LG Dressage
Jan Brons
FEI Competitor & Trainer
“Lisa is hardworking and talented and has a wonderful future. A generous,
sensitive and patient rider that has a good feel for the horse”
Scott Hassler
USEF Nat'l Young Horse Coach & FEI Competitor & Trainer
"It is a pleasure to support Lisa with the horses. She implements the ideas from our lessons into her program and I see the progress each time I'm with the horses."
George Williams
Olympic Competitor & Trainer
“Lisa is a joy to work with for she is a quiet and empathetic rider committed to the correct training of her horses. Her unassuming personality belies her dedication to both her students and their horses.”
Janet Richardson-Pearson
Student
Lisa Gruen has been teaching and training at the Chesapeake Dressage Institute since 2008, first as an employee, then advancing to running her own business from the Waters End Farm facility. It has been delightful to see her continually working to improve both her riding and training skills with our roster of excellent clinicians who come to CDI on a regular basis.
She has been the proverbial hidden jewel, reticent to promote herself and her talents. As more and more people become aware of her abilities, her excellent reputation is gaining recognition.
Lisa is a very patient instructor that intuitively modifies her training techniques to her students learning styles. She will work endlessly with a client to help break an old, ingrained bad habit, and teach the correct method to replace it. This particular technique, requiring endless repetition, works better than any other technique I have seen or experienced.
She uses a definite training scale to build on each mastered skill to continue the work towards proper communication and harmony with the horse. Lisa is extremely patient in her training of horses, and her style is not of force but of asking the horse for understanding of her requests. Horses under saddle usually have relaxed swinging tails, and a look of calmness as they work. Any necessary rehab work is done slowly and thoroughly, so that there is no question of putting the horse back to work too early or working them beyond their healing capacity. She is meticulous in the care and concern for the horse, from saddle fit to correct shoeing.
I can honestly say that Lisa is one of the most talented instructors that I have ever had.
Lynn Punturiere
Student
Lisa's patient and positive approach to teaching and riding allows her students and horses to excel with low stress. She is open minded and continues to study and train - keeping her own skills sharp. When Lisa rides my horse, he is always softer and more supple, even after just few minutes. Her focus on the positive aspects of the ride allows other problems to disappear. I thank Lisa for her encouragement and keeping it fun.
Alan & Patricia Hilburg
Students
Both Patricia and I have been in and around horses and horsewomen here, in South America and in Europe for a number of years. Lisa Gruen is in the top 1% of trainers either of us have ever worked with. Patient, knowledgeable (in both the principles and the technique of dressage), clear/transparent, honest and most important, a great sense of humor. Rare to find a trainer who treats you like a person and adults like adults. Lisa’s patience with both horses and riders makes every lesson a fun, growth experience for both the rider and the horse Lisa respects schedules (she understands work responsibilities and punctuality), respects your space, keeps commitments. Most importantly, Lisa understands that our time with the horses is an escape. Extraordinary, but true (and most people reading this will understand why this is important)…there is no theatre at Lisa’s barn. Boarder attitudes are warm, collegial, genuinely friendly and a fun group of people who are welcoming to new boarders and strangers. That is a reflection of who Lisa is as a person, as much as any other factor. If there is an empty stall…grab it (you’ll never look back).
Kim Couch
Student
I am a fearful rider who lacks confidence and, after selling my last horse over seven years ago, have hardly ridden at all primarily because of that fact. I recently started working with Lisa and it is a testament to her kind and encouraging teaching style that I have now ridden four horses I had never ridden before, with no trepidation. Her confidence in me and my abilities come through so clearly that I, in turn, feel confident in my riding and am getting beautiful results because of it, even after such a short time. Though riding on and off for 37 years, and having ridden with numerous trainers, I see possibilities ahead of me with my riding that I never have before.