Elsa teaches and trains in both Centered Riding and Natural Horsemanship to help people achieve their goals in Natural Dressage or whatever discipline they choose to enjoy with their horse.

 

Elsa got her first pony at the age of seven. From then on, it was a constantly evolving journey through Pony Club, trail rides, dressage and jumping lessons.  Elsa's early teenage years led her to focus on her passion for theatre and dance, and let horses take a more secondary role. Only later would she realize how beneficial that study would prove to be, in terms of being aware of the body in space and how it interacts and relates with others.
 

At the age of sixteen Elsa recommitted to the world of horses. An intense study of French Classical Dressage with Dominique Barbier in Northern California was followed by a period of intense study of endurance racing in Southern California. Following that was a period of work-study in Georgia learning Equine Tellington Touch, Equine Awareness method and Centered Riding.

 

Having achieved her level one instructor status for Centered Riding. Elsa returned to San Juan Island and ran a trail riding business for a summer. The following year she moved to Pennsylvania to work and advance her studies at a Three Day Event barn.  She again returned to San Juan Island to teach Centered Riding fulltime.

 

At twenty-five Elsa was drawn into the world of horse psychology and Natural Horsemanship. All sixteen horses Elsa worked with had their shoes pulled and their bridles exchanged for rope halters. Thus began an extraordinary journey of understanding life from the horse’s perspective.

 

The following years saw Elsa pass her Parelli Level Three, perform with her horse at a Parelli tour stop, develop a bridleless polocrosse team with her fellow Parelli students, rehabilitate a Thoroughbred off the track, and adopt a five year old mustang straight off the Nevada range.  She also brought her background in dressage together with her talents in natural horsemanship to offer students a Natural Dressage alternative to traditional dressage instruction.   

 

Elsa’s experiences through the years and various equine disciplines come together in a synergistic whole, giving Elsa a broad platform from which to teach.  She has an enthusiasm for discovering and developing what it takes for both sides of the human/equine partnership to fully enjoy the process of learning and growing towards their goals.