Sebastopol, Sonoma County
Dressage is for the horse.
Tressa Boulden teaches classical dressage as it was handed down to her, through Melissa Simms head rider of the Reitinstitut Egon von Neindorff. Virtual lessons for riders anywhere, as well as Clinics, and seminars. At her home base is in Sonoma County, California, she offers personalized training and instruction to dedicated students.
- Virtual lessons
- Video assessments
- Clinics
- Seminars
- Local lessons
- Intensives
Substance over show
"A rider who understands correct principles of classical horsemanship find harmony in working with their horse. The goal is to help not force."
Tressa has not built her career upon show results. She is a teacher, and her work rests on more than twenty years of study with Melissa Simms, head rider of the Reitinstitut Egon von Neindorff.
I will always be a student first and foremost. I enjoy the study of classical riding and desire to carry on and share this tradition with my students.
Education opportunities
Six ways to learn, wherever you and your horse are.
Most riders begin with a virtual lesson or video assessment. Local Sonoma County riders may schedule a lesson at your place or are welcome to haul into Traditions Farm.
Virtual lessons
Live instruction in your own arena with a phone system, and earbuds. $100 per lesson.
Virtual lessons IIVideo assessments
Film up to thirty minutes, send it to Tressa, and go over her findings by phone. $100.
Video assessments IIIClinics
Riding clinics that meet the horse and rider where they are. Eight rider minimum.
Clinics IVSeminars
Lunging, equitation, contact and connection without force, straightness in the horse, the training scale, among other topics.
Seminars VLocal lessons
Riding lessons, lunge lessons and quadrille in Sonoma County. Haul in, or Tressa travels to you.
Local lessons VIIntensives
Three days to a month at Tressa's private farm, riding your own horse every day.
Intensives
Classical dressage training
Calm Forward Straight Supple
Every lesson starts with the foundation: an independent seat, and hands to be used as a filter, not a balancing mechanism; Rhythm, Relaxation. Suppleness, Connection, straightness and collection when the horse tells us he is ready.
The masters
Knowledge based on tradition.
Tressa met Melissa Simms, head rider of the Reitinstitut Egon von Neindorff, in 1996. She rode countless horses a day assisting Melissa with her training program in California, and hosted clinics for Melissa at her own farm for more than twenty years. Having the opportunity to ride at the Reitinstitut EvN, is one of countless valuable experiences Tressa acquired under her mentor's tutelage.
Egon von Neindorff
Founded his institute in 1949; taught in Karlsruhe until 2004.
Melissa Simms
Head rider of the Reitinstitut. Tressa's mentor for more than 20 years.
Tressa Boulden
Traditions Farm, Sebastopol, teaching riders at the farm and around the world.
Tressa Boulden
A student first, and a teacher because of it.
Horses have been the center of Tressa's life since she was five. Grit and determination forged her path: apprenticeships, riding 10 or more horses a day, and countless hours on the lunge line without stirrups are examples of how opportunity can be disguised as hard work.
Students of Tressa's
Riders who stay for decades say it best.
It's one thing for a teacher to bark commands. It's something entirely different for a trainer to explain the 'how' and 'why' behind each step of proper riding. In this way, she stands apart from any teacher I have previously worked with.
Anne Adair
“I feel like she's in the arena with me even though she's states away.”
Ashley Jantzer, virtual student“When Melissa passed away, Tressa became the keeper of the keys. She continues the classical tradition of the thinking rider.”
Charmaine BrowerContact Tressa
Tell Tressa about your horse.
There is no booking button here on purpose. Tressa likes to talk with a rider before she teaches them, so the first step is a short note about you, your horse and what you would like to work on.
Or email bouldendressage@gmail.com