Our trainer, Elaine Hayes, offers programs for the development of the dressage horse as well as programs focused on the training of the rider to communicate more effectively with their horse. She has full and half training packages where she alone works with the horse and lesson packages where she works with the horse and rider together.

With horses in training, Elaine stresses the individual needs of each horse, as all horses respond differently. Although she trains based on the classical principles of the dressage training scale, she is flexible enough to listen to each horse and reacts accordingly. The horses' health and well-being is always the priority and the goal for overall training of any horse is always to produce sound, happy, and competitive horses. The proof is in her horses' attitudes as well as on the results page!

For our lesson program, Elaine emphasizes the correct position of the rider as the essential building block to success in dressage. Without a correct, steady position, the rider cannot communicate effectively with the horse and will be blocked from achieving true harmony. Happy, relaxed riders make happy, relaxed horses!

Lake Norman Dressage Center offers lessons on several trained school horses that are safe and knowledgeable, or you can take lessons on your own horse. Trailer-in lessons are welcomed and there is no extra fee.