Alex Gerding

Alex Gerding was born in Graefelfing, Munic. He has been in the U.S. since October 2000. Alex has more than twenty years experience as a professional with horses in Germany. In 1989 he achieved the first level of horsemaster �Bereiter�, and was decorated with the bronze stensbeck-medaille. He earned his final professional rank, the Pferdewirtschaftsmeister degree, and was decorated with the silver stensbeck � medaille, in 2001 by the German National Riding Federation.

Alex says, "Individuals who had an impact on my career are Uwe Mechlem, judge at the Olympics at Atlanta and international grand-prix judge, also chief of German Dressage International Young Rider Team, chief of German Dressage National Committee. I stayed three years with Uwe to prepare for the Bereiter. Also Michael Putz, another international Grand-Prix judge, author of the German Handbooks for Educational Riding (books of general rules), and former Chief of Westphalian Riding School was a very important teacher, giving the last preparation for the test to become a Pferdewirtschaftsmeister." <

Licensed as an R judge in 1995 in Warendorf, Alex audited clinics with Conrad Schumacher and Anke Froemming, international Grand-Prix judge and leader of all training for R judges in Germany, also an author of German Handbooks. Alex practiced as a judge up to fourth level, also judging conformation and equitation classes, and young horses and young riders.

As a competitor Alex has won countless ribbons in dressage and jumping, including conformation and equitation classes for young horses. He is able to show and compete up to Grand-Prix.

Alex has eleven years experience running large training facilities and riding schools as a self-responsive manager and trainer. His experience includes advertising, marketing, organization and sales. He is certified and registered to run working student programs recognized by the German Riding Federation.

His clinics in the U.S. have resulted in great success by his students, including bringing a horse and student from first level to qualifying scores in third level in six months. He has developed single flying lead changes, as well as piaffe and passage on several horses for American clients. Alex has a strong backgound in teaching dressage, and schooling piaffe and passage in hand.

Alex says, "My main philosophy is that a good instructor from the ground should also be able to ride a student`s horse, to feel the senses of the animal, or to correct a problem. The instructor`s skills of training and theoretical knowledge must reach from the very basics up to Grand-Prix."