What students of Claudia Garner have to say:

"It is a pleasure to hear from such a knowledgeable horse person: I'm learning a lot and I've taken similar courses before. The fact that you are able to keep on track with the course material and at the same time answer the personal questions of class members is especially important to me. I don't know why all the horse people in Columbia aren't in attendance."
Marilyn Fountain, student "Eight Secrets of Better Horsemanship", Midland's Technical College, Columbia

"When Claudia coaches me she is not trying to make me feel good, to please me or to find some "fun things to do" with my horses. Her goal is to improve the basic elements of my riding: my seat, my hands, the balance of my whole body. I trust the sharpness of her eye, which can detect the slightest contractions on the horse or the rider, I like her knowledge of all the aspects of horsemanship; human and equine anatomy and psychology. For her riding is about knowledge, discipline and mastery of our own body. She is systematic, rational and accepts only excellence. She does not accept excuses, as horses do not understand excuses. She challenges me constantly, relentlessly and she succeeds: I improve.
Claudia was born with the love of horses and the love of teaching. Fate had her born at the right place: Germany. She went through the arduous and exacting FN training system and met its high standards to become a "Bereiter" and a judge. Through a twist of fate, she met an American who became her husband and abducted her to the US for our good fortune.
Her aim is to make perfect partners of horse and rider though harmonious communication. Of course, this requires a stable and deep seat, quiet hands, precise aids, the absolute and basic elements of Dressage. Claudia is relentless in her efforts to reach perfection. She knows all the aspects of horsemanship, human and equine anatomy and psychology and constantly apply them in her teaching. She keeps the horses athletic, fit and motivated. She puts her students in front of the heart of the matter: their own motivation and commitment to achieve excellence." Francoise C. Duffy, Ph.D., MBA

”This is the story of a Belgian Warmblood. If anyone has met her they will not soon forget. She is the product of a breeding of a mediocre (in my opinion) Thoroughbred mare to Branco Serenity Star is a big mare about 16.2 hands, who is not extremely pretty, all the pieces are OK, they just don’t flow together very well. Not a bad mover but not an 8 either.
Serenity Song (Song) was the product of this breeding. She was a plain red chestnut with some chrome. Song was always a handful. I took Song places, but she would not ever behave and although she was still my favorite, I feared I would never be able to ride her. I became scared of her. She grew. . .
As she became bigger and stronger I became more scared of her. She has never managed to hurt me, but if you have seen her at shows you know she has tried. The more scared of her I got, the worse she got. But I knew she had the talent. We went places but she never would behave well enough for a judge to even get a good look at her. This years comments at Devon were that she is a nice mare but she needs to behave to show well.
As she was coming to the middle of her 3 year old year and measures now 17 hands I knew that it was time to do something. Song would kick at you when you ran her on the triangle, she would run circles in the stall when you left her in the barn alone, she would push you around and she was big enough that she could, she was in general crazy. Song, many people, and myself had me convinced that Song was a NUT. Certifiable. I wanted to keep Song. I sent Song and Spencer to Claudia Garner in Columbia, SC. When she left for Columbia, I feared for Claudia.
I wrote this after I just returned from visiting Claudia. Song has been with her for about 60 days. I did ride Song this weekend. Claudia has not had a bit of trouble with her since she arrived now she is going well under saddle and she is incredible. My questions are--Is Claudia a magician, did she switch horses, or is she just that good?
I will probably never be able to ride Song, but not because of her behavior, because of her talent. She is far more talented than I. I cannot stay on her trot because of the amount of suspension, and the bold movement. After 60 days in training she is already advanced beyond what I am in my 38 years of riding. Maybe I eventually be able to catch up with Song’s talent and ride the horse that I bred, but until then I hope that I will be able to leave her with Claudia (finances permitting) until she goes all the way to the top. I have decided that it is Claudia’s talent that was able to bring out the talent that I always saw in Song."
Norma Inqui, DVM
Secretary BWP-NAD and Breeder of Belgian Warmbloods
Ranson, WV

"Dear Claudia --
I just had to write and tell you that I had never seen you work before and I was extremely impressed. What a connection you have with the horses!! Especially the stallion. He was a show-off, but a beauty. I can't wait to shoot him. I loved the way you talked to him and he followed your words. You are quite an incredible woman and extremely talented." Deborah Garris, student "Horsemanship Certification Course" Midland's Technical College, Columbia, SC

“She has done wonders for both the performance and the attitude of my stallion. He is now happy and willing in his work and moves forward with a new brilliance.” Laura McHale, President BWP-NAD

“Claudia was able to bring my Trakehner mare and I from First Level to Prix St. George… she worked miracles.”
Sarah Byram , Intergraph , Canada

“Under her supportive education, I turned into a confident rider with a correct seat ….she is one of those rare people …with dedication to excellence…"
Mya Poe,PhD Amherst, Massachusetts

“Claudia Garner is a knowledgeable and effective trainer and instructor. I have enjoyed and benefited from all my sessions with her. She gives me clear reminders to remain on the classical path, and is supportive of my efforts. “
Robin Brueckmann, AHSA Dressage Judge”S” and Grand Prix Competitor