Los Angeles County has a surprisingly diverse dressage community, ranging from established programs at major equestrian centers to smaller private training barns. For riders looking for dressage lessons, horse training, competition coaching, or a place to develop their skills, the county offers several established options.
The Los Angeles Equestrian Center (LAEC) in Burbank is one of the county's most prominent hubs, while Middle Ranch in Lake View Terrace and The Paddock Riding Club in Los Angeles also have multiple dressage professionals on site. Other trainers operate from private facilities in the San Fernando Valley and Shadow Hills. The programs below are all based in Los Angeles County; out-of-county programs are not included.
1. ICONEQ Dressage — Nicole Weston
Iconeq Dressage is based at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, where LAEC currently lists Nicole Weston under Dressage/Horsemanship in the Polo Barn. ICONEQ provides dressage training, lessons, horse care, rehabilitation, sales and leasing, with programs ranging from beginners through FEI riders. Weston is a USDF Silver and Bronze Medalist and has worked with a variety of breeds and horses at different stages of development.
For riders interested in a dressage-focused program within a major equestrian facility, ICONEQ Dressage training at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center is one of the county's established options.
2. Jaye Cherry Dressage
Jaye Cherry Dressage is another current resident program at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. LAEC lists Jaye Cherry under Dressage in Barn B at its Burbank facility. The program has also been associated with dressage clinics and competition activity at LAEC, including a 2014 clinic involving Hilda Gurney.
For current location and trainer information, the Jaye Cherry dressage program at LAEC is the most direct authoritative reference.
3. Quiet Canyon — Tim Keeling
Quiet Canyon is headed by Tim Keeling and is listed by LAEC under Dressage/Andalusians in Barn C. Its inclusion gives the county's dressage landscape another program with a particular connection to Andalusian horses.
Riders interested in the program can consult the current Los Angeles Equestrian Center trainer directory, which provides Quiet Canyon's current facility affiliation and contact information.
4. Alicante Stables — Abi Burgi
Alicante Stables is another LAEC-based program. The center currently lists Abi Burgi as the trainer, with Alicante Stables offering Dressage & Jumpers from the Burbank facility.
Alicante is therefore an option for riders who want access to dressage training while also having a program that encompasses jumping. The Alicante Stables listing at LAEC provides the current facility information.
5. Laura Goodenkauf Dressage — Fortissimo Farm
Laura Goodenkauf operates her dressage program from Fortissimo Farm in Shadow Hills. Goodenkauf is a USDF Silver Medalist and FEI rider with more than 20 years of professional training and teaching experience. Her program works with horses and riders at different levels and includes horse training, rider development, show coaching, and an OTTB program.
Her private Shadow Hills facility makes Laura Goodenkauf Dressage at Fortissimo Farm a different type of option from the larger multi-trainer equestrian centers in the county.
6. Pacific Dressage — Claudia Roberts
Pacific Dressage, led by Claudia Roberts, has two Los Angeles County locations: Courtship Ranch in Lake View Terrace and Trail Canyon Equestrian Center in Tujunga. Roberts is an FEI competitor, USDF Silver and Bronze Medalist, and graduate of the USDF L program. Her program emphasizes Classical Dressage and Western Dressage and welcomes riders of different experience levels and horses of different breeds and ages.
One geographic detail is worth noting: although Pacific Dressage has Los Angeles County facilities, its 2026 schooling show series is being hosted at Conejo Creek Equestrian Park in Thousand Oaks, which is outside Los Angeles County. Those shows should therefore not be presented as LA County competitions.
For its current locations and programs, see Pacific Dressage's Los Angeles County facilities and training program.
7. Holmberg & Wadeborn Dressage
Holmberg & Wadeborn Dressage is based at Middle Ranch in Lake View Terrace. The program was established by Lars Holmberg, a Swedish-born trainer, and Ulf Wadeborn, also from Sweden. Their program emphasizes classical dressage and European-style training, with both trainers bringing extensive competitive, training and judging experience to the program.
Middle Ranch itself provides a substantial equestrian setting, with boarding and training facilities and dedicated dressage infrastructure. The Holmberg & Wadeborn Dressage program at Middle Ranch is particularly relevant for riders looking for a more traditional classical-dressage approach.
8. Nina Winternheimer Dressage
Nina Winternheimer Dressage is also based at Middle Ranch in Lake View Terrace. Middle Ranch's current trainer directory specifically lists Winternheimer among its professional trainers and identifies the facility as offering Dressage, Hunter, Jumper and Equitation training.
The Middle Ranch setting includes dedicated dressage courts, a covered arena with mirrors, boarding and training services, and access to nearby riding opportunities. Riders interested in Nina Winternheimer Dressage at Middle Ranch can contact the facility or trainer for current availability and program details.
9. Kristina Harrison Dressage
Kristina Harrison Dressage is based at The Paddock Riding Club in Los Angeles. The Paddock's current trainer directory lists Kristina Harrison-Antell specifically under Dressage. The facility is located at 3919 Rigali Avenue in Los Angeles, near the Griffith Park/Atwater Village equestrian area.
The Paddock offers a large equestrian facility with multiple riding arenas and boarding and training services. The Kristina Harrison Dressage listing at The Paddock Riding Club is the best current source for her facility affiliation.
10. Reflection Dressage — Michelle Clarke
Reflection Dressage is the second dressage program currently listed at The Paddock Riding Club. Michelle Clarke is identified by the facility as the trainer, with Reflection Dressage listed specifically under Dressage. The Paddock is located at 3919 Rigali Avenue in Los Angeles, putting the program firmly within Los Angeles County.
Clarke's own background page explains that she moved to Los Angeles, rode for longtime local dressage trainer Jane McCloud, and subsequently established Reflection Dressage. The program describes its approach as maintaining a classical foundation without relying on gimmicks.
For riders looking for a dressage-specific program at The Paddock, Reflection Dressage and Michelle Clarke are worth considering.
Los Angeles County's Dressage Landscape
The county's dressage community is concentrated around several established equestrian facilities rather than a single dominant location. The Los Angeles Equestrian Center currently lists four dressage-oriented resident programs: ICONEQ, Jaye Cherry Dressage, Quiet Canyon and Alicante Stables.
Middle Ranch provides another important concentration, with Holmberg & Wadeborn Dressage and Nina Winternheimer Dressage among its current professional trainers. The Paddock Riding Club likewise has multiple dressage professionals, including Kristina Harrison Dressage and Reflection Dressage.
Outside those larger facilities, programs such as Laura Goodenkauf Dressage and Pacific Dressage provide additional options in the Shadow Hills and northern San Fernando Valley areas. Together, these programs give riders a range of choices depending on their preferred training philosophy, location, facility and competitive goals.
Choosing a Dressage Trainer in Los Angeles County
The best trainer depends on the rider and horse rather than simply on a trainer's competitive résumé. Beginners may want to prioritize teaching style and access to suitable lesson horses, while experienced riders may be more interested in competition coaching, horse development or progression through the dressage levels.
Location also matters. Riders who want a large facility with multiple arenas and frequent equestrian activity may prefer a program at LAEC, Middle Ranch or The Paddock. Those seeking a smaller or more individualized setting may prefer a private training farm.
Before committing, prospective clients should ask about lesson frequency, training arrangements, boarding costs, show coaching, haul-in policies and whether the trainer currently has openings. It is also worth visiting the facility and watching a lesson or training session when possible.
Conclusion
Los Angeles County has a substantial and varied dressage community, with established trainers working from several of the region's best-known equestrian facilities. The Los Angeles Equestrian Center remains a major hub, while Middle Ranch and The Paddock Riding Club provide additional concentrations of dressage professionals. Private programs in Shadow Hills and the northern San Fernando Valley broaden the choices available to local riders.
The ten programs above provide a useful starting point for anyone searching for dressage instruction or horse training in Los Angeles County. Because trainer availability and facility affiliations can change, prospective clients should confirm current locations, services and openings directly before making arrangements.