About Karen
Karen is a respected and successful FEI Grand Prix Dressage rider, EA Coach and breeder of Lusitano horses.
Teamed with her beautiful Lusitano stallion Guizo, they are currently South Australian Big Tour Champions, and the harmonised partnership reflects Karen’s training ideology.
She has bred and trained horses from unbacked to Grand Prix and has coached riders from beginners to FEI.
Karen’s foundations in dressage stem from 30-plus years as a student of renowned Master Miguel Tavora.
Early exposure to Tavora’s deep understanding of classical equestrian principles and his renowned ability to integrate Iberian, French and German dressage traditions has influenced Karen’s overall philosophy and everyday training of her own horses.
To reinforce these principles Karen created illustrated diagrams of gymnastic exercises for Miguel’s book ‘Dressage Principles and Techniques: A Blueprint for the Serious Rider’.
Karen’s coaching emphasizes the well-being and harmonious development of the horse through gradual, progressive and systematic gymnastic work.
Careful selection of exercises to develop balance and harmony is an integral part of Karen’s lessons.