Trainers at West Spring Stud

Find out more about the West Spring Stud Trainers

West Spring Stud are pleased to be able to offer a selection great trainers that run our series of Rider Training Clinics. Each has their own area of expertise.

Peter Maddison-Greenwell 

Founder & Director of El Caballo de Espana, The First Equestrian Theatre, Maddison-Greenwell Equestrian

Danielle Lawniczak MRSS

Shiatsu Practitioner & Co Founder & Director of El Caballo de Espana.

Peter and his partner Danielle Lawniczak are two of the most underestimated and talented people I have had the privilege to know. Peter’s consummate ability to train horses, and in particular Spanish and Lusitano horses, from the very basics to the most advanced, complicated and seriously difficult movements of Doma Vaquera are undertaken with the utmost dedication to correctness.

Peter is an absolute perfectionist, and rightly so – he has high expectations of himself, his horses and his pupils although he never loses sight of the fact that any lesson must contain 3 elements – participation, understanding and cooperation. To have the advantage of lessons with Peter is akin to learning how to paint with Rembrandt or to write poetry with Wordsworth – the overall picture will be become one of beauty and harmony.

West Spring Stud recommends Peter, not only as an instructor but also as a mentor to anyone wishing to take their riding to a higher level. Peter is perfectly happy to teach novice riders – who will undoubtedly have the benefit of learning correctly and thoroughly from the basics up. Any pupil wishing to really push their boundaries will see the results of their teamwork with Peter taking them and their horse further than they could imagine.

Peter is unpretentious and full of humor but understands the relationship between a trainer, rider and horse is a conversation based on trust and honesty.

With his partner Danielle Lawniczac, who is a qualified human and equine shiatsu practitioner, they combine a comprehensive and sympathetic knowledge of the very foundations on which good riding is established.

Most of us ride slightly unbalanced, are one-sided or suffer from stiffness in one form or another; these principles apply to our horses. The training exercises we undertake with them, as part of general schooling, improve if we and they, are not stiff, one-sided or unbalanced. A shiatsu treatment from Danielle can identify and improve the areas which often hinders the progress of both horse and rider.

Shiatsu is commonly used to treat the following symptoms:-

• back pain
• headaches
• migraines
• whiplash & neck stiffness
• joint pain, reduced mobility
• menstrual problems
• digestive problems
• asthmatic symptoms
• sports injuries
• depression
• stress

For me, a lesson and a shiatsu treatment feels as good as having a holiday!

Bruno Rodrigues da Silva

Riding Instructor at the Casal do Penedo Center/Resina Antunes Stud Farm Portugal – National Champion Working Equitation 2007/2008. European team Champion 2008.

Bruno began seriously riding and competing with show jumping horses in Portugal over 20 years ago. He now manages the Resina Antunes stud and working in partnership with the owner, Alberto Resina, he produces the stud’s Lusitano competition dressage and Working Equitation horses.

This combination has bred and produced a number of horses who have made it onto both the Portuguese and U.K. Working Equitation teams.

Bruno has also competed British Dressage at Prix St Georges and has developed a wide client-base in this country. His pupils range from young pony-club children to more established partnerships with a variety of breeds of horses. Bruno has a straightforward attitude and shows great attention to detail, he appreciates seeing his pupils and their horses progress. West Spring Stud is proud to host clinics with Bruno who fortunately is fluent in English!

Marcia Wakeman

British Dressage rider – British Working Equitation Team member Bronze medal 2009 – In-hand and Ridden Showing – specialising in Lusitano and Spanish horses.

Marcia Wakeman embodies the qualities which any professional rider/trainer requires. She is determined, not only for herself but for her clients and has provided many riders with the tools to take them further than they had ever imagined. Marcia’s lessons are structured and are guaranteed to ensure the rider has an unmistakable awareness of self-improvement. Marcia is a very intuitive trainer and takes her pupil’s forwards with imperceptible composure which is guaranteed to give confidence.

Mark Boxall

British Eventing, British Dressage – Kent based rider and trainer.

With the ease and charm which comes from his Australian background, Mark’s first love is eventing. He has also efficiently achieved considerable success as a British dressage rider. This has helped him to develop a skillful ability to provide his pupils with the tools to understand their fundamental riding problems.

If you show jump, ride cross-country or need to improve your dressage – Mark can tailor your lesson to improve your riding for any of these equestrian disciplines. Mark also specializes in difficult horses and spoilt or headstrong youngsters.

Mark was invited to become a show horse rider on a clients’ Lusitano mare at The Royal Windsor Horse Show and the horse was highly placed in a very competitive field just another example of his broad range of equestrian talents.

For more information about any of our Rider Training Clinics or Trainers at West Spring Stud please contact us on enquiries@westspringstud.co.uk