A few years ago my neighbor asked if I wanted to have a lesson on her dressage horse with her trainer. I was very new to dressage and thought sure why not? I had no idea that day that my adult riding career was about to change forever. After that lesson I continued to train with Blaire and entered my first recognized dressage show a month later. That show I received two scores towards my Bronze Medal, which I had no idea what that even meant however it was the catalyst for our first journey together.

Fast forward 11 months…With Blaire by my side, I earned my USDF Bronze Medal and a score towards Silver. My final comment from the judge that day was “you are so small you cannot “reach” the horse. Which was true, I am very small and looked like a short stirrup child on my neighbor's horse. Just goes to show what a good trainer can do! 

For our next adventure, she helped me bring along a very cute but difficult to ride, cart pony straight from the Amish farm. The first year I started to show him he was scoring very well and we qualified for United States Dressage Finals in training level. She hopped on a plane and was there for me every step of the way. 

Next adventure.. On the pony, we qualified for Regionals and then on to Finals again, but this time for first level freestyle. I had never ridden a freestyle before and had no idea what I was doing, but Blaire showed me the ropes. Remember I was new to dressage when Blaire started working with me.

Next adventure..In late April of this year we pulled my 21-year-old Quarter Horse Paint out of retirement. He was never a dressage horse in the past but we tried our hand at it this year. His show season started in June, we qualified and showed at Regionals. This year ended with my paint receiving Reserve champion All Breeds Award in open and adult amateur. This is not me bragging, this is me showing what Blaire can actually do with a rider who is committed. None of these horses are traditional dressage horses, but Blaire did not let that stop her in helping me achieve all of this.

There is so much more to say but I will leave you with this thought. Blaire took a person who was not interested in dressage and turned them into a person that could achieve all of the lofty goals that we set. I'm forever grateful for her. She absolutely changed what I thought I had in mind as my adult riding career. Never in a million years did I think that I would be competing at this level, especially in dressage. 

Working with Blaire Martindale has completely changed my riding. She has this incredible talent for figuring out how to teach each rider in a way that makes sense for them. She knows how to push you to chase your goals while staying focused on the biomechanics of both horse and rider. She’s also amazing at helping you learn how to ride each horse correctly and classically, no matter how different they are.

Before I started training with Blaire, I wasn’t being pushed to my full potential. Past coaches didn’t seem to really see what I was capable of, and I felt stuck. She has taken me with brand new, difficult horses time and time again from never having competed, to showing successfully regardless of their quirks.

In less than a year, she recently took myself and a horse that had never once competed in dressage, to Regionals at Level 2 with an amazing score in a massive class.

She also reminded me of the professional rider I used to be, and this is key—before kids, before a life-changing car accident, before I let fear of getting hurt take over. She showed me that I still have the ability, talent, and integrity to ride at any level I desire if I commit myself to it.

What makes Blaire stand out is her communication and planning. She really gets inside your head in the best way, helping you stay motivated but also realistic. I’ll never forget the time I was struggling with cervical neuropathy and couldn’t feel my right hand or hip. Instead of letting me spiral into frustration, she helped me develop new skills and tools so I could keep my feel and keep making progress.

She’s not just a coach—she’s become a mentor I completely trust to have my best interest in mind. She’s helped me work through so many mental blocks, rebuild my confidence, and overcome the fear and trauma from past accidents and difficult horses.

If you’re serious about reaching your goals, you need to work with Blaire. She’s brilliant, inspiring, and always all in for her students. I’m so thankful for her guidance, not just in my riding but in life, too.

“ Blaire has really helped in me in every aspect of my life - in and out of the saddle. She is patient and can break concepts down into very easy to understand terms. She has been a tremendous help with my young horse in unlocking his potential and driving me to find the best parts of myself as an owner and rider.

She will push you to improve every stride, but it is always with the understanding that everything is at your pace and comfort level for you and your horse, and she remind you that even the small victories are worth celebrating.

Working with her has made me remember that riding an be both challenging and fun at the same time, and that personal achievements are more valuable than any ribbon or prize, though she will definitely set you on the right path to success at any level. “

“Blaire has helped both my riding and the development of my young horse immensely. She is patient, caters to each individual horse and rider, and is endlessly knowledgeable. She makes the most of every minute of teaching.but keeps it all so fun. She has a great talent for making things simple for the young ones, and never pushing too hard. I’ve learned more abut flatwork from my lessons with her than any other trainer, and she’s a huge part of both mine and my horses’ success.”

“Blaire is the best trainer and teacher I have ridden with. For 27 years I have been involved with dressage. I have ridden and cliniced with many trainers. Blaire has been the most supportive of me and my horse. I recently did my centurion ride. When I received my last score for my bronze she was so happy for me. I would high recommend her for young and old riders.”

“Blaire has been instrumental in helping bring along my young event horse. I was scoring in the mid to upper 30’s in the dressage with him on starter and beginner novice tests, and after just a few months of training with Blaire, we were able to knock several points off our score. We now consistently score in the low 30’s to upper 20’s. She also convinced me to dip my toes into classical dressage, and at our first recognized dressage show, with my horse Nico being just 6 years old, we earned qualifying scores towards my USDF Bronze medal in his first level tests 2 & 3.

The improvements in the dressage have also carried over to the showjumping & cross country - Nico is much softer and more responsive on the approach to the fences which helps him leave the rails up. I’m so thankful to have found Blaire as a trainer and happy to now call her a friend, even though she constantly tries to bring me over to the dark side of dressage…. But jokes on her, because she’s going to be an eventer in no time.”

“Blaire has been instrumental in pushing Cory and I forward with confidence. In the ring, she gradually guides us into more challenging lessons. Every suggestion has been a pathway to healthier training. Her knowledge of the dressage world, horsemanship, tack, and biomechanics come into play with every step. After a good lesson, I can’t help but smile from ear to ear, and Cornelius ( my German Riding Pony) gets lots of well deserved treats!”

“ I was introduced to Blaire from a boarder in my barn taking lessons from her. My situation was unique as I had a newer horse to me, previous fall history & a quirky guy!

Blaire helped me unpack and work through those quirks , & helped regain my confidence.

Blaire has a very intuitive feeling of what the horse needs and how to convey that to the rider. She is patient and encouraging. My horse and I are riding next level in just a few months. Under her guidance I have become a better equestrian. I am grateful for her and recommend her highly.”

“Trainers like Blaire are, quite frankly, one in a million. She embodies the utmost compassion for the horse at all times - never utilizing punishment or harsh tactics.

Blaire does not take from the horses, she waits to receive what they have to offer - it is a relationship built on complete trust and reciprocity.

My young horse has thrived with Blaire’s training and I am extremely excited to see how their partnership continues to develop. She has a keep eye for developing the rider, combining her knowledge of horse and rider biomechanics, which I can attest has helped me achieve stillness and influence in the saddle. I cannot recommend Blaire enough and feel lucky to have her in my life.”