TESTIMONIALS FROM STUDENTS

 

A riding acquaintance recently asked me what it’s like to have a horse in training. She knew that I have two horses with Lynn at NSTC, so I guess she was really asking about what it’s like to train with Lynn. But I thought back to other trainers I’ve been with, and I had to say that training with Lynn is different (and better) than training has been for me when I’ve trained with other people.

Things that Lynn does:
  • Teach each horse and rider, no matter how humble their beginning point is
  • Help each horse and rider improve
  • Analyze what's going on with each horse and rider
  • Change the analysis when the situation changes
  • Praise every accomplishment (no matter how small)
  • Support each rider's adventure with dressage
  • Stop when the horse or rider has had enough
  • Communicate her own expertise effectively
  • Develop a training schedule for each horse
  • Follow up on each horse's work and progress
  • Expose students to other excellent riders/coaches
  • Show up on time for lessons (believe me, some trainers don't!)
  • Stand by and supports her students at shows (ditto)
  • Manage the barn effectively and efficiently, with the horses' interests as her top concern
 Things that Lynn doesn't do:
  • Belittle horse or rider
  • Say "why can't you do it?" with no further explanation of what to do
  • Spend most of the lesson talking to other people
  • Forget (?) to ride the horse when scheduled to do so
 Lynn is one of the most sensitive-to-animals people I've ever met. My old horse adores her, my young horse loves and respects her, and my dogs throw themselves at her when she visits my house. I trust her completely with my animal treasures.

Her hospitality to me and to all her students is wonderful. I moved to North Carolina from the Boston area in 2002, didn't know a soul except for the people at work. Lynn welcomed me and my horse to her farm, and has made me feel like a new place is home, after a very short time. I will always value my experience at NSTC, Lynn's friendship, and all of the learning she has helped me to do.

- Pat McDaniels

 
"I had stopped riding dressage completely before I called Lynn Leath. I called Lynn because I wanted to find a positive, humane, progressive yet classical instructor who truly honored the horse and could train through the FEI levels. Lynn encompasses all these qualities and more. I had known Lynn for years through horse shows and the general dressage community, and had always considered her an elegant supple methodical rider. I brought my eight year old pasture horse to her three months ago and she has literally transformed both my horse and myself.

Lynn is a very unique instructor. In her lessons, she gives incredible amounts of information from her years of education and experience, but leaves the exploration and discovery up to the rider. She has an amazing talent and intuition to guide riders and their horses toward realistic goals. She is positive and forward thinking, but will not compromise the purity of riding and training dressage correctly. Lynn's horse d'Artagnan is a living example of her incredibly beautiful work. Her talents are invaluable and I feel extremely lucky to have found her after many years of struggling to become a better, happier and healthier rider.

Lynn addresses all aspects of riding from the riders nutrition and fitness to the horses diet and exercise. She is incredibly thorough and pure in her approach to riding and training, and works long hours with her riders to help develop strong flexible effective positions. She is also an artist who wants the rider and horse to work as one in harmony. She has an amazing way of developing these aspects in the dressage horse and rider with enthusiasm, precision, and great patience and knowledge.

My horse and I are currently in full training with Lynn. I take three lunge lessons a week on her school master and I am finally learning how to ride and train my horse. I am thoroughly enjoying my experience and not a day goes by that I am not learning something new and evolving as a rider. I am thankful to Lynn for helping me find my way back to the art of dressage work. I look forward to working with her for many years to come ."

- Suzanne Engler Case

 

"I have chosen NSTC because Lynn teaches the purest form of dressage. There are no short cuts. Her technique is gentle and logical. Lynn has a magical touch with horses. She emphasizes rider's confidence and relaxation and happiness in the horse. Every lesson is a success."

"Lynn is very patient and dedicated to the horse-rider connection and harmony. She makes the art of dressage shine. Her teaching is precise and clear and she is attentive to every detail. When I come out of the lessons with Lynn, I feel I have made a giant step. Diva feels softer, more forward, more energized and above all, she is happy."

"When I started riding with Lynn, my goal for Diva and I was to further our partnership and to dance in harmony. I was frustrated from lessons where I constantly had to deal with stiffness and resistance. At NSTC, I found what I was looking for…a peaceful environment, a beautiful setting in which the art of dressage is emphasized to its purest form with patience and dedication. This has been an exciting experience for both Diva and I."
- Patty Moreland

 
"I will always be grateful to Lynn Leath for introducing me to dressage, and inspiring me with her freestyle. She labored to instill honest, classical basics that I continue to rely and build on. Her attention to detail, again and again, helped her students excel in the show ring and grow as riders in their own right. She provided clinics that kept us all reaching for more, and gave us an insight into national and international dressage. Best of all, we loved our horses, cheered for each other, and had fun! Today, my freestyle business carves its own path, but looking back, I know it would not exist had I not been Lynn's student."
- Marlene Whitaker

 
"I consider it a wonderful opportunity to be able to share my thoughts about my dressage trainer, Lynn Leath. In a word, Lynn brings out the best in me because she is the best! Lynn combines an eye for detail with outstanding expertise, and delivers her message in a supportive and encouraging fashion. I've worked nearly 20 years in the field of communications, and I find Lynn's ability to convey information, vision, and understanding parallel to none. And, if that weren't enough, she has a great sense of humor to boot!"
- Cady Erickson

 
"When I first came to North Star Training Center for a lesson, I was working harder than my horse. Since then, Lynn has taught me dressage basics, how to ride a polished dressage test, and how to ride successful musical freestyles. Now my horses are working harder than me, thanks to Lynn."
- Karen Nanke Rourk

 

"I have had horses in training with Lynn for over two years and have observed her with other students, riding in clinics, training horses, and riding in shows. Lynn is an extraordinary example of athlete, trainer, teacher, and communicator, both with horses and people, seldom seen in any sport. I have worked with several excellent trainers before Lynn, but would find her impossible to replace. She never gives up on people or horses, always has a positive attitude, can always think of a path forward, and never tires of explaining dressage philosophy and biomechanics.

Lynn's training facility is wonderful for both horse and rider. It is spacious and comfortable, with state of the art amenities and relaxed, yet professional, atmosphere. Lynn's careful attention to detail shows in her facility, her horses, and her students and horses."
-Greta Vogler

 


"Lynn has taught me how to ride my horse so that he does the work, not me. He provides the engine and I provide the direction and the fine-tuning. Her style of instruction allows the horse to be the athlete and teaches you to do less in order to get more. This philosophy also helps to forge a bond of trust between horse and rider and encourages the rider to "let go" and not resist the energy. Horses are infinitely more trusting and are easier convince to do this than their riders.

Lynn is very methodical in adding steps to your training program. She doesn't set time frames and allows you to go at your own pace. She makes sure that you understand the progression and doesn't leave any steps out. But, Lynn is also very clear that there is only one right way and she won't let you move forward doing it wrong. Most importantly, Lynn recognizes when you are not ready to learn a new concept and will patiently wait until you are.

Lynn's facility is fantastic and facilitates learning. I look forward to every lesson I have at NSTC and being able to concentrate on the task at hand. And most of all, Lynn makes the learning process fun."
-Donna Christopher

 


Lynn Leath is terrific! As an instructor, her lessons always have a goal. You never leave without learning the day's lesson. As a trainer, Lynn identifies your goals and develops a program to reach them. The program envelopes the entire package of physical fitness, state of mind, rider awareness, balance, and show techniques. Lynn Leath has it all!
-Gail Matheus

 


Lynn is a fun and clear teacher who brings confidence to the horse and rider. Her love and care of horses always comes first. I can never thank Lynn enough for all of the time she has invested in me as a rider and person.
-Patrick Marley

 
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