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Courtship Ranch welcomes a variety of riding styles and is pleased to have several instructors and trainers working here.
Dane Lawrence and Willowcrest Dressage
For USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist Dane Lawrence, building a harmonious connection between horse and rider is the ultimate goal of dressage. With an emphasis on lightness, consistency, and proper technique, Dane strives to help his clients (ranging from beginning to experienced riders) and their horses develop the knowledge and skill to achieve a strong and successful partnership.
More often than not, our horses are stiff or resistant because we as riders are tense or off balance. When this happens, we lose the ability to communicate through our aids. Once we learn to engage the right muscles and develop a balanced seat, our horses immediately begin to go better, because they can “hear” us more clearly.
With over 20 years as a trainer, competitor and instructor, Dane believes that proper school exercises, based on a solid classical approach, can enhance the balance, strength, and suppleness of any horse, regardless of age, breed, or conformation.
Dane advocates a well-rounded training regimen, integrating arena riding with in-hand work, trail, jumping, and turnout. By keeping his schooling sessions positive, yet challenging, Dane’s goal is to help both horse and rider move forward together and reach their full potential.
Willowcrest Dressage at Courtship Ranch
Dane Lawrence
USDF Silver and Bronze Medalist
Training - Lessons - Clinics – Sales
Training Through FEI
818-399-5643
willowcrestdressage@yahoo.com
Matthew Walsh from North Star Farms
Matthew Walsh has a lifetime of experience working with horses. When he was young, Matthew competed in the hunter-jumper and three-day evening junior circuits. He always had a gift with animals and training came naturally to him. Animals, not just horses, respond easily to him and always appear to want to please him. Matthew's focus these days is on developing safe and sound equines for all disciplines. He bases his training philosophy on natural horsemanship techniques, believing that it is best to work patiently with horses to ensure that what he teaches them "sticks." When not training, Matthew competes on the western pleasure circuit and occasionally participates in extreme cowboy races.
Matthew offers a wide variety of training, which includes behavioral problems, western pleasure, colt starting, ground work, trail, hunter-jumper and eventing. No matter what the discipline, Matthew's goal is to produce a well-rounded horse who enjoys his job and a rider who is confident.
More information can be found at www.northstarfarms.yolasite.com
Matthew Walsh can be reached through Courtship Ranch or by calling him directly at 818-749-6131, his cell phone is: 818-220-3389 and his email is northstarfarms@rocketmail.com
Courtship Ranch Boarder Horse Show Photos 2010
Our trainers had a very active 2010 show season. We celebrate their successes with the following video.