For 26 years, Lynn Leath has been the owner and head trainer of North Star Training Center. Lynn is a USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medalist. A former event rider, Lynn now focuses exclusively on dressage. She has worked with Jessica Ransehousen since 1980, and has also had the privilege to work with trainers such as Jaap Pott, Walter Zettl, and Betsy Steiner. Jessica helped Lynn to establish the foundation of her training, and instilled in her the classical philosophy that there are no shortcuts...the work must be built upon correct fundamentals...regardless of the level we are working on.
Jessica helped Lynn to establish the foundation of her training, and instilled in her the classical philosophy that there are no shortcuts...the work must be built upon correct fundamentals...regardless of the level.
In 2001, Lynn also began working with Cathy Morelli, whose training system has added an indispensable depth to her riding and teaching. "The System" taught her how to:
Building on the lessons she learned, Lynn has trained and successfully competed several horses up the levels. Following are just a few of those horses...
d’Artagnan, a Hanoverian gelding, found Lynn in the spring of 2004, when he was a green broke five-year old. Together, they have embarked on what has turned out to be a very successful training and showing career. Lynn & d’Artagnan are currently working towards Grand Prix. Here are some highlights from past years...
2005: At the CDI***Raleigh, d'Artagnan won all three of his Second level classes and helped earn Lynn the Trainer's Award.
CLICK HERE to see where Lynn & d’Artagnan will be showing next.
Stripteeze Artist is a homebred mare who Lynn started under tack as a three-year old and trained to Grand Prix, earning her USDF Gold Medal. "Stripper" was the USDF Region I Champion at Prix St. Georges, reserve Champion at Intermediaire I, and NCDCTA GRAND PRIX Horse of the Year in 2004.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Lynn and Stripper’s struggle to the top.
Polar was the equine schoolmaster who helped educate Lynn, and with whom she performed her first Grand Prix freestyle.
Lynn has since enjoyed performing freestyles at the USDF and FEI levels on several of her horses, including Stripper, with whom she rode 4th level and Intermediaire 1 freestyles.
LYNN’S TRAINING PROGRAM
Lynn has created a complete training program that extends beyond the arena to encompass all aspects of horse management, including veterinary care, farrier care, dental care, nutritional care, individual turnout, equine massage and chiropractic care. She incorporates strength conditioning as well as ring work, and pays particular attention to footing, inside and outside the arena. Lynn relies on a team of specialists in each of these areas, and tailors her regimen to each horse’s individual needs. CLICK HERE to meet the lead vet on Lynn’s team, Dr.Bob Grisel.
With respect to teaching and training, Lynn also strives to tailor her program to the unique needs of each horse and rider. Lynn’s students include professionals, adult amateurs, and young riders. Horses and riders range from green to Grand Prix. Some trailer in for weekly lessons, others are in full training at NSTC. She rides some horses occasionally and others regularly; balancing the horse’s training requirements with those of the rider - from lunge lessons to show ring warm-up.
Since Lynn did not begin riding until she was in her 20’s, she has the unique ability to understand and empathize with the adult rider who is struggling to learn the demanding art of dressage. Lynn has coached many students to national titles and their own USDF bronze, silver and gold medals. Thanks to the success of her hard-working and dedicated students, Lynn was awarded the TRAINER'S AWARD at the Raleigh CDI*** in 2002, 2004, and 2005, and at Dressage in the Sandhills in 2008. CLICK HERE to read what Lynn's students have to say about her teaching and training. CLICK HERE to read an article about Lynn's teaching that appeared in the November '08 issue of Dressage Today.
Although Lynn is an accomplished trainer and competitor, she remains a student of dressage: her thirst for knowledge is boundless. She attends symposiums with international dressage competitors such as Jan Brink (pictured with Lynn at left, February ’08 USDF Trainers’ Symposium), Steffen Peters (October ’08 NCDCTA - sponsored event), and Henk Van Bergen (2009 USDF FEI Level Trainer's Conference). Additionally, she regularly hosts clinics at NSTC with Jessica Ransehousen and Cathy Morelli. Lynn encourages her students to audit and ride in these clinics and to learn as much as they can from these expert trainers.
CLICK HERE to read the article, "Insights from an Olympian," which appeared in the July '08 issue of Dressage Today.