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Straight Forward Dressage & Jumpers

Patrick Billes & Laurel Roth

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Flatwork is the basis of all equestrian disciplines. Basic understanding of biomechanics of horse and rider provide a foundation for the training pyramid which is essential to the success of all horse and rider teams. Patrick Billes started riding at the young age of two on a Shetland Pony named Cupid. He continued his riding with 4-H and Pony Club, excelling in everything from Western Pleasure and Games, to Eventing. At the age of 16 he began training horses under the supervision of other trainers and then on his own while at WSU. From there he met Jessica Wisdom and began working as co-trainer, starting young horses and fixing problem horses as well as showing them at breed shows and inspections. Following this partnership, continued refinement develops the methods he utilizes today.

Under Vicki Foote, Darik Anderson, Ken Seifer, Jessica Wisdom, and on his own, Patrick Billes has started hundreds of horses. Experiences in natural horsemanship and traditional methods, along with an understanding of development of the horse, aid horses in successful careers at early stages and as they progress to higher levels of dressage and jumping.

Patrick Billes has had years of experience helping horses overcome issues caused by:

Having handled many stallions for collection with both types of breeding mounts, ground collection, and live cover, Patrick has developed a solid understanding of consistent breeding patterns to help stallions keep breeding separate from work. Further experience in breeding includes the handling of mares for teasing and live cover.

Also working as trainer at Straight Forward, Laurel Roth has had a diverse experience with horses across the world and at home in Washington. As a young rider living in Germany, she had the opportunity to handle stallions and ride under Claus Schermer. During her time living in England, Laurel rode and owned one of John Renwyck's Olympic level horses. In Pony Club in Colorado, Laurel took lessons from and groomed for Heidi Berg. Following these experiences, she successfully evented green horses in New Mexico, Arizona, Oregon, and Washinton as well as placing in the Championships at Washington State. Further experiences include teaching at Pony Club camps and coaching other amateur riders.

Recently returned from studying abroad together, Patrick Billes and Laurel Roth were working with many coaches and trainers in Germany and other parts of Europe including: Sebastian Gloede, Gehard Schmidt, Kairn Seeberger, Dorit Schmidt, Otto Schalter, and Claus Schermer. Foxhunting and jumping in Ireland with Flowerhill Equestrian Center and other establishments gave a new perspective on riding.

Straight Forward has a training program to suit every horse for Dressage and jumping. For the young horses to be worked in hand, ground manners and leading are firmly established to ensure safe and successful handling by owners as well as top performance in the show ring. Horses to be started under saddle are introduced to longing, some round pen work, hours of learning to stretch under saddle, and patience. For the more mentally advanced horses, training entails many strengthening and balancing exercises, grids, pole work, and difficult drills. All of the horses receive a great deal of ground work to improve manners and help convey riding principles, they are also taken out often on trails or new places with the expectation that they behave rationally. Owners are strongly encouraged to come out and visit to watch and learn as their horses do.