HORSE TRAINER/DRESSAGEWhat type of job are you looking for? I am a Dressage Instructor of 35 years and wish to establish my business in Alabama. I would also consider being a resident instructor working at a private school or riding establishment or resident farm. What languages do you speak (and at what level)? I speak German and English fluently as I was born and partly raised in Germany. What State are you looking to work in and why? Alabama is beautiful and progressive. I really like the flavor of the true south and it is still warm with mild winters.....I like MILD! What field do you currently work in? I am a freelance Dressage Instructor, clinician and also a consultant in the Faux Painting field. I dabble in landscape design. I also am a writer and am about to self publish my book on Dressage Riding. What fields have you worked in before? I have worked in various business employments. The equine field has been my main focus for the past 35 years as an Instructor/trainer in Dressage. I have done and occasionally still do some Faux Painting and Interior and Exterior Decorating. I also was a great Homemaker, House builder, landscaper and mom. I love life! What qualifications do you hold? MDA gold medal in Dressage, Grandfathered into the Riding Instructor industry for 35 years, received a scholarship for Layton School of Art and Own two businesses and helped my daughter and son start theirs. Which do you consider more valuable? Formal education or skills and why? Skills are more important to me. One can have all the formal education in the world but without skills, talents, and common sense you really just have a diploma on the wall to help you climb the corporate ladder. Skills can do both! Describe the benefits of working with others As a riding instructor I benefit from the interaction of my students and horses as they all display different approaches to learning thus giving me new ideas in my own presentation and teaching. Working with others makes me a better and more introspective person by challenging me to dig a little deeper into my resources. The big benefit is primarily developing a broader scope and outlook on the world of ideas etc. outside of the norm. Describe the benefits of working alone In working alone I am able to go at my own pace and work as hard or as relaxed as the situation deems. There is no one to blame but oneself should something go amiss. If one is self motivated it is very beneficial to work alone but if not, then others are needed to motivate and set a good work ethic. Solitude is a powerful teacher! What was your worst working experience? Working with a self-righteous critical person on a benefit drive was probably the worst working experience I ever had. I could not do anything right, work fast enough, hard enough or good enough, yet their fruit was rotten to the core. What is the most important lesson you have learnt throughout your career? A life lesson for me is I don't know everything and there is always someone who can do it better and that solitude is necessary to creat and dream. What unique skills do you have? I feel that my ability to communicate with people and horses is unique in that if one example doesn't work I am instantly gifted to give another. I have an engineering and inventive mind which helps me problem solve. I still Ride, Teach, Play Piano, am a Barista (have coffee business) Paint Murals, plant unique gardens, am a writer, computer savvy, and a good financial advisor. What would you consider as your 'dream job'? To be a Riding Instructor at a College or at my own school would be my continued dream job. What are the most interesting aspects of your field? Teaching people to communicate with their horse in such a way that they are able to get true feed-back from the horse. Coming up with new ideas and teaching tools instantly while in a lesson through visualization techniques etc. has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my job. Watching horses respond to me and actually bond with me while I am giving a lesson to their rider....pretty cool stuff. What are the least interesting aspects of your field? Teaching people who really do not want to learn and have excuses for everything under the sun, including that their horse is at fault and blaming him for their inability to perform. The students who exploit their horses for personal gain and recognition only! Working with horses who hate what they are doing. If you had 1 day to live, only 1 person to spend it with, who would it be and why? If having only one day and only one person to spend my last day with, before I died, I would spend it with God. He and I would write a letter to my loved ones explaining that I needed to set my priorities straight and that I would see them on the other side again. Knowing I can not take anyone or anything with me I need to prepare for this high adventure with the One who guided me here and will guide me to the place He has prepared for me................. How can potential employers contact you? By Phone first: (904) 994-8768 then email: sljdressage @ gmail.com in order for the information not to end up in the junk mail. | 
