I started training with Ulla in the winter of 2006 after a frustrating period with my young and opinionated Trakehner mare by Kostolany x Patron.  Even now Ulla often recalls many of our early training sessions, which were spent in walk, just trying to gain some level of submission. These sessions were not always a resounding success but with a lot of patience coupled with Ulla’s knowledge, we began to make progress. She has always maintained a positive approach; never did she suggest that I should sell my horse although I am sure it had crossed her mind (and mine!) on many occasions.  How refreshing it was to have found a trainer who tried as hard as me to get the best from the horse with no agenda other than a true commitment to good training of both horse and rider.

Two years later and there have been huge gains. I have more control. My riding has definitely improved and I have gained a far clearer and deeper understanding of the training process. Throughout this training period I feel ever more excited and motivated about dressage and am inspired to continually look forwards, applying all that I have learnt and am continuing to learn. The sound framework Ulla has taught me enables me, most importantly, to continue to develop at home with my other horses, my youngsters and also my clients and their horses.

Home is a small village in Hertfordshire, on the outskirts of London. Here I run a successful livery, training and breeding yard. Breeding is another of my passions and I have many interesting bloodlines in my youngstock, including Insterburg, Münchausen, Gribaldi and Rotspon to name but a few.

I never thought that horses would become my whole life, although they have always been a big part of my family. One of my earliest memories is leaving the international arena at Royal Windsor, age 5, on my show pony as the Household Cavalry band entered, needless to say I nearly left my pony as well!

After leaving school I graduated with a Degree in Information Design and afterwards completed a Masters in Museum Design at Central Saint Martin’s School of Art and Design in London. Whilst studying I found myself more frequently in the saddle.  Upon reflection, my renewed interest in riding during this period of my life seemed to be paving the way for what turned out to be a full time career with horses. It was whilst struggling with a Thoroughbred stallion, that I contacted a dressage trainer to help with my flatwork. It was only when he was out of work and I had replaced him in my lessons with a Trakehner x Oldenburg stallion did my interest in dressage and Trakehners begin to flourish - it was at this point my career path took a completely different direction and here I am training with Ulla Salzgeber; hoping to fulfil my ambition of competing at Grand Prix on a horse that I have produced.

zurück                                                            return