Testimonials
With her extensive FEI experience coupled with a lifelong love of horses, Colleen Hoekstra Knox has the ability of a great instructor to quickly pinpoint the root of the training/rider miscommunication and build a seamless progression of exercises to allow the horse and rider to effortlessly obtain often dramatic positive change. By addressing the effective timing, delivery, intensity, consistency and tempo of aiding and rewarding, harmony and communication between horse and rider quickly improves. Colleen opens the door to understanding the intricate nuances of dressage, which immediately benefits the harmony between horse and rider whether Intro level or Grand Prix. Colleen is one of my “secret weapons” in my dressage arsenal! - Lynn V, FEI competitor and trainer
Colleen has increased my confidence significantly, to the point I am back out competing on a regular bases. As a result of this we now win at Novice level with 70%. Also with the hard work from Colleen we qualified for Sunshine tour at Hickstead, and came 3rd !!
I can’t recommend Colleen enough as a teacher, I love my lessons and can't until the next one. You leave each lesson feeling that you have achieved something. Colleen's positive attitude makes the lessons so enjoyable, I can’t believe how much my riding has improved and the changes to my horse in such a short space of time. Thank you!! - Hayley
I have been training with Colleen for over a year now and I have never had such an empathetic, talented and supportive trainer in all my years of riding......A natural horsewoman. I fall in love with our sport even more every time I have a lesson or just watch her ride...amazing and motivational, I can't recommend her highly enough! - Kate
I have been riding since I was 5 but was entirely self taught until recently. I bought my horse, Champ, and have been having lessons with Colleen frequently ever since. When we started, Champ was green and lacked strength but now as he rises 7 the change is remarkable. He carries himself in an outline and is starting to learn new training techniques. We were even placed 3rd in our 1st one day event!
I would highly recommend Colleen, as so much of our progress is attributable to her. My lessons with her are always enjoyable and interactive. Colleen has a very natural way of explaining her teachings and is a natural horse person, gifted with even the most spirited of horses. - Mary
Colleen is phenomenal. I’ve been training with her for a couple of years now and just love her. She is the best teacher I have had to date.
I have had my horse since he was a foal and trained him up the grades. We’ve competed internationally at young rider level, and also competed to Grand Prix. He’s 20 years old now, so we’ve worked with many different trainers over the years. So when I say that Colleen is the best trainer I’ve had to date, that’s no small commendation!
Her understanding of how the horse carries itself correctly and uses each muscle to carry out different movements, is incredible. She always finds a way to make you understand how the horse is working beneath you, so that you know exactly what effect your aids are having and how they will impact the horse.
Colleen always finds unique exercises to allow each individual horse to maximise its performance in the least pressured way. She never pushes a horse. She trains in an intelligent, patient and compassionate way, getting your horse to work brilliantly, but still softly and correctly without pressure and resulting injury (which I have had with other trainers). I see big results with Colleen each and every time we train together. I really cannot rate her enough. She’s been a real game changer. - Louise
I partake in every possible training opportunity with Colleen. Her ability to get to the root of core training dogmas is par excellence! Kind, but with high expectation, Colleen gets results without overtaxing the horse and rider.
- Gail M, USA dressage trainer and judge
Happy (but exhausted!) campers today. Fantastic lessons with Colleen Hoekstra Knox Dressage.
Can't wait for the next one (may have to wait a little for my core muscles to recover 😂) So much learned and to move forward with already. - Liz
It's so nice to see an instructor who actually instills confidence in her students! -Joanne
Thank you too all my Dressage buddies today for your company, positive encouragement and support! And not to forget Colleen Hoekstra Knox for pushing me! Brilliant morning, definitely our best test yet despite not getting our medium trot or our Qualifier but we did nail our walk to Canter! 😆Lots of work to do but feeling super motivated ❤️💪🏼 - Kirsten via FB
Great training sesh today with Colleen Hoekstra Knox. Really pleased with our progress from just one week ago. Next lesson is on Monday again so no rest day tomorrow. But good to see that the homework is paying off and a noticeable difference was seen. A very positive and inspiring morning with my team buddy.
- Jessica to Leg Up For Talent