Barb brings a life-long love of horses to her position of
dressage instructor and IDA coach for LEC. Although she started out as a youth
showing western, saddle seat, hunters and jumpers, and has been riding for well
over 30 years, her focus now is in dressage.
She considers her education ongoing. Her list of educators
includes Liz Channing, USDF "R”; Joan Harris, BHSII; Pam Lifton, USDF certified
instructor; Jean Luc Cornille, graduate and instructor from Ecole Noir at
Saumur, France; Gabor Fultenyi, USDF "S”; Peter Kjellerup, Danish and German
trained clinician and instructor; Julia Coppard, BHSII; and Richard Williams
(protégé of Charles de Kunffy and he has been schooled by Gyula Dallos and
Arthur Kottas); Charles de Kunffy, FEI C, international clinician and author
(learning equitation, theory, judging and instructor skills from Charles, who
is still her mentor today); Stephan Kiessewetter, Headmaster, Academy in
Warendorf, Germany; Eicke von Veltheim, German master and Olympic medalist; and
George Williams, Olympic team rider and clinician.
Her studies and love of dressage, and horses, are reflected
in her own accomplishments and those of her students. She has Northern Ohio
Dressage Association Championships at Training, Second and Third level and Reserve
Championship at Fourth level, has earned her USDF Bronze and Silver Medals, and
passed USDF ‘L’ judges program with distinction. Her students and their horses
have qualified for and competed in Regional Championships for several years
running. In 2011 she coached the LEC IDA team to a National Championship win.
Her philosophy on riding, teaching, and horses is simple:
"My horses are my friends, students, and teachers,” she explains. "I owe it to
them to become an educated and compassionate rider and trainer to ensure their
comfort and understanding. I just love them for all they bring to my life!”
When she’s not riding, teaching, or judging, Barb works as a
senior research technician at Lubrizol, where she has 28 years of experience,
has earned four patents, and has another pending. She lives with her husband, three
horses, and assorted cats and dogs at their farm in Chardon.
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