Your horse hollows his back the moment you ask for collection. The transitions feel stiff and your scores keep stalling at the same level. Full Cry Farm Dressage handles instruction from Training Level through FEI in Stonelick, OH.
Why You Can Trust Us
You'll recognize the training plateau when your horse starts anticipating your aids or getting tight in transitions. This happens most often when riders have learned the movements but haven't developed the underlying connection and balance. Your horse may go through the motions but lacks the genuine engagement that judges are looking for at every level.
Right now you're probably stuck repeating the same patterns without making real progress. Your horse feels heavy in your hands or comes behind the bit when you ask for collection. Other trainers might focus on the symptoms instead of fixing the root cause, leaving you frustrated and your horse confused about what you actually want.
Full Cry Farm Dressage starts with your seat and works systematically through the training scale. Leslie rebuilds your foundation even if you're competing at upper levels, because gaps in the basics show up as resistance later. She teaches you to develop your horse's natural movement instead of forcing a frame. Each lesson builds on classical principles that create willing partnership rather than mechanical obedience.
Your horse will start offering the movement instead of waiting for you to make it happen. You'll feel the difference when he lifts his back and steps under himself because he wants to, not because he has to. The connection becomes elastic and alive, and your test scores will reflect the genuine harmony you've built together.
Our process
- 1Assess your current partnershipLeslie watches you ride to identify exactly where the training gaps are happening.
- 2Work through the basics systematicallyShe rebuilds your foundation from the ground up, even if you're riding at higher levels.
- 3Develop your independent seatLeslie teaches you to sit correctly so your horse can move freely underneath you.
- 4Build collection through proper engagementShe shows you how to ask for power from behind without creating tension in front.
- 5Practice test movements with purposeLeslie breaks down each movement so you understand the why behind every aid.
Why Choose Us
- USDF Gold, Silver and Bronze medalist with 50+ years experience
- Individual training programs tailored to your current level
- Classical dressage methods that work from Training Level to Grand Prix
- Boarding available for serious students
- Proven track record developing FEI-level partnerships
Every time you ask for more engagement, your horse gets tense and resistant. The judges keep writing the same comments about connection and rhythm. You know there's something fundamental missing but can't figure out what it is.
Our team
USDF Gold, Silver and Bronze medalist with over 50 years professional teaching experience. She has trained and successfully competed 5 horses to the Grand Prix level and enjoys working with all levels of riders, particularly those new to dressage.
Frequently asked questions
What levels of dressage instruction do you offer?
We provide individualized instruction from Training Level through FEI. Leslie works with riders at all stages, including those competing at upper levels, and focuses on rebuilding foundational principles that support progress at every level.
Do you offer both private and semi-private lessons?
Yes, we offer private and semi-private lessons for riders at all stages of their journey. Our instruction focuses on classical principles that create effective, harmonious, and correct riding.
What's included in your dressage instruction?
Our lessons start with your seat and work systematically through the training scale to address the root cause of training plateaus. We teach you to develop your horse's natural movement using classical principles that build willing partnership rather than mechanical obedience.