Testimonials

Irene has both the wealth of knowledge and patience to instruct riders at all skill levels. As a sometimes timid rider on my own, she has had the wisdom to allow me to ease my way into the saddle by giving me a thorough understanding of the task and challenges at hand. I’ve been around horses for more than half my life, but from Irene’s instruction I felt I developed a real understanding of the tao of horsemanship, both in and out of the saddle. Dressage is, for a lot of riders, a very mysterious and fleeting craft. This is not so for Irene; her instruction is precise, thorough and practically scientific. That said, I’ve never heard her give a harsh word to any horse or rider in my 7 seven years of knowing her. Conversely, she and I are great friends, and her warm and authentic personality Irene shares openly with everyone. A great trainer and beautiful rider!

Megan McFarland, Austin,TX

Even if you think you know the training scale and have been schooled in shoulder-in, Irene can show you riding in a new light. By always focusing on both the “why’s” and “how’s” of the training scale, you will learn to take the movements such as shoulder-in to a new level. Irene teaches you not only what to do, but how, why and when. Along the way, Irene will give you new insights in horsekeeping, ground manners and all aspects of working around horses. For Irene, it is all about the horse.

Lynne Walters, Round Top, TX

I had the pleasure to train with Irene Hill over a couple of years while living in Texas.  I had over 15 years training with British Instruction, but when I started to work with Irene, I felt a Renaissance in learning dressage. It was like the difference between riding a horse, and making a horse dance.  Her strict attention to correctness of gaits, straightness, and throughness of the back was a great challenge to me, but after what felt like a long journey, I finally have developed the feel of how to make it happen.  I have found that this methodology works on every horse I have sat on since working with Irene.  Every horse seems to understand this classic training method, and I have tried to do Irene’s teachings justice using this method on horses in Saskatoon where I operate a breeding and training facility for Canadian Warmblood horses.  I highly recommend Irene Hill to anyone interested in learning dressage where they can make their horses dance, not just perform movements!

Val Sanford, Canada

I do not know where to begin except to say that I was a mess when I found Irene.  My thoroughbred ex-racehorse Foreign Beux had just run me over and had caused me a concussion and a broken collar bone. I had been working with a “trainer” with no professional training credentials (1st red flag) whose methods and judgement were, in retrospect pretty diplorable. I was going no-where with the training, getting very little results.I read Irene’s bio and was impressed with her credentials and her teaching philosophy, the systematic building of the learning process, starting with a foundation and moving step by step, and going at a pace which is not so fast that I get frustrated but fast enough so that I feel that I’ve learned something valuable at every lesson to build on.  It is obvious that every lesson is well thought out and tailored especially for me.  Irene is very professional, focused and firm during the lesson, but fair to the rider as well as the horse.  Her personality is very easy and friendly.          I am now, in just a few months of riding with Irene, getting results I thought were impossible.  I am also much more confident in myself.  My only regret is that I wasted a lot of valuable time before finding this very talented trainer / riding instructor.  I can only imagine where I would be today in competition if I had started training with her sooner.My husband’s highlight of the week is my lesson.  He is amazed at the transformation of a horse we had given up on, and at my accomplishments.  He also LOVES to watch Irene ride and perform her “magic”.I hope you are fortunate enough to have the privilege of working with this very special person.  Allison Sims, San Antonio, TXWhat can I say about Irene’s outstanding coaching and teaching? Let me count the ways…First, Irene taught me that riding dressage in the classical manner involves studying, absorbing, and coming to embody a tradition that is clearly defined, effective, and beautiful, dating back centuries. Second, Irene shows her students how the theoretical informs the practical at every moment and at every level, from daily horse management and ground work through to ridden exercises. Third, Irene is an advocate for horses, insisting upon their well-being and their contented participation in our work. In lessons that begin in the stall, she helps us understand the horse’s mind and body, encouraging us to observe – and be observed – in ways that strengthen our bond with him. Finally, Irene teaches lessons that spill over into all aspects of life: when we ride forward with hope and laughter, leaving the past behind and letting the future come as it may, then we are living, then we are riding. Thank you, Irene, for all that you’ve taught me! It is an honor to call myself your student.Claire Holman Thompson, Charlottesville, VAOur daughter Katherine had been riding a 4 year old Hanoverian mare (Fairyn) in Eventing schooling shows at Beginner and Novice levels. Katherine was having a lot of fun, but not much success. Her inexperience with a young horse and Fairyn’s lack of trust in several areas made for sometimes unpredictable and frustrating rides. We sought advice and instruction from 2 other trainers with little success. With both horse and rider “out of sync”, lack of confidence caused elimination in a stadium jumping competition quickly putting an end to Katherine’s confidence as a rider.

Irene encouraged her to get back to basics, and concentrate on riding dressage for a year. Irene’s training has proved invaluable - both horse and rider have exceeded all of our expectations. Katherine’s first year showing at Training Level has resulted in 2 Reserve Champion places, dozens of first- and second-place ribbons, and sufficient qualifying scores (one was 74!) for a championship show.

Confidence and trust now play a major role in this very special relationship between our daughter and this talented horse. Without Irene’s expertise, this could not have happened. Irene will take these two to new and successful horizons, we feel sure!

Tracy Barr, Blanco, TX

From Hank’s persceptive Irene Moser-Hill is a force to be respected and loved.  It all starts when she steps into the stall.  My work begins then and ends when the ride is over.  I am responsive to Irene’s aids at all times in the stall, grooming and in the warm up.  Since she grooms according to my anatomy I begin relaxing before the ride.   
Thanks to her I am supple and athletic.  My tail goes swish, swish, swish.  By driving from my hind legs my hips move like a runway models. This allows me to rise up off the forehand, as a result, my withers are higher and my chest is broader.  Relaxation and suppling has worked the kinks out of my poll.  Even my hair lays to one side. My balance has so improved I hardly stumbling anymore.  With my sleek shiney coat and new bulky muscles Jalapa and Gayla are very flirtatious at turnout.  When I run down the fence line strutting my stuff they buck, snort and carry on.  I am the hottest guy in the barn. 
I love my work and will miss seeing you,Irene, every morning at the crack of dawn. 

I am so glad Gwen has learned to ride the diagonal of the foot fall.  It is as if she knows how and when I move.  Now, her aides happen at a time I can respond. 

There hae been a few tough times at the Shiloh Ranch.   I was fortunate that you were there for me when I was sick.  Even though Gwen was out of town you took me to the hospital and stayed with me until the surgery.  Your care when I returned home was the best.

Thank you for my life in Texas.  You are in my minds eye,  Rave on Figure “Hank”

 Thank you Irene for introducing to us “the basics” the German way.  I will always remember to ride today for tomorrow, Gwen

Gwen Stoecker and Hank, Raleigh, NC

 Irene teaches her students to think independently – to evaluate their ride from start to finish and ultimately to gauge the progress of the horse.  She trains her students to feel the horse and  to look to the horse for the lesson.  Her philosophy is to guide the student so that they can discover certain fundamentals on their own.  Most important, Irene emphasizes the value of a good ride – it doesn’t have to be at a show or even in the context of a lesson.  This, to me, is true horsemanship.          Sandy Flippo-Hilliard, San Antonio, Texas

About Irene

With a passion for classical training, Irene Moser Hill guides each and every student, from beginner to advanced, in a fundamental understanding of horses and riding. In addition to equitation, classical dressage movements, and a thorough knowledge of the Training Scale, Irene's students learn the physiology of their horse, his gaits, his body language, equine psychology and how every movement of a rider influences her horse, both from the ground and in the saddle. Irene provides truly complete training for the horse and rider. ~ Annie Crawford, Student