Some Thoughts on the Paris Olympic Dressage

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A View on the First Day of Olympic Dressage Competition

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Statement on the Situation Regarding Charlotte Dujardin 

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"Every rider and every horse are unique;
​they deserve to be the very best they can be." 
Diane Followell 

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Training You to Progress Your Horse 

 Authentic classical dressage training with one of the most respected trainers in the UK. With structured, horse-led instruction and detailed feedback to help you progress towards a deeper relationship with your horse​

A Complete and Personalised ​Training Programme
for ​You and Your Horse 

​​Progress

​Structured training
in a calming environment
that allows you to ride independently at home.
​With email support
and personalised lesson notes
to help you progress
​between lessons
​ ​

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Education

​​Hugely experienced
Diane will share all her extensive
knowledge and wisdom
with great skill and patience
to enable you
and your horse
​ to achieve the very best
​that you are capable of​

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Experience​

​More and more riders are realising the true value of classical dressage training for them and for their horse. 
Searching for ​a truly authentic trainer, ​Diane's unique experience provides a link to the great classical trainers of the past ​

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Mindfulness

​
​"You and your horse deserve to be the very best that you can be"
​
Training that creates a relationship of
trust and understanding 
between you, your horse​ and Diane​​​​​

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What People Say

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A collection of testimonials from the clients I have had the pleasure of working with

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I have been riding for over 30 years in various disciplines and have had
numerous instructors over that period. I can say without hesitation that Diane is the best instructor I have ever had the pleasure to work with.

Mandy Baker 

France

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I have been training with Diane for over a year now, and the change in Tigo has been quite astounding....  I cannot thank Diane enough for the help and inspiration she has given me. I was on the verge of giving up!

Debra Fews (Clinical Fellow, University of Bristol Veterinary School)

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Diane will teach you to communicate with your horse in the most gentle and subtle way you can, building a partnership based on trust, not fear or dominance

Charlotte Pickett 

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She (Diane) has never cajoled me or belittled me, just kindly encouraged,  patiently explained, educated and empowered. Her instructions are perfect, her eye for minute adjustment is spot on and I have learned masses... ​

 Dee Johnson 

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To say that Diane is an excellent riding instructor is true but totally inadequate.... What makes her extraordinary as a teacher is that she deals with each pupil, horse or rider, with equal patience and dedication, no matter what their level of competence.... We have seen our horses and riders improve in a methodical and steadfast manner..... We are able to ride and compete among the best in our country with total confidence.

Beeya Vorha

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I searched long and hard to find the ‘right’ trainer for me. Diane absolutely 100% fitted the bill. She puts the dignity of the horse above all else and she nurtures her students. 

Elaine Coxon
ST Instructor

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I have worked with many different trainers over the years and in my view Diane's teaching comes closest to truly classical principles - no stress, no force, no quick fixes.
I have trained with Diane for about 4 years and my mare is now calm, confident and physically strong, but still light and sensitive.​

Sally Utton 

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I can't recommend Diane highly enough as  a teacher. Under her guidance my riding has transformed and at last I can feel my horse. Diane, unlike most teachers I had gone to, from the very beginning concentrated on me and my position, balance and aids....She has always been very encouraging and calm - even when I have cried tears of frustration!

Victoria Blair 

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 I get something new from every lesson, every time.So glad I have found Diane.

Carol Kosy 

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Training with Diane has been a revelation. 

Yvette De Garis

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  It has been a wonderful journey and I know I have learnt more about riding in these 3 years than I thought possible. 

Jane Blake

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Diane is a sensitive and insightful trainer. Not only does she assess the abilities of horse and rider, she also pays great attention to the relationship between the two..... You leave each lesson feeling that you have achieved something. Whether a small gap in your understanding has been filled, or there has been a huge leap in the development of your relationship with your horse.

Georgina Timmis 

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I feel I have begun to develop an understanding of ‘dressage’ in that I have started to understand what it means to work with a horse rather than ‘get him to do something’. 

Anna Moore 

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​ I learnt so much from you and it was a real joy to hear your descriptions of training, containing so much empathy for the happiness, health and well being of the horse...... I sincerely found them to be the most enlightening and reassuring conversations about training that I have ever had.

Rosie McKimmie 

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 Diane's quiet, calm approach to training avoids tension or fear in the horse and with her in depth knowledge she always finds an exercise to help. Your horse really starts to trust you and wants to work with you and it is her correct and sympathetic training that gives the horse the confidence to do so. 

Brenda Roots 

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Diane has, from a lifetime with horses gained a vast experience which has been enhanced by a privileged time working with 'Nuno Oliveira'. This knowledge is compounded with her lovely demeanor around both horses and people, her relaxed approach helps the rider to develop a bond with their horse, encouraging them to understand how the horse thinks, responds and moves, enabling both to work in concert. Diane has a passion to help improve people's riding skills and is more than willing to impart her knowledge for the good and benefit of both horse and rider.
Thank you Diane, keep going and never get old. 

 Edward and Helen Crossley 

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Following your advice, yesterday on my hack with Herbie I again micro-focused upon his straightness issue throughout the ride and realised that he falls through his (usually right) shoulder just before any slight defiance or wilfulness.  By keeping strict tabs on this matter, he carried himself more consistently better than usual so as ever I have concluded it is all down to jockey error!!  I have always thought of him as a snakey little fellow to ride so now I am preventing all that subtle writhing around and I can really feel the difference in his paces. .    

Heather Robson 

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I just received these photos of Bubbles with Iona at the PC Championships. It struck me just how much balance, harmony and joy these pictures reflect. Something fundamental has changed in those two since you started teaching them.... We are so very blessed to have found you. There is a long way to go for Iona, but it's a way that brings joy and makes total sense to her (and Bubbles!). Iona calls you a fairy with magical superpowers. It's classical or nothing from now on as far as she's concerned. 

Sascha Stokes

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It is my plea, to all involved with horses to question and seek. Diane has the understanding, the sensitivity and above all, the ability to convey this message to the rider and the horse. ​

Eva Gaeremynck
Equine Osteopath​

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His (QQ's) body and his mind have completely transformed through Diane’s gentle yet considered work. Her sensitivity and her ability to notice the small details of what the      horse needs in the moment are second to none. I cannot recommend her lessons enough.
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Catherine McCrum
Feldenkrais practitioner 
Clinical Gestalt Psychotherapist

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Diane is a true and rare gem in the almost lost world of truly classical dressage....I am truly grateful for every lesson and for everything Billy and I have learned along the way. 

Kate Lockey

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Rudi, Daisy and I are so lucky and privileged to work with Diane who has a genuine love and respect for the horse.​ Her ability to interpret the situation, depth of knowledge and aptitude appear to have no bounds. She quietly asks questions of both horse and rider, working within their limits while pushing the boundaries. 

Jane Evans

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Read Testimonials in Full

For Case Studies Please Click Here  ​

On occasions it can be difficult to maintain your training.
​I have written extensively over the years on my  Blog Page and on my Twitter and Facebook ​sites and this may give you the extra guidance you may need or you may just enjoy reading and expanding your knowledge. 
​For further information ​​please click here ​

"To ride is not to use force but to position your ​horse so that he wants to do the movement with you” 
​Diane Followell

​​My approach to classical dressage training owes much to the years I studied with Nuno Oliveira in the early 1980's. Regular tuition from him, more than five thousand hours, and the opportunity to observe him schooling his own horses gave me a unique insight into the subtle methods he used to such powerful effect.
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Now, I pass on this knowledge and experience and work systematically with my clients to establish a deep, enduring bond between horse and rider. ​When needed, I take them right back to basics, as I know from long experience that the smallest ​adjustments in technique can make ​a huge difference in performance.
​

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Diane in training with Maestre  Nuno Oliveira

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