Raphael Heiligers

October 2005 clinic

Raphael started riding in 1971 when he was ten. For the next six years he did a  bit of everything until he finally focused more and more on dressage with huge successes. After his first year of formal training with former Dutch National Team member Jo Rutten , Raphael rode in his first international competition and one year later he won the Dutch NKB Championships. Through his constant success he became a member of the Dutch National Team from 1981 -1984.
From 1983-1985 he trained with internationally well known trainer Douwe Rinkes who also trained Annemarie Keijzer with Amon. In 1985 Raphael opened his own dressage stable in Germany where he successfully trained many horse to Grand Prix. His teachers during that time were international FEI dressage judge Jan Peters and the late Fritz Tempelmann, who was one of the best trainers that Germany ever had.

After selling his barn in 1991 he focused even more on teaching. Today he has 74 students in weekly training and gives several clinics through the year on the east & west coast. 

Walter Zettl

Walter A. Zettl is a life-long equestrian with over 57 years of experience in riding and coaching some of the world's finest horses and students. Mr. Zettl's many successes include coaching at international-level competitions such as the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, as well as coaching at the North American Young Riders' Championship. Mr. Zettl is the author of Dressage In Harmony (1998 Half Halt Press) and countless articles published both domestically and in Europe. His knowledge of classical dressage is unsurpassed. A resident of Canada, he travels abroad teaching his life's work to equine enthusiasts all over the world. World-renowned trainer. In the video series ( A Matter of Trust) Walter A. Zettl elaborates on the theory classical masters have used for centuries. His approach re-defines correct training methods, proper movements and carriage of the horse.