The masters
To be inspired by greatness.
Three master horsemen who have inspired Tressa, not only for their great achievements in classical horsemanship but because they spent their lifetime sharing this knowledge with others.
Alois Podhajsky
Director of the Spanish Riding School, Vienna
Egon von Neindorff
Reitinstitut Egon von Neindorff, Karlsruhe
Melissa Simms
Head rider of the Reitinstitut
Tressa Boulden
Traditions Farm, Sebastopol
Alois Podhajsky
Director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Olympic medal-winner in dressage, riding instructor, and writer of some wonderful books that every horseman should have locked away in their library. My Horses, My Teachers, The Complete Training of Horse and Rider and The Riding Teacher are a few of Tressa's favorites. His books led her to believe there must be a better way of training the horse, even before she truly discovered such.
Herr Egon von Neindorff
Learned the art of riding from his father, and later from Felix Bürkner, Richard Wätjen, Ludwig Zeiner, Otto Lörke and Alois Podhajsky. He founded the first riding school established after World War II and in 1949 moved it to Karlsruhe, where he remained until his death in 2004. Awarded the Bundesverdienstkreuz and the German Rider Cross in Gold. A master who opened his doors to many. If it were not for those open doors, Melissa Simms would not have been discovered.
Melissa Simms
A true disciple of the classical horsemanship Herr Egon von Neindorff passed down. She became head rider of the Institute and carried on the tradition, passing down the pure classical teachings. A generous teacher, she gave exacting and thoughtful instruction to her pupils. About Melissa
Let the love for the feeling of responsibility toward the horse rule all your decisions and actions.
Egon von Neindorff
I am so grateful to have met her and that I was able to work with her for as long as I did. Knowing her over a span of two decades changed the course of my life and made my life with horses richer and more fulfilling.
Tressa Boulden, on Melissa Simms
Melissa Simms
The pure art of classical horsemanship, kept alive.
Working student at the Reitinstitut from 1982, later its head rider and heir, and translator of von Neindorff's The Art of Classical Horsemanship.