There are a number of Dressage options at Leap of Faith Farms, whether you simply seek the occasional helpful lesson, need a young horse in full professional training, or wish to compete successfully yourself in the FEI Levels.

 Heather Robertson Dressage

www.heatherrobertsondressage.com

Heather Robertson is a Grand Prix level rider and trainer and was Short Listed for the Canadian Equestrian Team in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.  She has competed successfully at the Grand Prix level in Europe, and was the assistant trainer to Edward Gal in the Netherlands for over four years.  During her short time so far in the states, she has already made an impact on the California Dressage world.  Recently, she earned the title of 2007 CDS Horse of the Year Champion with her young first level horse, Vancouver.  She and Vancouver were also honored with the selection of Demonstration Rider for the USDF Traners Conference with Jan Brink in October 2007.
 
Heather Robertson Dressage focuses on having an individualized training program for both horse and rider, maximizing the potential of each  Training from basic to advanced level is offered, through either a full training program or individual lessons as desired.  Please contact Heather for more information 510-326-5543

 Rachel Saavedra Dressage

Rachel Saavedra is well known throughout the country as one of our preeminent dressage riders and trainers.  For 2007 alone, she and her own Robello were California Dressage Society Grand Prix Freestyle Horse of the Year Champions, as well as USDF Region 7 Grand Prix Freestyle Champions, and CDS Grand Prix Reserve Champion.  With decades of riding and teaching experience to offer, Rachel is a tremendous resource for anyone seeking to compete seriously at the higher levels.  She is currently accepting new clients for full training as well as occasional lessons.  Please call her directly at 925-577-7998

Laura Dwyer Dressage

Laura has been teaching riders in the Bay Area for 15 years. Until 2008 she trained horses and riders in the hunter/jumper discipline, developing juniors and adult amateurs in the hunter, jumper and equitation divisions.  She worked with thoroughbreds, ponies, warmbloods, and even draft crosses.  Laura’s personal experience in transitioning from the hunter/jumper discipline into dressage makes her uniquely qualified to help and encourage riders who have previous experience in other disciplines.  Since she came to dressage in her adult life, she is both patient and confident in teaching adult riders to achieve remarkable  heights in dressage.

Her degree in education and her natural wonder at the training process make her a skilled teacher and a delightfully inspiring guide to dressage.  She has years of experience in teaching and in horsemanship, yet her more recent entry into FEI level dressage practice and theory has given her a sense of excitement and discovery that she loves to share with her students.  A lifetime working student and trainer, she did not own her own horse until late in her career.  She purchased her special horse as a 13 month old colt and  marveled that she would finally own such a lovely horse so “late in life”.  So, her young stallion was named Laitin and became the cornerstone of her Laitin Life Farm.  Laura put Laitin in training with Rachel Saavedra to prepare for Oldenburg stallion licensing and a dressage career that crowned him 2006 USDF Prix St George Horse of the year.  When it was clear that Laitin was a special dressage horse, Laura too began her career as a dressage rider.  She contributed to Laitin’s early training and studied with Saavedra on him and numerous other horses that Laura has in training.  Laura has earned her USDF silver medal competing Laitin at the PSG level and is currently showing him Intermediate I.  Laura continues to train bi-weekly with Rachel Saavedra who not only helps her with her riding , but also mentors her as a dressage instructor.