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 What
Tranquillity Dressage is All About...
Tranquillity is defined as "A peaceful state: a
state of peace and calm"
(14th century. Via Old French tranquillité from
Latin tranquillitas “quietness,” from,
ultimately, quies “quiet”)
With this in mind, it is
my goal to provide each of my clients with classical dressage training with
kindness, compassion, and respect... achieving lasting results for both horse
and rider. I don't believe in using "tricks" or "gadgets". Instead, I believe in
taking the time to build a solid and correct foundation, which I believe
is the cornerstone of all training, no matter what your goal level may be. If
you've been disappointed by trainers who advertise as "classical", only to find
that their methods are not classical at all, then you've come to the right
place. I believe that the only correct and lasting training is attained through
the use of correct and effective aids, riding from the haunches forward through
the bridging of the back to a soft and relaxed neck and poll. Only when this is
achieved, does dressage become beautiful, harmonious, and soulful.
To help create this, I customize my training program to suit the individual
needs of each client... each working at their own pace until each step of the
training pyramid is understood and successfully demonstrated by horse and rider.
I am patient and supportive, yet I keep a strict adherence to classical methods
and my strong ethics. If you are serious about learning dressage, and really
want to do it the way it was intended to be, then I am just as serious about
working with you, and will do my very best to help you along on your journey.
I also am a strong proponent of cross-training, and allow the horses in my care
to enjoy a variety of work, including some cardiovascular work consisting of
long trots or gallops, low level jumping, cavaletti work, and trail riding. I
believe in creating happy horses that enjoy their day's activities, and also
horses that can be ridden by their owners in a variety of environments and
activities.
I am also respectful of my
clients' time and money, thus I am virtually always on-time, and I will never be
found distracted (on the cell phone or otherwise) during any training session.
Dressage is not only my job, but it is my passion, and I take my job, and the
goals of my clients very seriously. I am committed to providing the best service
possible, while keeping things challenging yet enjoyable for both horse and
rider.
Who is Tranquillity Dressage?
Tranquillity Dressage is me, Tracey Winter, along
with my faithful sidekick, Tucker (see photo at right). I was born in 1966, and
have been riding since the age of five. I spent my youth riding western and
huntseat. In my teens, I showed hunters and jumpers, did some eventing, and was
introduced to dressage. By the time I was 17, what started as a training
"requirement" from my instructor, turned into a passion. Today, I still find
myself excited about dressage, and the connection that really good dressage
allows to happen between these beautiful creatures and us.
I am a USDF Gold, Silver and
Bronze Medalist, and a recipient of numerous awards, both local and national.
You can find a summary of these on my Awards page. I am
also a Board Member of Gold Coast Dressage Association (250+ members) as the 2nd
Vice President.
I take great pride in my
horse, Martailo (photo at top of page), a Trakehner that I raised and trained
from a five month old weanling through the Grand Prix level, all of which can be
performed in the snaffle (or even bareback with a hackamore). He was trained by
me, using only classical methods, without ever wearing any type of gadget
whatsoever. I also have a younger horse, Windsor, who I acquired in late 2006,
and I am looking forward to sharing his journey through the levels. His
achievements are also listed on my Awards page.
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