Linda Hoover is a professional trainer who has worked with a multitude of breeds and disciplines utilizing elements that improve the partnerships of her clients with their horses. She has trained and shown horses who were involved in disciplines of dressage, hunter/jumper, eventing, carriage driving, racing, foxhunting and specialized breed shows (Quarter Horses, Arabian, Morgan, cutting, etc.) in addition to developing horses with well-established trail skills.
Her work speaks to the foundation and refinement of skills that allows any horse, regardless of discipline, to be a more willing and prepared partner.
In 1980, Linda opened her own training business and from that time she has always remained committed to the advancement of her skills. Since 1991, she has worked with a number of the “Masters” of the art of horsemanship. Among these notable horsemen are Buck Brannaman, Tom Curtin, and Ray Hunt. In 2008, Linda attended the first of many symposiums taught by Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, a world-renowned expert on equine biomechanics. She has also received certification through the Western Dressage Association of America (WDAA) Train the Trainers program in 2014.
Linda has recently taken on the role of President of the Western Dressage Association of North Carolina (WDANC). This is the state chapter of the Western Dressage Association of America (WDAA). She is also an Advisory Committee member of North American Western Dressage. Every year she continues to attend educational events to refine her abilities and increase her knowledge. This enables her to offer cutting-edge information and a wide array of skills.
Her experience in the area of physical problems encountered by equine athletes and the role training plays in the rehabilitation also allows her to enhance and maintain their optimal physical and mental performance. She understands and utilizes many of the modalities in the field of integrative medicine (chiropractic manipulation, bodywork, acupuncture, homeopathy, etc.) in addition to conventional veterinary medicine.
Linda is passionate about helping riders and owners discover the joy and benefits of creating harmonious partnerships with their horses. As a teacher and trainer, she loves watching as a spark of understanding is ignited because, at that point, a whole new world opens up.
“Finally a western saddle that provides a custom fit for both the horse and the rider. The western world has lagged behind the English world when it comes to saddle fit until now. For decades, I have struggled with creating an appropriate fit for each horse. I found myself cutting up various foam materials and taping them to the saddle pad in an attempt to make room for the horse’s shoulders, help with bridging and shortening the saddle support area for saddles that were too long for the horse’s back.
With the Schleese Western Saddles, I now have a complete system that easily allows for a custom fit for each horse I ride. Plus, I can customize the seat for myself and anyone else who rides in my saddle including adjusting the stirrup bar position. No more sitting in the chair seat position most western saddles put riders in. I feel like I am sitting in a dressage saddle as I am no longer having to fight an ill-fitting saddle to have correct alignment of my posture.
The ingenuity of the design and quality of workmanship are what I have come to expect from the Jochen and the Schleese Team too. “
Linda Hoover