Creek Hollow Ranch

CREEK HOLLOW RANCH PRESENTS

PATRICE EDWARDS CLASSICAL DRESSAGE CLINIC

Jan 27-30th 2012

The clinic is open to 10 riders each day.

Rider registration includes lunch on ride days,
one groom auditor pass and lecture.

Rides are $125 per 45 minute session

Auditors are welcome ($25/day, or $40 both days)

ABOUT PATRICE EDWARDS

Patrice Edwards is committed to the classical approach to dressage training, promoting a traditional approach of methods that have been used for centuries yet are still relevant to today’s training. Her equestrian upbringing was diverse in style and influence, having teachers from Portuguese, English & German origin.

Patrice is an early and current life member of the TTT - "Training the Teachers of Tomorrow Trust" in the UK. The TTT is designed with "noblesse oblige" in the forefront and desires to teach others to train correctly in traditional classical style. Trainers for the TTT are presently Charles DeKunffy, Arthur Kottas, Stephen Clarke ("O" judge), Herwig Radnetter & Capt. Mark Phillips. Check out more on the TTT website at: www.ttttrust.com.

Patrice calls upon a wide variety of training influences to reach a personal understanding for each horse and rider partnership, and applies it all with a sense of humor thrown into the mix. The time spent with Patrice offers riders of all levels and disciplines an opportunity to explore classical training principles that focus on the biomechanics of both horse and rider. Emphasis is placed on balance and harmony throughout the training scale.

In these times of harsh and heavy-handed riding, her equestrian lifeblood has been the Trust, which she has been involved with for over 16 years, and whose aims and desires are to train correctly with respect for the art of classical riding where the horse is the center of the art. In her own words, she is "addicted to the dance."

Background

Patrice has trained several riders and their horses to National competition level as well as Young riders from novice to Grand Prix. Those from whom she was taught reads like a list of Who's Who of Elite Dressage Teachers, beginning with Molly Sivewright, whose book, Thinking Riding, is on the USDF's list of required reading for Instructors. Patrice gives Molly the credit for first showing her the qualities needed in a good teacher and the importance of "picking up the horse's mind before anything else." She rode with Molly for several years during the self-described "formative phase" of her riding education, followed closely by the Canadian Olympics Coach, Colonel Gutowski, whom she trained with while attending University in Canada. Having seen Patrice competing and winning as a young rider, in the National show of her home country, Bermuda, Col. Gutowski approached Patrice's parents with an offer to take her on as a teen rider and train her for the 76 Olympics. Due to lack of finances, this was not an option, but training with the Colonel on the side was, and she did. Generally speaking, Patrice credits teachers from France and Portugal for introducing her to riding in lightness and the concept of dancing with our horses.

Prior to an accident which ended her career, she trained two horses to Grand Prix from start to finish and has trained many others from various levels to GP and levels in-between. Her competitive side covered Eventing to the highest levels and Dressage thru GP. In later years, Dressage became her passion almost exclusively, although she still teaches jumping and cross-country as well.

In recent years, the past 15 years, to be exact, Patrice has received instruction regularly, from Arthur Kottas, Charles DeKunffy, Stephen Clarke and Herwig Radnetter, all Internationally acclaimed classical icons. These clinics at the TTT Trust are held every 6 weeks with one or more of the above Teachers leading, as well as other highly respected leaders in the global equestrian community. For example, the TTT were the first people in the UK to bring in Gerd Heuschmann, and hold clinics and demos with him to explain the principles he later vouchsafed in his book Tug of War.

A Letter of Commendation in Behalf of Ms. Patrice Edwards

I have known Ms. Edwards for well over a decade. I was one of the founders of Training Teachers of Tomorrow (TTT) in the United Kingdom and had been one of its chief instructors from its inception.

Ms. Edwards has been consistently attending these courses for well over a decade. She has been observing and participating with questions and conversations, proving to share the TTT’s commitment and ideology to the classical traditions of horsemanship.

Importantly, I had the pleasure to teach and coach at the TTT clinics, courses and seminars some of Ms. Edwards’ students. They manifested results of correct training and guidance. They rode with harmony, with good equitation, allowing them the correct feel for successful riding. These students rode according to classical principles of equitation and were not trapped by modern aberrations or selections from the “tricks of the month.”

Sincerely yours,
Charles de Kunffy

Patrice Edwards’ Student Testimonials

I will never ride the way that I used to since I began riding with Patrice. Nor will I ever view the

interactions between the horse and rider in the same way ever again. I am astounded that what

Patrice teaches is true, fundamental riding knowledge, but the vast majority of riding instructors

are totally oblivious to it. I have been humbled, yet I am now empowered to become a better rider,

by what Patrice has shown me. Since I initiated this journey of knowledge and riding skill, the

harmony I feel with my horse has been incomparable. What had once been a source of riding

frustration has now become satisfaction. I know that I am becoming a better rider: I am more

considerate, more in tune, and more effective than I ever imagined that I could be. I feel that Patrice

sets the standard for true, classical, riding instruction, and I plan to continue riding under her

guidance. What was once a mystery is now crystal clear, and I want to continue learning as much as I can!

Katherine, TX

Rarely is one fortunate enough to find an instructor with an extremely good eye for getting the

rider and the horse to work together as one, and Patrice is one of those uncommon gems. She is

able to find the root of rider/horse problems and help the rider get through the situation in a way

that is positive and encouraging, helping the timid rider to overcome their fears and the overly-

bold rider to learn finesse. Every time Patrice is here for a clinic I make every effort to attend, as I

know that I will come away from the clinic that many more steps closer to achieving my riding

goals. She explains the concepts understandably, and adds just the right touches of humor for

not only excellent lessons, but also memorable ones. Highly recommended!

Teresa, AZ

There comes a time in a “serious” dressage rider’s life when you reach a crossroads, an

awakening. You begin to realize that true, classical dressage begins when you start to learn from

the heart. When you begin to let go of ego and expectations, and you begin to humble yourself to

what your horse can teach you. When you realized that the journey together is what matters

most. When you reach this crossroads, fate works its magic and Patrice Edwards steps into your

life. You’ve never heard of her? It doesn’t surprise me; Patrice lives classical dressage. She is

the essence of it: no song and dance, no flying banners, no long list of “credentials” presented to

entice you to ride with her. Just down to earth, humble, honest to goodness, true classical instruction.

Shelley, OK

As an instructor, always striving to continue my own education, Patrice has been able to guide

me towards being a far better teacher and trainer than I thought possible. With her depth of

knowledge she has shown me how to break information down into manageable and

understandable bites. One of the most satisfying experiences to come out of learning how to

teach from Patrice was having the ability to bring joy back into riding for a new student. She had

suffered from chronic pain while riding for the past two years and thought she’d have to give up

riding. By using techniques learned from Patrice I was able to relieve her pain. She was

astounded and declared that she’d been told previously from other instructors that she needed to

relax – but she said this is the first time someone had been able to demonstrate how! As thrilled

as I was for this event, inwardly, I cringed, knowing full well that I had been one such instructor for

other students in my past. But, never again will I tell a student they need to “just relax.”

Joni, AZ

Creek Hollow Ranch, Equestrian Riding, Boarding, Training & Events.
Sponsors | Links | Site Map | Contact Us
Use of this site signifies compliance with our terms of use, Copyright Creek Hollow Ranch 2009, all rights reserved,
Site by Victor Ciccarelli