About Claudia Roberts
“After I had my two children, I decided I needed to
find a career where I could set my own hours and
still be involved with horses,” explains Claudia,
who was a psychotherapist before she made the
big jump from amateur rider to professional
trainer 15 years ago. “I worked with Heather
Bender since 1981 and by watching and being
involved in her training business as an assistant,
I knew that it was hard work involving long hours,
physical strength, and an incredible amount of
responsibility and commitment which could be
very rewarding at times.”
In the years that followed her “big jump” and the
formation of her own training barn, Pacific
Dressage, L.L.C., Claudia has earned a USDF
bronze medal and received her “L” graduate
certification which allows her to judge schooling
shows. Throughout her many years of riding,
Claudia has had the honor of working with
Heather Bender, Robert Dover, Michael Poulin,
Axel Stiener, Robert Gharabdazideh, Bert Rutten,
Natalie Lamping, and Leslie Web, Students in
her barn are encouraged to participate in regular
clinics given at Rockin' W Ranch. The Pacific
Dressage barn shows an average of four large
shows a year and smaller ones in between..
Claudia has also found trail riding and quadrille
work to be a wonderful confidence builder for
both horse and rider. “The funny thing about
anxiety is when you’re focused on something
else, it goes away. Riding quadrille forces the
riders to focus on spacing and synchronicity, and
that takes their mind off themselves and all the
little things that can prevent them from achieving
their goals. I try and teach all my students that
dressage is a partnership and that trust is part of
that relationship.”
With an average of 15 horses in training at one
time, Claudia embraces a broad spectrum of
experience levels in her clientele. "I teach
everyone equally, whether they have competitive
ambitions or are pursuing dressage for fun," she
says. Claudia's background in clinical
psychology; (she holds a masters degree and
practiced as a psychotherapist for 10 years),
gives her a unique empathy for amateurs. Her
main goal is to challenge them, regardless of
their ambitions. "It's all about the basics and
becoming good at them," Claudia emphasizes.
Her psychology training and experience give her
an extra edge as an instructor. She has found
working on the lunge line and without stirrups to
be an invaluable teaching tool and has made it
part of her core curriculum. “Working on the
lunge line helps students to develop a better
balanced seat, strengthen their leg position and it
teaches them to use their body parts both
independently and in coordination with one
another.”
Cross training for fresh minds and bodies is also
part of the program. Trail rides through the area
surrounding Rockin' W Ranch are incorporated
into the training program and Claudia
encourages riders to check out yoga and other
forms of body work to maximize "in-the-saddle"
time. Vaulting is one of Claudia's favorite side
sports to suggest to students. The Valley View
Vaulters in Lakeview Terrace, have worked with
Claudia and her students on several occasions.
"It's wonderful for balance and developing your
seat, and the confidence you gain from standing
atop a horse that's cantering in a circle is
tremendous," she notes.
In addition to training and competing, Claudia is a
wife and the mother of two kids, Devin, 15, and
Abigail, 11. She has help from her reliable
assistant trainer Christy Monfort, who shares her
vast experience with many different breeds and
disciplines and their groom, Fernando Hernandez.
For more information on Pacific Dressage, L.L.C.
and to schedule an appointment, please call
Claudia at (818) 256-6080.
“After I had my two children, I decided I needed to
find a career where I could set my own hours and
still be involved with horses,” explains Claudia,
who was a psychotherapist before she made the
big jump from amateur rider to professional
trainer 15 years ago. “I worked with Heather
Bender since 1981 and by watching and being
involved in her training business as an assistant,
I knew that it was hard work involving long hours,
physical strength, and an incredible amount of
responsibility and commitment which could be
very rewarding at times.”
In the years that followed her “big jump” and the
formation of her own training barn, Pacific
Dressage, L.L.C., Claudia has earned a USDF
bronze medal and received her “L” graduate
certification which allows her to judge schooling
shows. Throughout her many years of riding,
Claudia has had the honor of working with
Heather Bender, Robert Dover, Michael Poulin,
Axel Stiener, Robert Gharabdazideh, Bert Rutten,
Natalie Lamping, and Leslie Web, Students in
her barn are encouraged to participate in regular
clinics given at Rockin' W Ranch. The Pacific
Dressage barn shows an average of four large
shows a year and smaller ones in between..
Claudia has also found trail riding and quadrille
work to be a wonderful confidence builder for
both horse and rider. “The funny thing about
anxiety is when you’re focused on something
else, it goes away. Riding quadrille forces the
riders to focus on spacing and synchronicity, and
that takes their mind off themselves and all the
little things that can prevent them from achieving
their goals. I try and teach all my students that
dressage is a partnership and that trust is part of
that relationship.”
With an average of 15 horses in training at one
time, Claudia embraces a broad spectrum of
experience levels in her clientele. "I teach
everyone equally, whether they have competitive
ambitions or are pursuing dressage for fun," she
says. Claudia's background in clinical
psychology; (she holds a masters degree and
practiced as a psychotherapist for 10 years),
gives her a unique empathy for amateurs. Her
main goal is to challenge them, regardless of
their ambitions. "It's all about the basics and
becoming good at them," Claudia emphasizes.
Her psychology training and experience give her
an extra edge as an instructor. She has found
working on the lunge line and without stirrups to
be an invaluable teaching tool and has made it
part of her core curriculum. “Working on the
lunge line helps students to develop a better
balanced seat, strengthen their leg position and it
teaches them to use their body parts both
independently and in coordination with one
another.”
Cross training for fresh minds and bodies is also
part of the program. Trail rides through the area
surrounding Rockin' W Ranch are incorporated
into the training program and Claudia
encourages riders to check out yoga and other
forms of body work to maximize "in-the-saddle"
time. Vaulting is one of Claudia's favorite side
sports to suggest to students. The Valley View
Vaulters in Lakeview Terrace, have worked with
Claudia and her students on several occasions.
"It's wonderful for balance and developing your
seat, and the confidence you gain from standing
atop a horse that's cantering in a circle is
tremendous," she notes.
In addition to training and competing, Claudia is a
wife and the mother of two kids, Devin, 15, and
Abigail, 11. She has help from her reliable
assistant trainer Christy Monfort, who shares her
vast experience with many different breeds and
disciplines and their groom, Fernando Hernandez.
For more information on Pacific Dressage, L.L.C.
and to schedule an appointment, please call
Claudia at (818) 256-6080.
About Christy Monfort
Christy Monfort, began her career as a
horsewoman at the young age of eleven
when she began showing hunter/jumpers.
She continued showing for 15 years and
participated as a working student for many
different trainers. During that time she also
rode and competed in saddle seat and
western pleasure.
In 1989, she began training in dressage and
in 1991 she met Heather Bender. Having
developed such a special relationship with
Heather as her teacher she had the honor
of riding and caring for Heather's long time
companion and mount, Andy. Together,
Christy and Andy formed a very unique
bond and partnership which gave Christy
the opportunity to fine tune her dressage
abilities.
During this time, Christy continued teaching
and riding professionally and became
interested in working with Claudia Roberts,
whom in 1996, was starting her own
business now known as Pacific Dressage.
Her vast experience with many disciplines
and different breeds of horses makes her a
welcomed asset to Pacific Dressage. "She
loves working with the horses and they love
her," comments Claudia. "I'm very fortunate
to have such a knowledgeable, talented,
and great spirited individual working with me;
I feel we make a great team!!"
When teaching, Christy emphasizes correct
position and has an array of very specific
exercises designed to help with certain
problems. Her time in the saddle usually
begins with a lot of suppling and gymnastic
exercise, many of which are done at a walk
and then continue into the trot and canter
work. She enjoys her own Mustang cross
equine buddy, Remington, and takes great
pride in his accomplishments and progress.
Currently training second and third levels,
they enjoy quadrille performances as well as
weekly trail rides.
Christy resides in Valencia with her
husband Bryan.
horsewoman at the young age of eleven
when she began showing hunter/jumpers.
She continued showing for 15 years and
participated as a working student for many
different trainers. During that time she also
rode and competed in saddle seat and
western pleasure.
In 1989, she began training in dressage and
in 1991 she met Heather Bender. Having
developed such a special relationship with
Heather as her teacher she had the honor
of riding and caring for Heather's long time
companion and mount, Andy. Together,
Christy and Andy formed a very unique
bond and partnership which gave Christy
the opportunity to fine tune her dressage
abilities.
During this time, Christy continued teaching
and riding professionally and became
interested in working with Claudia Roberts,
whom in 1996, was starting her own
business now known as Pacific Dressage.
Her vast experience with many disciplines
and different breeds of horses makes her a
welcomed asset to Pacific Dressage. "She
loves working with the horses and they love
her," comments Claudia. "I'm very fortunate
to have such a knowledgeable, talented,
and great spirited individual working with me;
I feel we make a great team!!"
When teaching, Christy emphasizes correct
position and has an array of very specific
exercises designed to help with certain
problems. Her time in the saddle usually
begins with a lot of suppling and gymnastic
exercise, many of which are done at a walk
and then continue into the trot and canter
work. She enjoys her own Mustang cross
equine buddy, Remington, and takes great
pride in his accomplishments and progress.
Currently training second and third levels,
they enjoy quadrille performances as well as
weekly trail rides.
Christy resides in Valencia with her
husband Bryan.
| Margeaux |
Abigail and Rootbeer
Mikhail & Claudia
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818-256-6080
Pacific Dressage, L.L.C.
© 2009 Pacific Dressage, L.L.C.
Claudia and Nicu
Distinctive Dressage Training for Novices & Experienced Riders
| Located at Rockin' W Ranch 10263 La Canada Way Shadow Hills, CA 91040 |