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| Testimony 9 |

"I just got home from Mr. Bill Sander's 3 day Intensive Program in Baroque Equitation, and I can honestly say it was terrific.  I had virtually no exposure to classical dressage before going to Bill's facility.   I had never been up close to a stallion.  I had never  ridden a gaited horse.  I did not feel confident using a double  bridle. Within the 3 day period, I rode 3 stallions, all with a  double bridle.  I grew to admire the stallions and trust them.  We  did movements such as the measured walk, collected and extended trot,  shoulder-in to renvers to half pass, flying changes, canter  pirouette, and lots of piaffe and passage.  I had one full lesson on  a Paso Fino stallion, who could do all of the classical movements -  but in gait, rather than trot or canter.  I
even long reined a  stallion, learning how to move him forwards with tiny taps near his  tail.  Hard to think that I had been worried about even being near a  stallion, let alone standing directly at his rump and motivating him.  Bill gave me his full and undivided attention for 3 full days. He  stayed with me every stride of every lesson, with great focus and  care.

I also got to watch Bill work with a stallion that had been  abused, and it was fascinating to see how Bill quieted the horse who  began the session with unwanted airs above the ground.  Within an  hour, the two of them were a cooperative team.  Bill has been a  serious horseman nearly all of his life, and a martial arts teacher  as well, and it is quite evident that he blends the two traditions,  creating an artistic focus on beauty melded with power.

Fortunately, Bill's wife Linda provided us with a steady stream of  coffee and Perrier, along with good humor and great warmth.  And I  also was fortunate to be able to watch another excellent trainer,  Sarah Pinney,
work with Bill's 3 year old stallion.

Most importantly, Bill challenged many of the basic habits and  paradigms that I had learned over the years, and I came home with a  mind full of new concepts, as well as terrific memories.  I am very  proud to have
completed Bill's 3 day course, and I would recommend it  to others who reasonably proficient equestrians who wish to explore  the deep and exciting world of classical dressage."

Dr Judith Lipton
Washington State

"After 35+ years of riding experience I thought I was a fairly accomplished rider.  Then .... I found Bill.

Not to discourage the new student, but if you have not experienced a lesson in classical baroque dressage on a well schooled horse, you may have closed a door to your own potential as an equestrian.

After just a few lessons with Bill, I found my own horse responding differently to me.  She was interested, listening, and content.  I had changed.

With a little finesse', quiet body cues, relaxation, and patience, the horse begins to accept the respect it deserves.  You will learn to achieve a desired response with your horse more effortlessly.  It is as if "less is more".  You must try it, you'll feel so euphoric and at peace.  It will inspire you".

Sheri Boteler Curtis
San Diego, CA
June 2, 2007

To prospective students of the Academy of Baroque Equitation

"If you really want to ride in the true classical manner, you have come to the right place.  I am not exaggerating when I say that I have been looking for this school for nearly 30 years.  I have spent countless hours reading the books and listening to clinicians and instructors searching searching vainly for that elusive feeling of lightness and collection.  Everyone talks about it, but no one actually rides that way.  Then I met Bill Sanders and his incomparable horses.  There is truly no substitute for getting excellent instruction on real schoolmasters who have been trained to the classical principles.  Be forewarned, however - you can never go back!  Once you have experienced riding in lightness on these magnificent animals, you will not be satisfied with anything less.  The good news is that the knowledge imparted by Bill's patient instruction will transfer right over to your own horse.  I have been riding at the Academy for nearly five months now and the improvement in my own two horses have been astonishing to me.  It is like finding the key to the secret garden.

I cannot say strongly enough what a privilege it is to have the opportunity to ride horses of this caliber and to get this type of quality instruction.  Bill and Linda Sanders are doing the serious riding community a great service by opening up their school to us.  I will be forever grateful!"

Heidi Bonnard
Riding Student

I began my riding journey thirty-five years ago at the age of twenty-three.  I have rigorously studied the classical Germanic style of dressage since 1998.  Twelve of those years were spent training and competing in Germany.  I read the Masters and attempted to unravel the gordish knot of "more forwards" while holding the horse up in front and spurring and whipping with pounding legs and a driving seat.  Sweat poured from horses and riders on even the coldest Bavarian evenings.  Frustration was my companion.

Since returning to stateside, I have been searching for a lighter way of riding.  In February of 2007, I discovered Mr William Sanders and his Academy of Baroque Equitation.  My philosophy and riding methods have changed forever.  Mr Sanders possess all of the qualities of an excellent instructor.  He is knowledgeable, patient, able to communicate and responsive to his students.  He is sincerely committed to the success of horse and rider.  Learning from Master horsemen and his talented Baroque stallions has been like coming home.

Betty Toussaint
Riding Student

Bill and Lacerote

Thank you so much for the opportunity to experience what riding in balance and lightness is all about!  You have set the standard by which I will now judge instructors and trainers.  I will keep you posted on my progress in working with my horses.  Say hi to Sarah too.  She is a beautiful rider!  Lacerote, thank you for being so patient and tolerant of us fumbling beginners.  A big kiss on the nose to you!  Thanks again.

Faith
Riding Student

Hi Bill and Linda

Thanks so much for the wonderful three days.  I learned much that I can apply to my own horses.  The taste I received for classical horsemanship was so good that now I want more!

Janna Webster
Riding Student

Just wanted to thank you for your generosity with your time and knowledge - it was so much more than I expected and Lacerote deserves thanks too - riding him was a privilege.
 
You gave me a lot to think about and I am hunting down the books on your list - will absolutely put into practice as much as I can with whomever I get to ride until I can get back down there end of July.

Nancy Swyer
Rider from Scotland

Dear William

I absolutely loved my time at The Academy of Baroque Equitation. On arrival I met William Sanders, the Director and my teacher for the next three days.  He then introduced me to the magnificent horses with which we would be working. The lessons began with jaw flexion's and the work in hand, the foundation for the beautifully light form of riding that was practiced in the Baroque era.

At the end of the session William lead this special little horse to the rail. Standing at his shoulder he gently asked him to gather himself, then with a release of energy, he sprang high up in the air and executed a fabulous capriole.  He landed and walked out of the ring as quietly as he had walked in. What a treat!

I was then prepared to go forward to the mounted work. I was given the opportunity to ride true school masters. It was such a lovely experience, the beautiful Lusitano stallions in their ornate tack, the classical music playing in the back ground, and the undivided attention of a gifted and inspiring teacher.  I could imagine I had stepped back in time to when the riding of the baroque horse was truly an art form.

On my last evening there I was to ride Ibis. William expertly guided me into proper position and clearly related the correct aides and there I was riding a perfect passage on an extremely powerful horse, a true Baroque stallion with the heart of a lion who agreed to gently and steadily share with me his vast talent and education.

Thank you William Sanders and thank you to all your Noble Horses.

Jeana Smith
Riding Student

I can't beleive I learned so much in only two lessons, it kind of blew my mind. I really appreciate your time, especially since I wont be coming back for a long time. Aunt Lynn told me about her friend trying to get you to the east coast for a clinic. If you ever do have something like that near by, you can bet to see me there. Lacerote is an amazing horse, and again thank you so much for your time and effort, I really enjoyed it.

When I go trail riding with my friends, the most frequent compliments that I get about my horse are on her remarkable strength and endurance. My friends think that I spend all my time on the trail and that my horse must have had 100's of trail miles put on her to get her into such peak condition. She consistently outperforms other horses that are on the trail with us especially on hills and in arduous conditions such as soft sand.  What they don't know is that I do not have the time to hit the trail that much.  Most of the time, I ride my horse in a gymnasium called the dressage court. It is in this arena that I spend time developing my horse's muscles, sinews, tendons, and bones into an indestructible structure which stands up to the rigors of the trail, and the demands of distance.  Using the principles of Baroque Equitation I learned from William Sanders, and drills and fundamentals of Classical Dressage, my horse is transformed from a low necked, long backed, fragile creature prone to injury into a power house of endurance, agility, and resilience.  Forget riding dressage for ribbons. Train your horse with discipline and structure, and let mother nature be your arena for the only judge who's opinion really matters is the one you're riding.

Robin Shen
Riding Student