Trainer. Breeder. Teacher. Friend.
Robin Garrett has loved horses from a very young age, and began riding at ten years old. At twelve, she got her first horse – an Arab that she eventually trained and showed at Prix St. George. Robin continued to ride while studying at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Upon graduation, she became a working student for internationally acclaimed rider and trainer Tina Konyot. Robin later relocated to California, where she trained for many years with top dressage trainers Laurie Falvo Doyle and Nick Wagman.
In 2000, Robin decided to try her hand at breeding, and has excelled at it ever since. Her boutique breeding farm works hard every year to breed the best mares to the best stallions, producing exceptional warmblood foals. In addition, Robin trains and sells quality dressage horses of a range of breeds.
While she certainly enjoys breeding and selling, Robin’s primary passion has always been training. She is committed to sharing her knowledge and experience with her students, so that they might experience true partnership with their horses. Robin has trained several horses to the FEI level, gaining priceless knowledge along the way. She loves helping students of any experience level improve in and enjoy dressage riding. Robin’s teaching methodology allows her students to face the challenges of dressage with a deeper understanding of what they are doing, but more importantly, why they are doing it.
What Robin’s clients say…
“Robin has been my trainer for nearly 20 years, and I have always admired her talent and skill with horses and appreciated her depth of caring for her clients. Her passion and love for horses show through everything she does.”
“There are many things to like about Robin, but for me, it’s huge that she breeds for excellence and potential at the top of the sport. But if you come to her for help with dressage as part of your journey to good horsemanship, she will help you. It doesn’t matter if you bring your Arabian, your Quarter Horse, or your POA, dressage can benefit any horse partnership, and Robin completely gets that.”
“I am feeling pretty grateful, and very lucky! Buying an unbroken horse is a huge gamble. I think I may have really scored. Thank you, Robin Garrett. If anyone is looking for a dressage trainer, Robin is awesome!””
“I have been riding with Robin Garrett for over 8 years. She has helped progress my riding more than any other trainer I have had over my 20-year dressage career. I think the thing that makes her special is that she can both ride AND teach. I have had trainers who can train young horses and bring horses up the levels but cannot effectively put into words or find exercises that help the horse and rider team achieve their goals. I have also had amazing teachers who can find great exercises for the horse and student and communicate well but when there is a break-down between the horse-rider pair, they cannot get on the horse to find out where the problem is and/or help the horse understand what is trying to be taught. Robin can do both which makes her extremely valuable as a trainer.”
“Robin is the best! She treats each horse and rider as an individual has the patience to figure out what works, and doesn’t work, to help them improve and gain confidence. She’s also great at coaching a rider through mental game of dressage, which as any amateur knows is often harder than the riding itself. ”
“I’ve been riding with Robin for close to 7 years. Her ability to suss out both the horse’s and rider’s strengths and weaknesses, and tailor her training to their needs, is outstanding. She pushes and builds confidence when it’s needed. She is also able to be flexible in her training regimen when we get struck on something. Throughout it all, lessons are productive and fun, and while our improvement isn’t linear, I am aware of forward progress! She is an excellent trainer, and I really enjoy working with her.”
“Robin bred and raised my colt until he was 7 months old. He has had a great start to life. He leads, picks up feet, blankets. He is respectful and very sane under pressure. I would highly recommend her as a source for your next foal.”
“I had the pleasure of training with Robin for an extended period and would still be with her if we hadn’t moved to another state. Robin’s extensive knowledge of Dressage and her unique ability to pass that knowledge along to her students in a consistent and patient manner is truly a rare gift. She takes the time to get to know each horse and rider and tailors her approach. I left my horse in full training with Robin for a few months when I made my move and I trusted her completely to care for him. She’s an amazing trainer, a sincere and trustworthy person and I am blessed to have had the opportunity to train with her.”