elaine at Lake Norman Dressage (this consult thing could be another whole business for her!) and have recently heard wonderful things about ECC's Karim, but i know i'm quite out of the loop, so hoped you all could give me some direction. i'm not wanting at all to place him at a trainer's facility, but rather keep him with me and have someone come over to meet us (in Davidson). i'm not so sure trailering to a trainer's barn is an option, since Fuzzy doesn't really fit in my trailer (which is another really funny story, but i'll spare you). thank you all so very much, your help is greatly appreciated!! hope the weekend treated you all and your horses well!

Wow Mouse I feel your pain. I too have a special horse that I just can't bring myself to turn over to a trainer. She and I are rather attached to each other, and I would miss her terribly in the day to day scheme of things if I sent her out for training. Plus, I have always wanted to learn to be the best rider/trainer for her that I could be. I have accepted the fact that progress will (and has) been slow for us, and am ok with that. My motto is: we have time - we will take time - there is no rush. Its all about the journey, right?

I can tell you from personal experience that Elaine Hayes is great. She is a very kind, empathetic trainer who is first and foremost an advocate for the horse. I also think that she has a good deal of respect for those who wish to work hard, and gain knoweldge on their own so that they can ride and train their own horse. Just my personal opinion, but you can't go wrong working with her. She is an excellent teacher for helping humans to understand their horses too! If you can stick with her. I'm not sure if she travels to other farms to do lessons though. Davidson isn't so far from her - is there any way you could trailer over to her. Or have someone take you over to her facility? She is such a compassionate person and I think would do well with your horse. You mention that he comes with a "history"; Elaine has taken on problem horses with good results.

I really don't know a lot about Karim at ECC. What I have heard has been positive.

I believe that the discipline you are most interested in - dressage or jumping - will have a big impact on your decision.

Another trainer that I might suggest is Stacey Hastings. I'm not sure if she travels; she is located at Finncastle Farms in Mooresville. Actually, she is very close to Elaine. I think she is also a kind, sympathetic trainer who has worked with many different breeds of horses.

Whatever you decide I wish you the best of luck.