Conner and I came to work with Gina in fall 2003; we had been hopelessly stuck at 1 st level for 3 years. Within 1 year and 3 months I had my bronze medal, and 6 months after that I successfully showed 4 th . Gina designed an individualized development program based on relaxation, strengthening exercises, and the specific needs of Conner, all which contributed to helping me take Conner further in his training than most others had thought possible. Gina is scrupulous about the softness and correctness of the rider's position affecting the horse's way of going.

Gina focuses on the quality of the gaits in a very detailed way; I learned to use the pattern of hoof-falls that I hear as a gauge to the quality of the gait as well as when to apply an aid. I believe this attention to quality allows me to be so successful with Conner in the show ring; it truly sets me apart from the other competitors. Besides being a good friend and completely honest business partner, Gina has helped develop me into a feeling, analyzing, and attractive rider. I am SO thankful!  

~Emily McDonald

As a parent and educator of a young rider, I have been most impressed with two aspects of Gina's training sessions.  She is a skillful communicator and has been very successful in achieving results due to her innate ability to communicate with both the horse and rider.  She is exceptional in teaching my daughter to become a better rider first and foremost no matter which horse she is riding.  Secondly, Gina's desire to become a better rider and trainer, through her participation in a variety of clinics and competitions, brings all those new ideas and enthusiasm to our door front. 

~Dana Amack

My horse and I have been in training with Gina for one year. It has been an amazing year. Gina is not only an excellent rider; she is also a wonderful teacher. She focuses on teaching the principles of riding correctly. Gina is passionate about teaching and is committed to her students.

Since I have been with Gina, I have become a better partner for my horse. Also, my horse looks completely different in one year because of the superb training she has put into him. I couldn't be happier. I'm having the most fun I've ever had with my horse and we are truly enjoying our dressage journey."

~Yvonne Gehring

I have been riding with Gina for nearly four years and am amazed when I look back at the progress that Reggie and I have made. When I first started with her, I was so afraid that any time Reggie pricked up his ears, I was struck with terror and dismounted. Through Gina's patient and gentle reinforcement, I gained confidence in both my horse and myself. Last year we were ranked third nationally at first level for the Danish Warmbloods, and we are well on our way to moving up to second level this year. Thankfully, I have moved beyond fear and am now learning about collection, straightness and balance.

Through Gina's ability to explain the fundamentals of dressage, as well as consistent and supportive feedback, I am finishing my lessons on cloud nine after floating half passes and lovely walk pirouettes. It seems like ages ago when it was a good lesson to just remain on my horse! 

~Mary Beth Davis

Choosing Gina as our trainer has been the best decision I've ever made, for both me and my horse. As her student, I feel supported and listened to, and on the road to being the best possible partner possible for my horse. Lessons are demanding but always enjoyable. There is a plan and logical progression to our work that enables me to build on what I learn. My "aha!" moments come more and more frequently. My relationship with my horse has changed too: I feel that we are becoming a team, not just horse and rider.

My horse is thriving under Gina's training program. She is a thoughtful, intuitive rider -- very fair and always quick to praise and reinforce his learning. I am confident that she will develop his full potential. And he's doing wonderfully: healthy, fit, and relaxed. I couldn't be more pleased.

~Evelyn Sawhill

Gina has the qualities that I need in a trainer. She's very knowledgeable and encourages me to reach for a higher standard in my riding. It always amazes me what she can see when I'm riding. There's no sneaking ANYTHING past her! Thank goodness she has more patience than I do. She helps me calmly get past those points when I get stuck trying to learn something. At shows, she provides the positive coaching that helps me deal with show nerves. By the time my warm-up is finished, I feel ready to ride up centerline. Perhaps what I love best about her is that I know that she's there at the sidelines, genuinely rooting for my horse and me.

~Linda Warren

My daughter Mara and I ride at Oak Creek Training Stable, an Eventing barn where Gina Duran is a Clinician. Our pony Skittles was a wonderful backyard pony that Mara rode 4-6 days a week. When we bought Skittles we recognized her sweet disposition and lack of training. It was time to get some professional help. Mara started with Gina once a month. We were surprised at the immediate results. Gina was able to pinpoint what Skittles needed and fix it in the one-hour, once a month training sessions. Mara and I got excited. What could Gina do with Skittles if she had her full time? We decided to sacrifice and give our pony to Gina for 3 months.

We drove the 2 hours to pick-up Skittles for the weekend, once a month. When we arrived at our barn, Skittles created quite a commotion. Other riders couldn't believe the changes in our pony. Gina changed Skittles from a cute, safe child's pony with a lack of skills and rough transitions, into a shining, polished show pony with a bright future. We are forever grateful to Gina and her assistants for tapping into Skittles potential and bringing out the best in her.

~Deborah Sackman

Quotes

" The knowledge of the nature of a horse is one of the first foundations of the art if riding it, and every horseman must make it his principal study. "
Walter Zettl

Treat every mistake as a training opportunity
Steffen Peters

Catch them doing it right
Unknown

The biggest enemy to the partnership of dressage is impatience and the human nature to dominate other creatures.
Walter Zettl

Besides a knowledge of the physiology and psychology of the horse, the rider must have a clear notion of the theory of the movement and balance.”
Alois Podhajsky

A riders feel will always be reflected by the horse. Harmony is the word that describes the result of riding with feel.”
Klaus Balkenhol

The art of riding was like entering a convent. It was a full dedication”.
Nuno Oliveira

Through gaining competence, we gain confidence”
Erik Herbermann

We must be fully aware that a lifetime isn't long enough to come to know all about horsemanship.”
Egon von Neindorff

I couldn't imagine not working with horses. I think if horses didn't exist, I would have invented them.”
Klaus Balkenhol

In training we must be encouraged to first establish the principles and only then to tackle the details.
Dr. Reiner Klimke

Anything forced or misunderstood, can never be beautiful.”
Xenophon – The Art of Horsemanship

The basic techniques, or what they call basics, are more difficult than what comes later - this is the Trap of Dressage.  Correct basics are more difficult than the piaffe and passage.
Conrad Schumacher

Pleasanton, CA. 94588

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