"I have never worked so hard or had so much fun riding as I did during Paul's short courses.  The improvement in my position has made me a much more effective rider, and, it is truly a privilege to ride such well-trained school horses, especially since I am a novice.  Riding them allowed me to feel what correct movements are really like.  Paul is very approachable, and the relaxed atmosphere made me feel comfortable asking lots of questions.  It was interesting to discuss dressage history and training, and to see those training techniques put into practice in the daily sessions of horses on the longe and being ridden.  These short courses truly changed my riding life and enhanced my dressage education."

 

Alice McCoy, MD

Milton, PA

“We have made the short course of the Pennsylvania Riding Academy one of our annual sojourns.  As a ‘horse vacation’ it is an experience like no other:  The unmatched opportunity to ride true schoolmasters under the tutelage of an internationally recognized instructor combined with the chance to observe the daily training of horses of all ages as
they progress through the levels of dressage.  The enthusiasm, devotion, and expertise of the PA Riding Academy staff are reflected in the immaculately kept barn, riding facilities, and of course, in the happy horses and riders training there.  We found the accommodations as cozy as a B & B and discovered that the surrounding pristine
Pennsylvania countryside is a fun place to run and cycle during the down times at the barn.  Thank you, Paul and Andrea, for fabulous vacations that have helped us both take our riding abilities and understanding of dressage training to the next level.” 

 

Jennifer Swanson, MD & Charles Miller, DVM

Durham, NC

“Riding with Paul Belasik at clinics is always fabulous, but to be able to go to his Academy, ride his horses and focus on your position and technique is critical: Classical riding emphasizes that it is only through correct position that you can correctly influence, train and strengthen the horse, regardless of whether you aspire to the dressage ring, the jumper ring, or the cross-country course. By working with me on his horses, who are so well educated to the proper use of the rider’s seat, Paul was able over the course of several visits to transform a number of positional and training practices that I had absorbed over the years, but that had been limiting my and my horses’ progress. It was amazingly easy to transfer the work and the new feelings gleaned at the Academy to horses at home and this make much more progress between Paul’s clinics. Paul’s short courses are intentionally intensive but extremely effective: Paul will push you as far as you can go and is fully committed to each rider “getting it”. You also get to see his program work with many different horses and riders each day. Paul is incredibly generous with his explanations of why and how he does things. He and his assistant, Andrea Velas, go out of their way to ensure you have a truly successful learning experience.”

 

Sophie Pirie Clifton, JD, LLM, instructor and trainer

Tryon, NC

“Mr. Belasik is a gifted instructor.  He is one of the few instructors I've worked with who addresses rider position as well as the frame and movement of the horse.  He tailors his instruction to the needs of the student.  His teaching style is collaborative, often checking in with the student to make sure he/she is understanding the concept being taught.  If its not understood Mr. Belasik will make every effort to reword his instruction so the student can best understand it.  Mr. Belasik has a wealth of knowledge about classical dressage and freely shares this knowledge with his students.  His teaching is an informative combination of historical and current dressage theory with personalized instruction.  As a student of Mr. Belasik's I can not say enough about how helpful he has been as my instructor.  I continue to try and take advantage of his short course program as often as I can. I have seen tremendous results in my own riding and my horse's performance and am frequently asked who my instructor is.  Through Mr. Belasik's courses I have a developed a deeper understanding of my abilities and my horses abilities and of our personalities and how they mesh in the training process.”

 

Bernice Johnston, MA

Florence, MT