The new classic
Ever fancied trying your hand at classical dressage? Trainer Natasha Olivant imparts the key lessons to be learnt
EXCLUSIVE Horse AND Rider magazine interview
Photos: Toby Adamson Photography
Natasha Olivant’s dedicated her life to enlightening as many riders as possible with the teachings of classical dressage. She founded the Classical Riding Academy (CR A) in the hopes of creating a riding school with a difference, one that would promote the key elements of classical dressage that she noticed are often lacking at regular riding schools.
Nestled within the 12,000-acre Goodwood Estate in beautiful West Sussex, the academy has riders flock from far and wide to ride one of its stunning Iberian horses and learn the art for themselves. H&R chatted with Natasha to find out what makes her riding school so unique.
Meet Natasha
Natasha had her first taste of classical dressage when she was 12 years old. She was lucky enough to have access to a trainer who was already touching on what’s now known as biomechanics, at a time when it wasn’t widely thought about. She achieved her BHSAI and taught for several years, but was often surprised to notice that many riders lacked training in important basic skills. So, in 2016, she founded the Classical Riding Academy (CRA) to impart her wisdom, with the broader mission of keeping ridden horses happier under saddle.