KRISTEN CLOSSON

Kristen's career with horses started quite early, becoming a professional junior rider by age 14, a coach whilst still in her teenage years, and she had ridden to Grand Prix by her early 20s. With meticulous attention to detail her interests evolved to include judging and horse management.  These, alongside coaching, led her traveling around the world for over 4 years. A tour which ended in Australia in 2003. Kristen draws from over 30 years of experience coaching in nearly 10 countries.
 
Since migrating from Southern California to Australia Kristen has come up through the coaching and judging ranks. Kristen is a Level II Dressage Specialist Coach, a Coach Educator, an 'A' Level (Grand Prix) Dressage Judge, a Judge Educator, and a Young Horse Judge. Her passion for the sport has recently lead her into sport administration and she holds committee roles in both Equestrian NSW and Dressage NSW.
 
Kristen actively coaches throughout Australia with regular lessons clinics being held both at her equestrian facility and within a few hours of Sydney, and virtual lessons further afield.  She spends several hours a day in the saddle training both her own and client’s horses.  This ensures she keeps her feel tuned and fuels her passion for the horse.
 
Her time is also filled judging dressage, both within Australia and internationally, as well as educating NSW judges. She finds both coach education and judge education rewarding and challenging, and Kristen loves the mentoring role of supporting others to develop and encouraging them in their pursuits.
 
The retirement of Kristen’s lovely Sophina opened up a new endeavour, that of breeding at her boutique property in the Hunter Valley, NSW.  Having only had a couple of foals, Kristen is hooked.  The feeling of watching the young foal strengthen it's relationship with it's mother, learn how to communicate with the herd, and discover the world is inspiring.  And to be even a small part of that process is such an honour.
"My job is to bring clarity to what you, as a rider, are trying to achieve.  To not only understand what the movement is (the technical criteria), but also why we do it, what is the essence of the movement. Combined with guidance of the right time in the horses development to introduce the training, and also at what stages to advance."

KRISTEN'S PHILOSOPHY

The Closson Dressage training system uses timing, tact, and precision to elevate confidence and understanding in both horse and rider.  These concepts are combined with the consideration of the technical criteria and the reason for performing dressage movements at distinct levels.  Through this system, patterns of the horse and rider are continuously assessed and reconstructed in order to achieve the ability to fulfil the individual rider’s goals.

Kristen trains with an acute attention to details and an emphasis on improving the foundation skills required.  Exercises are used to improve  knowledge of the fundamentals which in turn create a strong base of training and allow for a full kit of correctional tools that can be applied to every situation.
 
Rider position is another core focus.  Riders are coached to deliver correct and effective aids and the training system takes this a step further incorporating the importance of how the horse accepts of the aids.

Rider's are taught to assess their horse, knowledge to know what is correct, and awareness to ride with feel. Kristen’s depth of knowledge allows for a quick assessment under dressage principles and her system produces technical and biomechanical correctness.  Her keen eye and attention to detail ensure performance is optimised and the overall experience enhanced whether the training focus is on competition or personal achievement.