"I have been training with Lisa Postleb Kaptein for six years. These years have been the most fun, challenging and gratifying for me. I learned to ride in Germany and started my dressage training in Belgium many years ago. After my move to the United States in 1989 and after two children, I was looking for a trainer who could teach me the correct basics of dressage. Surprisingly, that was difficult to find until I came upon Lisa. Not only is she an extremely talented rider herself, having obtained her Bereiter FN degree in Germany, but she is an equally talented teacher. A combination that is indeed very difficult to achieve. Her training methods are above and beyond correct and effective. She always puts the safety of the horse and rider first. She is tough on the rider that really want to improve and will not accept the phrase "I can't do it!" With a lot of patience and kindness she makes us do it!! I only wish I had met Lisa much earlier. She has such a wealth of information to share. I will be forever grateful to have her as my dressage trainer."
Marina Richey
Marina Richey
"Gifted, sensitive, patient and unique, Lisa Postleb Kaptein is a phenomenal trainer & instructor. Lisa has trained my horse for over 4 years, and has brought him along with great care and throughtfulness. Her love of horses is demonstrated in her exceptional approach to training. Lisa treats each horse as an individual, addressing their specific needs based on their personalities and dispositions. As an instructor, there is no one with more insight into the student/horse partnership than Lisa. She works with her students in a smart and effective manner, full of enthusiasm and motivation. Lessons are fun, educational and leave you wanting more."
Robin Levine
Robin Levine
"I have been working with Lisa since January 2009. She has an amazing talent to teach someone how to become an independent rider by teaching them how to feel into their horse and to understand what they are feeling. By reinforcing the German training scale and the theory of dressage, Lisa teaches her clients exercises that can be used to improve what they are working on or to positively work through an issue. Lisa teaches her students to strive for harmony between horse and rider in order to create a true partnership. Lisa has taught me how to be a more effective and influential rider and has given me the skills, confidence and patience to know how to work with my horse to in order to achieve harmony and thoroughness in ever ride."
Reed Gillin
Reed Gillin
"I have worked with Lisa for several years now. I first met Lisa through a friend and was immediately impressed with her style and versatility training different horse and rider combinations so successfully. Lisa backed my young mare, who at times can be very challenging, and continues to train her to day. Over the years I have worked with many different trainers with very different styles. In working with Lisa it became clear I was missing key fundamentals which she was able to quickly identify, and clearly explain. Lisa is patient and has worked with me to build a solid foundation that can be expanded upon. She keeps me challenged and the work enjoyable, always with the best interest of horse and rider."
Anne Coffin Finsterbusch
Anne Coffin Finsterbusch
"I have been working with Lisa since 2008, she is a talented rider, trainer, and instructor. Firm but patient in her training, she has the ability to read each horse and adapt their training as needed. Over the years Lisa has helped me with several different horses, always bringing out the best in each. One of the horses she helped me start as a 3 year old, Rooster, now coming 7years, is starting his flying changes and his half steps, thanks to Lisa’s can-do attitude. She is the same consistent rider, trainer, and instructor at home as she in the show ring. Unflappable and calm, she gives the horses the extra confidence they need to perform well. Lisa is a pleasure to work with on every level."
Brooke Brown
Brooke Brown
"Lisa Postleb Kaptein is an elite trainer. She has studied and apprenticed to assure that she has exemplary skills, and she has passion. That passion is contagious. Horses and riders under her tutelage rise to levels exceeding expectations. She inspires confidence in those riders who need to have confidence built, and challenges her upper level riders to ride at levels beyond what they thought possible. She is intuitive in knowing exactly what the horse or rider needs to understand what is requested in the lesson. Mrs. Kaptein is always professional and a real joy. I have had the extreme pleasure of working with for the last six years, and highly recommend her as a trainer."
Katie Buhle
Katie Buhle
" To celebrate my recent 68th birthday, I bought myself a green broke five year old mare. My family turned pale. "Now she's really gone nuts", they said.
But I knew my birthday candles would remain brightly lit. Lisa's instruction and training is carefully tuned to each horse and rider. My lessons are always challenging but never overwhelming. She is a stickler for detail and there is nowhere to hide from her sharp eye, which can see, somehow, right through my horse. It's safe to say that Lisa's students, who range from young and bold to the old(er) and cautious, are a devoted group.
The only instruction I have failed to follow? "Stop smiling!""
Hope Platt
But I knew my birthday candles would remain brightly lit. Lisa's instruction and training is carefully tuned to each horse and rider. My lessons are always challenging but never overwhelming. She is a stickler for detail and there is nowhere to hide from her sharp eye, which can see, somehow, right through my horse. It's safe to say that Lisa's students, who range from young and bold to the old(er) and cautious, are a devoted group.
The only instruction I have failed to follow? "Stop smiling!""
Hope Platt
"I have been training with Lisa for about four years now. Her teaching methodology provides so much clarity that has enabled me to put the pieces together in the puzzle that is dressage. In every lesson I come away with the satisfaction that further understanding and accomplishment has truly been achieved. With Lisa'a guidance I purchased a new horse last year. At nine years old he had been turned out with no work for three years and had only limited training in Germany as a youngster before coming to the United States. This past show season, our first together, we qualified for Training Level championships in the first two shows. With Lisa in the saddle, he went to the Region 8 Championships coming away with 4th at First Level. That was only his third show ever. Now his nd my training is progressing quickly with Lisa because of her talent for clear communication and natural connection with the horses. It is apparent that the horses she trains with enjoy their work, clients included."
Debra Case
Debra Case
"Lisa Kaptein is a skilled horsewoman and teacher. She is purposeful in every moment of her lessons and is adroit at verbalizing. She can precisely pinpoint the origin of a particular challenge and the precise solution to that challenge. This power of observation and communication enables the rider to effectively fix the problem. Her recipe for success in her own riding and as a teacher is to not take any shortcuts and to ensure that the classical building blocks form the foundation on which to grow. With her guidance and diligence to keep me and my horse honest to this foundation, she has given me confidence and motivation to continue working hard - because the continue process and results are tangible! Before I worked with Lisa I had been on my own for a few years, and was no longer developing. Working with her has re-energized me by giving me a roadmap and skills to begin to progress up the levels. My horse loves her as well :)
Gloria Rosa - Wendelbow Horse: Vinston, Danish Warmblood
“I approached Lisa with a blank canvas marked with only a few disconnected dressage brush strokes asking for her guidance on how to develop this complex art.
What does it take to master dressage bursting with flair, precision and energy? An exemplary trainer with a talent for teaching. Lisa Kaptein is that teacher.
Lisa skillfully layers on easy–to-understand dressage techniques that flesh out the quality of my riding. We visit this canvas often adding more complex layers with every lesson. She is certainly not a “paint-by-numbers” trainer just looking to quickly fill in the blanks and call it art.
Lisa has a genuine concern that I understand the effect of every movement I execute and how it relates to creating harmony with the horse. Whether it is at a halt listening to theory, or in motion continually riding a movement into perfection, Lisa enunciates each step clearly and with incredible detail. She is a gifted artist.
When I come to have a horse of my own, I will ask Lisa for the privilege of having her as my trainer and mentor.
Thank you, Lisa for all that you give.
Sue McIntyre
Gloria Rosa - Wendelbow Horse: Vinston, Danish Warmblood
“I approached Lisa with a blank canvas marked with only a few disconnected dressage brush strokes asking for her guidance on how to develop this complex art.
What does it take to master dressage bursting with flair, precision and energy? An exemplary trainer with a talent for teaching. Lisa Kaptein is that teacher.
Lisa skillfully layers on easy–to-understand dressage techniques that flesh out the quality of my riding. We visit this canvas often adding more complex layers with every lesson. She is certainly not a “paint-by-numbers” trainer just looking to quickly fill in the blanks and call it art.
Lisa has a genuine concern that I understand the effect of every movement I execute and how it relates to creating harmony with the horse. Whether it is at a halt listening to theory, or in motion continually riding a movement into perfection, Lisa enunciates each step clearly and with incredible detail. She is a gifted artist.
When I come to have a horse of my own, I will ask Lisa for the privilege of having her as my trainer and mentor.
Thank you, Lisa for all that you give.
Sue McIntyre
"Because of a couple of bad falls and broken bones, I was very fearful of riding my horse and had no bond with him. Under Lisa's guidance I was able to overcome those fears and feelings. Lisa not only taught me the correct and safe way to ride, she gave me and continues to give me the confidence that I need, and as a result of this came the bonding with my horse. I know, that I would not be riding now if I did not find Lisa as an instructor. Thank you Lisa."
Marlene Coccaro
