To be inspired by greatness....

Alois Podhajsky

Herr Egon Von Neindorff

Melissa Simms

Three Master horsemen that have inspired me, not only for their great achievements in Classical horsemanship but because they have spent their lifetime sharing this knowledge with others.

 Alois Podhajsky (February 24, 1898 - May 23, 1973) was the director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria as well as an Olympic medal-winner in dressage, riding instructor, and writer of some wonderful books that every horseman should have locked away in their library. "My Horses, My Teachers" ,"Complete Training of  Horse and Rider", "The Riding Teacher"  are few of my favorites. His books lead me to believe there must be a better way of training the horse, even before I truly discovered such.

Herr Egon von Neindorff learned the art of riding from his father, and later from Felix Bürkner, Richard Wätjen, Ludwig Zeiner, Otto Lörke and also Alois Podhajsky. Egon von Neindorff founded the first riding school to be established after World War II.  In 1949, he moved his school to Karlsruhe, where he remained until his death in 2004. He was awarded the Bundesverdienstkreuz and the German Rider Cross in Gold. A Master that opened his doors to many and inspired through his generosity of knowledge. If It were not for the open doors of his school of horsemanship, My mentor "Melissa Simms"  would not have been discovered.

Melissa Simms a true disciple of classical horsemanship of which Herr Egon von Neindorff passed down.  She became the head rider of the Egon von Neindorff Institute and she now carries on the tradition, passing down the knowledge of the pure classical teachings. She is a generous teacher giving exacting and thoughtful instruction to her pupils. I am so grateful to have met her and that I have been able to work with Melissa, knowing her over a span of nearly two decades. She has truly changed the course of my life and made my life with horses richer and more fulfilling.