learning dressage in High River Okotoks area

[Janice Denney]

Any suggestions on where I can learn beginning dressage on a lesson horse in the Okotoks High River area? I am older but have ridden western all my life. Did some beginner dressage on my own horse but wasn't able to gain confidence on a 17 hh horse with a big stride and very little training so sold him and gave up. After I get a good start would then like to work with my younger 16 hh horse at their arena.

[Jan Jollymour]

Hi, Janice:

There's a dressage trainer just up the road from you in DeWinton (actually, there are several). Check out Cadence Stables online (just Google them) and call Kelly Carter there. She's not breed biased, doesn't care if you don't have a warmblood, but will be a supportive and helpful coach/trainer. She has a number of friends and clients who are making the transition from western to dressage, and has some experience with helping the horses make the transition as well.

She's warm and approachable, as are the people in her barn, so no worries there - there are lots of "mature" riders there!

[Janice Denney]

Thank you!