Had a brill lesson at Lanehead Stables with Leonie with my horse Snowfire, Really enjoyed it and can't wait for the next one.
Thanks Leonie. x

A BIG THANK YOU to Leonie, who has helped me achieve a level of riding I’d only dreamed about.

Having been told to give up riding because of a bulging disc in my back, I just couldn’t give up and slowly got back in the saddle last year after a period out of it. I had a wonderful opportunity come my way; a safe Shire x TB, 17 years old, done lots of hacking, XC and hunting. Injured hunting and needed to be brought back into work slowly… perfect for me, as I too needed to take things steady.

As we got fitter I decided to have a go at some dressage, dressage having been my passion. We did okay with lots of support from friends, and continued to improve until March this year; then I got stuck.

I contacted Leonie for help and she has transformed us. I cannot believe that after years of saying that my only regret was having never quite made an Elementary test – guess what… Leonie got us not only to the test, but a decent mark too and 2nd place. Not bad with an old arthritic horse and nackered rider:-)

Leonie has so much confidence in you that she fills you with the belief that you can do it – then you realise that you are doing stuff you didn’t think you could. Whatever your breed of horse or level of riding she gets the best out of both.

I look forward to lots more lessons and would recommend anyone looking to improve their riding and horses’ way of going to get in touch with Leonie too.

Thanks Leonie x

I have been training with Leonie since Feb 2010 during this time she has taken us from prelim to medium level.She had quite a challenge when we turned up at her yard,i had some very bad habits and my horse who is a 16.2 Andalusian had contact issues and a tendancy to panic if asked to do anything new.In the time we have known Leonie we have both been transformed and now get admired whereever we go and we are always in the ribbons.I know its all down to Leonie's talent for teaching and knowing how to get the best out of any horse and rider! I'd like to reccomend Leonie to everyone who wants to learn how to ride correctly and who wants to train their horse in a sympathetic effective way that brings the best out in him.Thanks Leonie you are brilliant xx

Hi Leonie,
I'd like to thank you for the two fantastic lessons I had with you at BD camp Solihull last weekend. I can't agree more with Jaime. I really liked your aproach. My horse can be quite sharp and tense at times and you gave me some really good exercises to work on with him. The difference in his way of going and my riding by the end of the weekend was fantastic. I felt like we really turned a corner. Thank you so much and I look forward to seeing you soon. Kerry.

Hi Leonie,
Had two fantastic lessons with you at Active Rider's BD Camp over in Solihull. My 5 year old 'Uno' by Numero Uno went so well, with some simple adjustments to the way I ride him. You are so quick to pick up issues and offer a solution that really works. I will be organising clinics with you in the NW very soon, as everybody who spent time with you from 'oop North' were extremely keen to obtain further training from you!
Best Wishes,
Jaime (and Uno) x

Just to say a big thanks Leonie, had had two fantastic lessons at Active Rider BD Camp Solihull. Mine was the dark bay gelding Wesley (weltmeyer). You gave me some great advice for keeping that outside rein and I got the best canter work out of him ever! Would love to train with you again.

Just to say a big thanks Leonie, had had two fantastic lessons at Active Rider BD Camp Solihull. Mine was the dark bay gelding Wesley (weltmeyer). You gave me some great advice for keeping that outside rein and I got the best canter work out of him ever! Would love to train with you again.

i would like to say a big thankyou to leonie for my floor plan and music , was our 2nd ever go at it on the weekend and we managed to win with 68% would have had a higher mark in the 70's but my mare broadstone after hours took a disliking to the bottom of the arena so was very spooky! We have now qualified for next years winter music regionals . thanks leonie xxx

I have just watch some videos and have never seen Leonie performaing live, but I was impressed with the true rhythm in walk, the correctness of flying changes and the degree of difficulties in the two dressage to music videos I saw. This is something not often seen these days! Thank you!

During September 2010 I booked four lessons with Leonie over a 6 day period and during this time we worked on an Advanced Medium level test. We used three of the lessons to work on the individual walk, trot and canter elements, and the final one to ride the full test. This programme offered by Leonie was really useful in consolidating the knowledge gained in previous lessons into understanding how to competently ride and link the stages of a full test by thinking ahead and correctly preparing the horse for each consecutive movement – quite a skill on its own! Dressage is relatively new to me and I have never in my life ever ridden a dressage test so this was a real opportunity for me as I don’t currently own a horse.

During the fourth lesson in this programme, we focussed on tips to ‘polish’ the final performance of the test, and I then rode the test in full. Leonie conducted and marked the test as she would when judging a class. She explained what she was looking for, how marks are awarded for the movements, and provided some very useful and constructive comments as part of a final debrief. I learnt loads!

I was really pleased when I achieved a very favourable 73%, and can only say this is due to the high calibre of training provided by Leonie, combined with the opportunity to ride her amazing schoolmaster Absolut. I have been having regular lessons at Daneswood since July 2009 and Leonie is by far the most competent, encouraging and motivational trainer I have ever experienced, and she has really developed my understanding of dressage during this time.

I would absolutely recommend this four lesson ‘dressage test’ programme at Daneswood – it has taken my dressage competence and confidence up another notch and I now look forward to progressing further towards the advanced levels. Leonie tailors this programme to any level so it would suit absolutely anyone. As a final recommendation I would also like to add that I regularly drive a 90 mile round trip for each lesson – and even with the prospect of such a long journey, I really wouldn’t wish to go any where else for training.

Thanks Leonie!

thought i would just write on here to say thank you to leonie for all her support and advice , defo a huge part in me and my mare (broadstone after hours) winning the pet plan area festival @ kingswood ec , and also had a mention in H&H mag , Thankyou again hun , bring on Nationals april 2010 x

I went to leonie for lunge lessons to improve my seat. My horse is much more forward now I learnt to move with him. I have also taken schoolmaster sessions. I am so grateful to ride a horse of that quality and training - he has taught me so much i can take home to my horse.

I also went to a pilates clinic - again it gave me the tools to take home to the horses i was riding. I hope to do another one soon!

I had an amazing lesson with Leonie today! I learnt such a lot in one lesson and Leonie showed me things that my horse can do that I didn't realise! Her teaching methods are really effective and she explains them clearly so I know what I am trying to achieve. I'm looking forward to my next lesson already!

Over the past couple of months I have had a number of lunge lessons with Leonnie. I try to fit one in about every two to three weeks and this has made quite a difference to my riding. I had a lesson on my mare with my team trainer last week. She had not seen us for a couple of months and she was amazed at the improvement in my position and core stability. I would certainly recommend a series of lunge lessons and intend to continue with mine. Kathy

Leonie was so helpful in doing our music for the international para show at Millfield. She did it at very short notice and was brilliant at matching the music to the rider's preference and to the horse too! Everyone loved it! A great result!

Had a fantastic lesson with leonie , my mare improves by the day with her help and advice. Im v.lucky to have her as a trainer and friend. Really looking forward to taking my mare for next lesson and my school master lesson on alfie x

Just back from a fab week at Daneswood Dresage. A most friendly and welcoming yard. Was really impressed with the 5***** care and attention given to all the horses. Will be keeping my eye out for two youngsters in particular - Mika and Messy - who I have no doubt will thrive in the capable hands of Leonie.

Please write a comment in about any aspect of Daneswood Dressage - your feed back is always very welcome!