Dressage Training

Alison Knickerbocker, USDF Bronze Medalist, has been riding dressage for more than 30 years, starting as a teenager in New Jersey.  She attended the Potomac Horse Center's (MD) Instructor's Certification Program in the early '80's, then moved to CA where her riding and career goals changed to accomodate starting a family and a business.  But dressage was always a passion, and any spare time was spent on horseback.  She has trained with Donna Snyder Smith, a Centered Riding instructor, since 1992, and with Vitor Silva, of Sons of the Wind Farm in MA, since 2001, as well as numerous other well-known dressage instructors over the years (with a stint of reining clinics with Pat Wyse - in a dressage saddle, of course!).  This education has given her the ability to address the rider's position and its influence on the horse, and the tools to position the horse correctly to achieve balance and harmony with the rider.  She and her Shire/Thoroughbred gelding, Windsor, have qualified every year since his first year in training (2003) for the regional and state championships, with a few Reserve Champion titles and Champion title (at 2nd level freestyle), all as an adult amateur, and all independently, without professional training.  She recently partnered with Theresa Hawkins of Brentwood Oaks and Vitor Silva in presenting Vitor's imported Lusitanos for sale.   Her specialty is the adult amateur, especially those who have competition goals, as her unique experience in the show world will make the dressage show experience both fun and successful for her students.  She can provide school horses to those with intermediate skills, or teach you on your own horse at Brentwood Oaks.  She will also accept horses for training as slots become available.  For more information, contact her at knkrbkr@gmail.com or at 916-398-0485.

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In 1986 Cindi attended a Centered Riding Instructors Clinic taught by Sally Swift author of  “Centered Riding” and “Centered Riding Further Exploration”. Sally was recently inducted into the United States Dressage Federation Hall of Fame for her invaluable contribution to the sport of dressage. Cindi has since then participated in Centered Riding Clinics for instructors for over 22 years and has earned her Level I and Level II teaching credentials. She is currently studying for her 4th  Instructor Certification this time with Connected Riding Inc. and expects to complete this program in the near future.

The classical European techniques of Balanced Seat  combined with Centered Riding techniques and Connected Riding go hand in hand as they give riders of all disciplines the tools to correct their body position through awareness and inner references. Only through these tools can changes be made.  As riders become aligned and holding patterns, tension and resistance are released the body finds balance, softness and feel. A well grounded and connected body is the end result.
 
Teaching Certifications:
 
. British Horse Society Instructor
. British Horse Society Horsemastership
. Centered Riding Instructor Level l
. Centered Riding Instructor Level ll
. Instructor's Continuing Education Certifications ( 10 )
 
Classical Seat and Position Specialist:
 
. Balanced Seat Training
. Centered Riding
. Connected Riding

For more information on services or lessons, call Cindi at (925) 755-3311, or send e-mail to cindi@leisureequestrian.com.

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Cindy with Oficial 2010

Cindy Shaw   Cindy started riding at the young age of six and as a junior rider, she competed in Pony Club, three day eventing and dressage.  Cindy has riden  with exceptional  trainers such as Dressage Master Vitor Silva from Sons of the Wind School of Equestrian Arts in Massachusetts  and Donna Snyder-Smith, centered rider instructor and well known author.
Cindy enjoys teaching the novice amateur rider.  Whether you have been riding for years or are just beginning, Cindy offers the patience, instruction and encouragement everyone needs to succeed. 
For more information or lessons, contact Cindy at 209-496-7636.