by Pleasure Horse Journal

PHJ: How do you describe your training style?
Lynn: First, "Training Through Trust". Another motto I use is Training the "LARK" Way. The word L.A.R.K. really describes L for LOVE, A for ACCEPTANCE, R for RESPECT, K for KINDNESS. This describes my passion for the horse, training & teaching methods of any rider, in any disipline. The basis of our training and teaching techniques are Dressage Principles. Dressage is my background of training. I am also self-taught in western and hunt seat. It all related to the natural responses a rider has to the natural habits of a horse.

PHJ: How is this accomplished?
Lynn: This is easily learned by an average rider if he is focused to ride with balance, clear communication from the riders seat, legs and hands, and maintains the goal that the horse is to respond balanced, willingly, smoothly and happily. This focus takes TIME and PRACTICE to learn! There are no short cuts or quick fixes to learn these methods. The hardest thing to learn is using the seat and legs as 80% control of the horse and the hands only 20%. Also imperative, is understanding a balanced horse and how to read your horses responses to you.

PHJ: What is your background?
Lynn: My backround is Dressage training. I first learned this riding and showing in the 60's and 70's. Everything I learned I would practice on my own quarter horses and relate this to all my experience with the 4-H horse programs. The horse I learned most of my training background on was half quarter horse and half saddlebred. My instructor taught me on this horse for 6 years before she felt I was good enough to compete and do exhibitions. This isnt because I was a slow learner, she was a perfectionist! When I learned all of the training steps to collection movements, canter and lead changes, she schooled me on: one tempo, canter Pirouete, Half Passes, Passage, Pieffe, and of course some fun tricks with horses!! This gave me the basis of my training tecniques today. Dressage, means training. Training the horse and rider to unite as one. Through humane and natural methods that will apply to any breed of horse and any disipline of riding. I have not created any new theory in training horses. I incorporate methods used for century's and century's by the Europeans.

PHJ: You are obviously in this for the 'Long Haul'.
Lynn: Yes, I feel that I have been exposed to training methods, that your best young western riders are starting to get the knowledge of. The old time stock horse trainers of the West surely know these methods. Time is the most important factor to use dressage principles with training horses. This will train a horse to last and perform for his entire life! A great example, because everyone knows Rugged Lark--He was performing at his best at 18 years old. Now retired, by choise of the owner, I know not Rugged Lark!! Still at 18 he could have learned more!! Its my goal that longevity training is used so the horse will happly perform in competition or general riding for the rest of his life for his owner.

PHJ: What is your area of expertise?
Lynn: My area of expertise is training an unbroke horse to a finished horse for competition with the above methods plus extensive ground training to truely set good basics of manners and obedience. For me, an expert learns to read the horses personality, sensivity and temperment. This gives me vision as to the time and course to train the horse as an individual using the dressage principles to develope an all around horse. This all around horse in the western world is a horse that performes in both western and hunt seat disciplines. I also cross these methods with hunters/jumpers, cross country horses and lower level dressage horses. It is great fun and pleasure to teach riders these methods. Most everyone I work with in the western world is excited and patient to learn to ride without jerking constantly on the horses mouth, or spurring as a cue or punishment. They also have a passion for the horse and want to work with him, not fight him.

PHJ: Do you have a favorite horse?
Lynn: The favorite horse I have trained is of course, Rugged Lark. Now a close second, is one of his many get I have ridden, a stallion that I own, My Royal Lark. Why? because they have such willing minds and love to work. Along with a great attitude in training, they have the athletic ability to do several diciplines. This is fun for me. My Royal Lark is just beginning in the show ring and I see a great future with him in competing and doing exhibitions.

PHJ: Is your program open to new students?
Lynn: I am very available to work with news students. Both my husband, Cyril Pittion-Rossillon and I have many established equestrian riding programs. They are attended by repeat students every year and new ones join in. We work with all levels of riders! The only requirement we have to teach a rider is that they have a passion for horses and WANT to learn!

PHJ: Clue us in on which of your videos are most helpful...
Lynn: You could visit my web site for the information on my videos. They are all very popular. The 'Dressage Principles' has sold very well! Just released at the AQHA World Show is the 3-part series on 'Hunt Seat Equitation'. It is for the rider wanting to learn to ride hunt seat, the rider who wants to advance is hunt seat riding, and for the rider who wants to win more in the show ring! It covers all levels of riders, as does all my videos.

PHJ: Thank you Lynn! We would like to hear from you again sometime! [Her current contact number is Fox Grove Farm 352-629-3310 phone/fax - Email: royalpalm@portup.com]
>>>>Check out Lynn's Royal Palm Ranch Article !