Frances Carbonnel and Michelle Binder-Zolezzi
More presenters are being contracted each week so check back often to see who is the newest clinician on the Presenters roster! We would like to welcome and thank the individuals that have taken the time to join us in presenting the Classical Legacy Instructors Symposium. Each week features a different keynote speaker as well as industry experts each with a unique specialty. These individuals believe that it is time to come together to uplift, expand, and develop relationships within and without the equine industry, to remember and practice timeless classical principles, to respect the various disciplines that exist togther in the industry and to secure the future of the equestrian world for generations of young people yet to come. The future of the equine industry depends on many factors including the development of community and camaradrie between disciplines. Through your participation, we all wish to foster love for the horses and hope for the future in you and your students.
For information about us, go to our bio page under "About Us"
Dr. Heuschmann is a veterinarian, Bereiter, and world renowned clinician and speaker from Germany. Author of the books "Tug of War", "Balancing Act", and "Collection or Contortion" as well as creator of the DVD "If Horses Could Speak." He specialized in equine orthopedics, then became head of the breeding department at the German Equestrian Federation. Along with his friend Klaus Balkenhol, he is a founding member of Xenophon, an organization dedicated to promoting correct classical horsemanship. Now primarily a speaker and clinician, he travels worldwide speaking eloquently about equine biomechanics, correct classical riding, and the dynamic between horse and rider that is healthy for the horse. Dr. Heuschmann is an expert in the training of the young horse and coaches proper development of the riding horse over time toward the upper levels of dressage. Visit his webpage at
David de Wispelaere
Born in 1961 in New York, David De Wispelaere is an international dressage rider, trainer, and author, who worked for many years from his farm in Belgium and is currently based in Wellington, Florida. He has trained several horses to Grand Prix, was a two-time US Freestyle Champion and competed successfully throughout the USA and Europe. He has trained with a number of well-known and distinguished trainers, among them Gabriella Grillo, Dr. Reiner Klimke, Herbert Rehbein, and Arthur Kottas. De Wispelaere currently gives clinics in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, and the USA. In his first book, "Riding with Feeling" (now available in English), De Wispelaere gives insightful instruction for dressage work. In his second book, "My HorsesHave Something to Say", he writes intimately about his extraordinary life and the unforgettable horses that have accompanied him. The essence of his conversations with horses is that hey should be trained in an atmosphere of calm and understanding. He attaches great impolrtance to a trusting and respectful relationship between horse and rider. His training approaches are designed to promote a horse's natural movement and improve physical and mental health. Learn more about David by visiting his blog
Deborah Moynihan
Deb Moynihan is a USDF Certified Dressage Instructor/Trainer, USDF “L” Graduate with Distinction, USEF “r” Western Dressage Judge, USDF Bronze Medalist, and a former USEA Certified Eventing Instructor. Deb is the current president of Centered Riding International, Inc., and one of only 18 Certified Level IV International Centered Riding Instructor/Clinicians in the world. Centered Riding, Inc currently a leading instructor certification organization with over 1000 instructors throughout the world. Deb earned her Centered Riding credentials in 1988 from Sally Swift, the founder of Centered Riding. As an international Clinician, Deb has taught CR clinics, instructor courses and instructor update clinics throughout the US and Europe (Germany, Netherland, Denmark, France, UK). Centered Riding is applicable to all disciplines. It is a methodology to teach the rider how to communicate effectively and clearly to the horse using the 4 Basics of CR.
An experienced dressage rider and classicist, Deb has also worked with many other wonderful teachers and trainers. Denny Emerson, Jimmie Wofford, Sarah Geikie, Dr Gerd Heuschmann, Susanne Von Dietz to name just a few. Deb trained thru fourth level in Dressage on horses she started as babies, and Evented thru Preliminary on homebred TB/QH. Deb has worked with many different breeds of horses throughout her 60 year career as a rider. Deb is also an RN BSN and has been a nurse for 51 years. She owned her own farm in Connecticut for 40 years, teaching/training for over 45 years. Deb enjoys working with all different riders and horses no matter what the level. Every rider can benefit from the Centered Riding techniques. To find out more about Centered Riding go to
Kenda Firkins
“With 40+ years of working with people and horses, one of my favorite aspects of the industry is watching the relationship grow between the horse and rider…There is something special about the evolution of the bond between the two…Our focus at KTS is to facilitate that.”
KTS Mission…
At KTS we have made a study of, ‘Why customers make the choices they do?”
We have found that customers don’t simply buy products or services. They ‘hire’ them to do a job. That job is not just about function – like having a comfortable pair of boots – but about creating the right set of experiences for customers. We do not offer refunds.
Custom saddles have been found to deliver many experiences for our customers…
Customer Satisfaction – Courteous, professional interaction from design to delivery.
Personal Achievement – Symbol of ‘self.’
Artistry – Expression of one’s personality.
Performance – Skill in your discipline of choice.
Partnership – Comfort and connection with your horse.
Confidence – ‘Can-do’ in the arena; across a pasture; or along the trails.
Paula Kierkegard
Paula Kierkegaard has over 50 years experience in competing, teaching and training and brings a special expertise in teaching proper equitation for all disciplines. She has an extensive background in multiple disciplines including: Instruction at all dressage levels, as well as side saddle, hunter/jumpers/eventing, and western, with specialties in long-lining and work in hand. She has an extensive classical background and competitive national rankings (USDF medals) through GP. Seven of Ms. Kierkegaard’s students have competed at the GP level on horses of their own making collecting medals of their own. She has written articles for the USDF Dressage Manual and assisted in translating Philippe Karl’s recent book, "Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage; A Search for a Classical Alternative". An avid scholar of the horse Ms. Kierkegaard has studied with many instructors throughout the world including Gunnar Anderson, Bengt Ljungquist, Hector Carmona, Karl Mikolka, Herbert Rehbein and Walter Zettl. She authored a number of articles included in the USDF Dressage Trainer manual (now out of print) including “Lungeing the Horse,” “Lungeing the Rider,” and “Sport Psychology and Philosophy". A USDF Certified Instructor since 1990 (retired), USEF “R” dressage Judge for over 39 years (retired), and Western Dressage judge for 5 (retired), she was a successful competitor as well as coach, trainer and clinician throughout the U.S. and the world.
Brian Wee
BIOGRAPHY: Brian Sean Wee, CFP Owner of Next Level Horse Businesses, Business Coach and Certified Financial Planner
It requires a diverse toolbox to help horse business owners become financially successful. Brian is a certified financial planner, registered investment adviser, has a real estate license, mortgage license, and has spent over $150,000 of his own money learning the most advanced marketing practices that are available today to further help his clients. After working with over 600 clients in the horse industry- he has cracked the code on how to make these enterprises dramatically more profitable. This puts him in a unique position for those looking to acquire horse properties- make them financially successful- and build true personal wealth. He also is a lifetime USEF professional and owns a profitable horse business himself- a 60 acre farm that offers boarding and lessons.Founder of "Next Level Horse Business", Brian has committed himself to helping instructors and trainers in the horses industry learn the much needed business skills so many of us find absent as we try to earn a living in the horse world....Find out more about 'Next Level Horse Businesses' and Brian at
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Jen Johnson, CPA
BIOGRAPHY Besides being the founder and CEO of the organization known as NAWD (North American Western Dressage), she specializes in equine industry taxes and accounting.
Learning Styles and Teaching Techniques
BIOGRAPHY Florida State University Faculty TBA
Focus on the importance of understanding both learning and teaching styles. a special interest in teaching riding instructors how to become better, more informed teachers through education in this area. will be presenting new teaching and learning styles that are designed to help you teach todays youth more effectively....
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