TESTIMONIALS FROM STUDENTS

 
" I have been riding with Lynn for over 12 years and she has taught me everything I know about dressage. The most significant part of this journey has been the last few years during the time that I have had the opportunity to own a wonderful Grand Prix schoolmaster named Doublet. When I bought Doublet almost 5 years ago, I was a First level rider who was not focused on competing and knew nothing about the higher levels of dressage. So, it is safe to say that I did not know what I was getting myself into and what my overall "plan" was, but I trusted Lynn when she told me I needed to buy this horse!

Fast forwarding to today, I have successfully competed all the way through Grand Prix, completed my USDF Silver Medal and looking to hopefully complete my Gold Medal. I have competed in shows that before would have been far too intimidating for me, such as that Raleigh CDI and the Region 1 Championships. I can now clearly understand her motives back then and I have come to realize how lucky I was to get the opportunity to buy Doublet.

But, having the nearly perfect horse for a teacher is not the full recipe for success. You also need a great coach that can provide you a program that fits your specific short term and long term needs, and that is exactly what Lynn did for me. Lynn has had to push me to challenge myself, mentally and physically, and take full advantage of the opportunity I have had with Doublet. She has taught me how to refine my skills to the minute level you need to ride at the FEI levels.

Some people may think with a Grand Prix schoolmaster that these past few years of my riding have been easy. But the reality is that they have by far been the most challenging. Lynn has been instrumental in keeping me on that path, teaching me not to give up and to apply myself 110% toward each step in achieving my goal. I could not have done it without her! "

- Terry Sosa

 
" I have had the good fortune of much "show-ring" success in the past (lots of blue ribbons, GAIG champion at First, Second, Fourth; Reserve at Third... a trip to Devon... top 10 ranking as an Amateur in USDF at multiple levels, etc). However, it didn’t always "feel" good. I would look at Lynn, and she made it look so easy. Her horse seemed to come up through the levels effortlessly and always looked happy and content. Lynn was always smiling and her students were successful.

This summer I had to make a decision about choosing a new trainer and a new training facility. There was no doubt in my mind that North Star was where I wanted to go, and there has been no looking back.

I have made progress in leaps and bounds since I came under Lynn’s tutelage. She has explained so many concepts to me that had never been explained before. She doesn’t just tell you to do something, like "half halt", she stops you and shows you exactly how to do it. She has a way of explaining things that make it crystal clear. Each lesson builds upon the last. Now I am smiling, my horse is working harder than ever and we are becoming that harmonious team that I have been striving for.

Finally, it takes a village to manage and maintain a competitive dressage horse and Lynn has the best of the best in place to make that happen. In fact, her program is the ONLY reason that I am riding my beloved horse, Rico and working towards the 2009 show season. I look forward to that with much anticipation, after a 2 year hiatus from showing, as Lynn’s student.

- Meredith Weiner

 
" Lynn has really helped me to think more as a trainer and not just a rider. The foundation work that we are laying is to train my horse to Grand Prix, not just the level that I am working on now. Lynn has really helped me to focus on the rideability of my horse, not just the movements or the exercises. My horse’s gaits have improved because of the new level of throughness, rideability and softness. Lynn helps to push me to that higher level of performance with my horse. I am able to gather those "moments" during my lessons so that I go home and work on them and strive to achieve more of those "moments" on my own. As a result, my scores have improved and we are continuing to move up the levels.

- Bonnie Gibson

 
" I looked up a number of trainers in the area when I first arrived. Going through websites and reading testimonials and learning about their different philosophies.

Lynn stood out in my mind and she was one of the people I choose to call and inquire about further. The main thing that immediately persuaded me to follow up with her was her prompt return of my phone call and she took time to talk with me about my horses and what I was looking for. This sincerity has carried through in to my training relationship with her and I feel it is an extremely valuable asset. As adult amateurs, we invest not only our money but our hearts and souls into our horses and their training. Lynn demonstrates an ability to listen - and takes time to make you feel heard - essentials for a good trainer.

In my limited time training with Lynn, she was quick to discover where the holes were in my riding and my horses. I found myself able to correct fundamental issues that were restricting me from really being able to progress. I am excited to see how much progress I will be able to make in the near and distant future with Lynn.

- Nicole Hamilton

 

A riding acquaintance recently asked me what it’s like to have a horse in training. She knew that I have two horses with Lynn at NSTC, so I guess she was really asking about what it’s like to train with Lynn. But I thought back to other trainers I’ve been with, and I had to say that training with Lynn is different (and better) than training has been for me when I’ve trained with other people.

Things that Lynn does:
  • Teach each horse and rider, no matter how humble their beginning point is
  • Help each horse and rider improve
  • Analyze what's going on with each horse and rider
  • Change the analysis when the situation changes
  • Praise every accomplishment (no matter how small)
  • Support each rider's adventure with dressage
  • Stop when the horse or rider has had enough
  • Communicate her own expertise effectively
  • Develop a training schedule for each horse
  • Follow up on each horse's work and progress
  • Expose students to other excellent riders/coaches
  • Show up on time for lessons (believe me, some trainers don't!)
  • Stand by and supports her students at shows (ditto)
  • Manage the barn effectively and efficiently, with the horses' interests as her top concern
 Things that Lynn doesn't do:
  • Belittle horse or rider
  • Say "why can't you do it?" with no further explanation of what to do
  • Spend most of the lesson talking to other people
  • Forget (?) to ride the horse when scheduled to do so
 Lynn is one of the most sensitive-to-animals people I've ever met. My old horse adores her, my young horse loves and respects her, and my dogs throw themselves at her when she visits my house. I trust her completely with my animal treasures.

Her hospitality to me and to all her students is wonderful. I moved to North Carolina from the Boston area in 2002, didn't know a soul except for the people at work. Lynn welcomed me and my horse to her farm, and has made me feel like a new place is home, after a very short time. I will always value my experience at NSTC, Lynn's friendship, and all of the learning she has helped me to do.

- Pat McDaniels

 

"I have chosen NSTC because Lynn teaches the purest form of dressage. There are no short cuts. Her technique is gentle and logical. Lynn has a magical touch with horses. She emphasizes rider's confidence and relaxation and happiness in the horse. Every lesson is a success."

"Lynn is very patient and dedicated to the horse-rider connection and harmony. She makes the art of dressage shine. Her teaching is precise and clear and she is attentive to every detail. When I come out of the lessons with Lynn, I feel I have made a giant step. Diva feels softer, more forward, more energized and above all, she is happy."

"When I started riding with Lynn, my goal for Diva and I was to further our partnership and to dance in harmony. I was frustrated from lessons where I constantly had to deal with stiffness and resistance. At NSTC, I found what I was looking for…a peaceful environment, a beautiful setting in which the art of dressage is emphasized to its purest form with patience and dedication. This has been an exciting experience for both Diva and I."

- Patty Moreland

 
"I will always be grateful to Lynn Leath for introducing me to dressage, and inspiring me with her freestyle. She labored to instill honest, classical basics that I continue to rely and build on. Her attention to detail, again and again, helped her students excel in the show ring and grow as riders in their own right. She provided clinics that kept us all reaching for more, and gave us an insight into national and international dressage. Best of all, we loved our horses, cheered for each other, and had fun! Today, my freestyle business carves its own path, but looking back, I know it would not exist had I not been Lynn's student."

- Marlene Whitaker

 


"Lynn has taught me how to ride my horse so that he does the work, not me. He provides the engine and I provide the direction and the fine-tuning. Her style of instruction allows the horse to be the athlete and teaches you to do less in order to get more. This philosophy also helps to forge a bond of trust between horse and rider and encourages the rider to "let go" and not resist the energy. Horses are infinitely more trusting and are easier convince to do this than their riders.

Lynn is very methodical in adding steps to your training program. She doesn't set time frames and allows you to go at your own pace. She makes sure that you understand the progression and doesn't leave any steps out. But, Lynn is also very clear that there is only one right way and she won't let you move forward doing it wrong. Most importantly, Lynn recognizes when you are not ready to learn a new concept and will patiently wait until you are.

Lynn's facility is fantastic and facilitates learning. I look forward to every lesson I have at NSTC and being able to concentrate on the task at hand. And most of all, Lynn makes the learning process fun."

-Donna Christopher



 
" Lynn has a wonderful straight-forward approach to horse training that is easily applied to variety of horses. She offers a menu of tools that enhance the rideability of the horse and increase the effectiveness of the rider. Her system is obviously well-thought-out and she communicates it to her students in a clear, cheerful manner that makes learning easy and a pleasure. "

- Mistie Cantey



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