Mr. Ventura's teaching style truly embodies classical dressage. He trains riders in the use of good equitation as a means of sympathetic communication between rider and horse. Although dressage is a sport that requires balance, self-discipline and physical ability, Mr. Ventura believes it should also be an enjoyable experience for both partners. Mr. Ventura's clinics have helped many riders realize more gratification as well as improvement in their own dressage work.

Clinic Date	50% Deposit due by	Final payment due by
April 19th	March 19th	April 5th
May 24th	April 24th	May 10th
June 28th	May 28th	June 14th
July 26th	June 26th	July 14th
September 20th	August 20th	September 6th
October 25th	September 25th	October 11th
November 22nd	October 22nd	November 8th
Clinic is a 45 minute private session
Cost $80.00

Dr. Sherry Ackerman       August 8^th-9^th -10^th 2008

Sherry Ackerman's love of philosophy and art come together in dressage. She rides, teaches and writes about the art, as opposed to the sport, of classical dressage. Dr. Ackerman has positioned dressage in an integrated philosophical context, through focusing on the principles of balance, harmony and lightness. Dr. Ackerman is an advocate of the Classical Tradition, emphasizing correct seat and position; as well as separation, release and moderation of the aids. Her instruction correlates the relationship of rider position and aid implementation with the biomechanical function of the horse's anatomy. She holds an M.A. in Philosophy; M.Ed. in Integral Psychology; M.F.A. in Fine Arts and a Ph.D. in Philosophy. She has studied at Das Reitinstitut Egon von Neindorff in Karlsruhe, Germany; at Los Escuela Equitacao Alcainca in Mafra, Portugal; at Der Hollandsche Manege in The Netherlands, and with the late Henri van Schaik of Cavendish, Vermont.

There is no progress without pain.  One must come to know dressage, not with the mind, but also with the flesh.  Intimate, uninhibited contact between horse and rider is a prerequisite.  The rider must become comfortable expressing unconditional love for her/his horse.  The pain of destroying personal ego cannot be imagined: it is beyond words.  The dressage artists must surrender the very core of her/his own private being, the sense of self"  Sherry Ackerman

August 8th Private session $130.00 includes lunch and auditing of any or all other sessions.

(45 minute session)

August 9th or 10th Group of four riders each session (90 minutes) $110.00 each session includes lunch and auditing of any or all other sessions.

Auditing $25.00 per day if not part of the clinic.

Deposit due by April 1st

No trailier in fee

 Jec Aristotle Ballou 2008

Trainer and author Jec A. Ballou's teaching and training articles have been featured in every major equestrian publication. She has worked with over 20 different breeds of horses and continues to enjoy the day-to-day journey of training-- and learning from-- horses.

For most of her life, Jec has immersed herself in the study of classical training, including seven intensive training residencies in Portugal, two training residencies in Holland, and one training residency in Germany with the late Egon von Neindorff. Additionally, she has studied horse behavior and communication with many masters in this field. Most recently, she traveled to Melbourne, Australia to train with her mentor, Manolo Mendez, original head rider of the Royal School of Equestrian Arts in Spain. Currently, Jec now hosts Manolo Mendez for clinics twice annually in the Santa Cruz area.

Jec's initial passion for the proper gymnastic development of horses arose at age 13, when she became the youngest rider in history to win the coveted Vermont 100 Mile Competitive Trail Ride. She followed that up with three back-to-back national long distance championships. Since then, she has continued to study every aspect of classical training and conditioning with an undying commitment. She has prepared multiple champions for disciplines as varied as endurance, hunt seat, and carriage driving.

Jec has collaborated with reknown trainers for articles in national magazines, including Arthur Kottas, Bettina Drummond, Egon von Neindorff, Charles DeKunffy, Sylvia Loch, and Manolo Mendez. In 2006, she was invited to speak at the Western States Horse Expo, and demonstrated proper biomechanics of a well-moving horse. Her book, 101 Dressage Exercises for Horse and Rider (Storey Publishing), was on the best-seller list for eight consecutive weeks in the spring of 2006.

Currently, Jec specializes in helping horses obtain healthy, optimal movement, regardless of their discipline. She works most often with dressage horses, but also assists a number of FEI endurance riders/horses. Jec collaborates willingly with trainers from various backgrounds and disciplines, believing that more is accomplished for the horse when experts work together.

                                                  Depost 50% due by                       Final Payment due by

March 22nd & 23rd                February 1st                                               March 1st

May 17th & 18th                      April 1st                                                       May 1st

August 16th & 17th                 June 15th                                                   July 15th

Cost Clinic is $85.00 per session

No trailer in fee

Earl is a graduate "A" Pony Clubber, and is still actively involved in the program, teaching at several of the local pony clubs and giving clinics at the pony club summer camps. Earl has competed successfully in Grand Prix Jumpers and through the Advanced level of 3-Day Eventing, and was long listed for the 2000 Olympics. He is an active 3-Day competitor/instructor who has been named a four time leading rider for Area VI (California). Earl was introduced to the Morgan breed by his wife Jennifer, and has won National Championships in Dressage, Working Hunter, Jumpers, Hunter Pleasure and Western Pleasure.