"Every rider and every horse are unique; they deserve to be the very best they can be." Diane Followell
Authentic classical dressage with one of the most respected trainers in the UK. With structured, horse-led instruction and detailed feedback
A Complete and Personal
Training Programme for
You and Your Horse
Well, ARE YOU?
Diane will provide you with the understanding and confidence to ride independently at home.
Sharing her extensive knowledge, experience and using great skill and patience, Diane will enable you and your horse to achieve your very best.
An authentic and highly regarded classical dressage trainer, Diane's unique background, her experience and definitive training provides a link to the great Classical Masters of the past.
Training with Diane builds a relationship of
trust and understanding between you and your horse so that the time you are together fun
enabling so the time you spend together is
you to create quality time for you both.
Testimonials
I have been riding for over 30 years in various disciplines and have hadnumerous instructors over that period. I can say without hesitation that Diane is the best instructor I have ever had the pleasure to work with.
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!
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
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...
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.
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.
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.
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!
I get something new from every lesson, every time.So glad I have found Diane.
Training with Diane has been a revelation.
It has been a wonderful journey and I know I have learnt more about riding in these 3 years than I thought possible.
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.
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’.
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.
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.
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
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. .
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.
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.
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.
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.
Online Training
In these unprecedented times 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 need or you may just enjoy reading and expanding your knowledge. In an effort to further help and support riders and their horses I shall also be offering Online Training. For further information please click here.
DIANE FOLLOWELL
Classical Dressage Trainer
"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.
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.