Testimonials

A Journey on Horseback

In life sometimes, if you are lucky, you meet people that change your lives. For me that has been Lisa Todd. I love horses - it came to me later in life than most, but yet the passion I have for dressage and horses is endless. However, my journey began in very different circumstances.
A few weeks before Lisa arrived in 2007 I had completely lost my nerve - catastrophic! But then Lisa and Alistair Todd bought Barguse Riding Centre and fortunately for me my journey began. I was completely terrified. I remember that first lesson so vividly - Lisa said to me that her philosophy of teaching was to talk a lot - all I can say is thank God! I don’t think I could breathe far less speak for the first few months! I was terrified of getting on my horse, terrified of really everything. Lisa has over the last three years I can honestly say nurtured me.

There are people who have a natural gift for teaching and Lisa has this in spades! From holding my hand, encouraging me, bullying me which I have needed to seeing me progress to what I believe to be a fairly competent rider. Lisa has and continues to give back double to what you put in. Her teaching is based on the German Scales of Training - the basis for all great dressage riders. Lisa has a wonderful way of adding something into the lesson without you realising it - she knows just when to push you to try something new.
Unwittingly your confidence grows. Her experience and knowledge is unquestionable although I have been known to question her at times! But in all this I have a profound respect and admiration for her horsemanship. I look forward to every lesson with enthusiasm, her generosity of spirit, her patience and perhaps above all her deep understanding of horses.

I would like to add one further thought to this journey and that is Michael Beining. In the past he had trained Lisa and she hoped that one day he would come to Cornwall and continue to train her. He did and I tentatively mentioned would he consider teaching me - a mere novice? Lisa said he would and for me this has been both a privilege and a joy. So thank you Lisa and Michael.

Ruth Allison

My Sophie

My daughter Sophie started having lessons with Lisa Todd in 2008 as a very novice rider with a strong ambition to learn. Within weeks of tuition from Lisa she completely changed my daughter’s way of riding.

Her extensive knowledge of the German Training Methods, the importance of a secure seat and her insistence on following the German Scales of Training makes her a unique trainer in Cornwall, one of whom we admire vastly and also now regard as a dear trusted friend.

Sophie has gone from strength to strength under Lisa’s supervision gaining dressage scores of up to 80% with judges all commenting how correct and effective her riding is and what a pleasure she is to watch. This we solely owe to Lisa’s fantastic method of training Sophie.

Lisa runs clinics throughout the year with Michael Beining, German coach and world class dressage trainer whom with his watchful eye she works along side to guide riders young and old through the German Scales of Training. She has revolutionised the way Sophie rides and through her professional yet approachable manner we have watched our daughter improve beyond recognition.

The facilities at Barguse Riding Centre are excellent and we have always felt welcome. I feel very fortunate to have found Lisa and realise how lucky we are to have someone with her knowledge and experience in her top class facilities on our doorstep.

Many thanks Lisa.

Lisa Guy
(Sophie’s mum!)