Training with Rebecca Hughes

From Novice level to Advanced, Classic Dressage International provides the very best in dressage training for both horse and rider.

• Individual instruction with the learning process kept simple, yet effective and enjoyable
• Our aim is for your horse to reach his/her full potential with a planned schooling programme
• Rebecca Hughes is a specialist in producing young horses

Having started riding at 10 years old at her local riding school in Belgium, Rebecca got her first pony when she moved back to England where she enjoyed the usual teenage activities of Pony Club, hunting and local shows. With regular weekly lessons Rebecca had an unexpected breakthrough when she won the Talent Spotting Finals in 1991. The following year she joined Sarah Whitmore for a year as a working pupil and had many successes as a Young Rider including being selected to represent Great Britain in Canada in 1994.

In 1998 Rebecca joined forces with Julia Hornig to set up Classic Dressage and has to date chosen, started and produced young horses every year through to the National Championships.

In 2001 she won the 5 year old National Championship on her own Classic Collection and in 2011 she won both the Hickstead National 6 year old Championship and the Shearwater National Championship on Classic Ballerina.

Rebecca also found and started the hugely successful Classic Sandman on whom her husband Gareth won both the Prix St George and Intermediaire 1 National Championships in 2007. They also won both Hartpury and Hickstead Internationals that year. In 2011 Classic Sandman won the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special in Compiegne, France with over 70%.

Apart from huge success sourcing and competing the young horses, Rebecca has enjoyed many opportunities to represent Great Britain Internationally at Small Tour Level. She was placed in Sydney in 2005 and again in Japan (whilst pregnant with daughter Ruby!) in 2007.

In 2008 Rebecca won the Prix St George Freestyle National Championship on Felicity Scott's Shining Light and went on to be 2nd at Hartpury International having just missed top spot on collective marks to the infamous Carl Hester! Over the following 3 years Rebecca and Shining Light were consistently ranked in the top 7 British Small Tour rankings and were placed in the top 10 at Hickstead Internationals, Hartpury Internationals, Hansbeke in Belgium and at the National Championships at Psg and Intermediaire 1.

In 2011 Rebecca was Prix St George Regional Champion on Helen Illes' Korenbloem Titaan W whom she purchased from Classic Dressage . Rebecca trained him through the levels to International Small Tour level.

For the future:

Rebecca has just started campaigning Lorraine Sattin's Rubini Royale at Small Tour Level. They were placed at the Premier Leagues in 2012 and competed in Compiegne, France and are looking forward to stepping up to Grand Prix in 2013.

Helen Illes's 6 year old Sirocco will be campaigned at Medium and Advanced Medium in 2013. Sourced by Rebecca as a 3 year in Holland they were placed 4th at Hickstead Young Championships and 5th at the National Championships in 2011.

Robert Schimanko's very exciting Classic Agassi will be starting Small Tour in 2013. Watch this space!

And 6 year old Classic Briolinca will also hopefully be making an appearance at medium and advanced medium soon.

And of course more exciting young horses will be coming out!

* Rebecca is firmly establishing herself as a very effective trainer of all levels including Young Riders and Eventers.

* Rebecca is a British Dressage listed judge

* Rebecca is renowned for having an excellent eye for finding and starting talented horses.

Why not let Rebecca and her team help you along in the right direction with you and your horse?