ABOUT US

FRANCES CARBONNEL
"I have been a USDF/USEF member and competitor since 1989 and a full time Dressage Instructor/Trainer since 1992. I have broad-based competition experience, including USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals, many World Championships in Western Dressage, including Freestyle, and National Championships in Dressage, Show Hack, Hunter Under Saddle and Doma Vaquera Basico and Alta from the International Andalusian And Lusitano Horse Association, where I was twice named Horsewoman of the Year. I was one of the founding members of the Western Dressage Association of America, and, during a seminal 5-year period, I taught over 550 equine professionals the fundamentals of that young discipline through a series of seminars called Train the Trainers™. Over my lifetime I have ridden with many Greats, including Charles De Kunffy, Hilda Gurney, Steffen Peters, Leslie Webb, Nuno Oliveira (yes, twice), Andreas Hausberger, Gerd Heuschmann, and Manuel Borba Veiga, and some Not-so-greats, enough to be able to discern and embrace the correct classical foundation of horsemanship. I lived 7 years in France in the 1970’s, have spent a lot of time in Europe at the great schools, and most recently 5 trips to Portugal, refreshing my connection to their impeccable horse culture. I have studied with Celeste Lazaris to learn her Balance Through Movement ™ method for restoring unsound horses. I have a well-documented passion for correct biomechanics and humane horsemanship. It is time to pass a lifetime of accumulated knowledge on." To learn more about Frances, friend her on her Facebook page 'Frances Carbonnel' or visit her website at 'www.ClassicalLegacyDressage.com'

MICHELLE BINDER-ZOLEZZI, ACRI
"I was originally certified in 3 disciplines by the American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA) in 1989 and remain one of the longest standing continuously certified instructors in the US. I am a USEF “r” Judge in Western Dressage and have been coaching riders and competitors in multiple disciplines to local, regional and national and World Championships for four decades. Relational Riding Academy in Spokane, WA sees up to 150 students per week. The programs are administered by myself with 2 assistant instructors and a part time trainer utilizing 2 indoor arenas, a full court outdoor dressage arena and a working equitation arena. Services include group lessons, private lessons, summer camps and a horse show team. RRA maintains 15-20 school horses, all of which are serviceably sound, sane and do not work more than 5 days per week or more than 2 hours in any day). Last year Relational Riding Academy had a gross income well into 6 figures using a multi-disciplinary approach with lessons based on correct classical riding principles. As the director of HEART, Healthy Equine Association for Riding and Training (a registered 501c3), the organization has rescued, rehabilitated, rehomed, and given over 100 horses a second chance to be loved and valued by riders and horse lovers of all ages. We run our programs without compromising humane horsemanship, teaching our riders to operate with love, trust and respect of their equine partners. I am on a mission to pass on the skillset and knowledge that have been gifted to me, both of the business and horsemanship, to the next generation of riders, trainers and instructors." To learn more about Michelle, friend her on her facebook pages 'Michelle Binder-Zolezzi' 'Relational Riding Academy' or visit

• "Relational Riding Academy"

Information and Registration