Sarah-Jane Clarke (S-J) is a Dressage rider and International Instructor of thirty years originating from Suffolk in the United Kingdom. She was introduced to horses through a very kind friend of the family who rescued them. Many fond memories were spent sitting amongst this large herd in some of the rarest water meadows of beautiful East Anglia. There was a huge calmness over these horses as they had finally found a safe place in which they would never leave. Watching how they interacted with each other and being accepted into the herd was the start of a never ending learning process for S-J. After finishing her degree at Aberystwyth University, Wales, S-J went on to manage several renowned yards throughout Europe and Andalusia. During this duration she also studied at the Royal Spanish Riding School in Jerez and under many Classical trainers. She then settled and began her own business based in Southern Spain which was to become her permanent home.
Her love and enthusiasm for the Iberian horse has been with her ever since a young child. Their beauty and character can never be faulted. This grew even stronger when she first arrived on Spanish soil as part of a work experience period back in the early 1990´s. After which she was never to leave. One evening while introducing a young horse to the sea she was mystified by a man schooling a beautiful black Spanish stallion on the beach. The horse and rider moved with such effortless grace and yet had an amazing presence. The silhouette against the back drop of the sunset of a perfectly muscled baroque horse and quiet effortless rider made the direction on the path of learning very clear.
Growing up Sarah-Jane had always felt there was another way to the conventional methods that were standardly taught. Spain and its wonderful horses has enabled her to pursue her love, dream and destiny to teach and train a softer, clearer and correct way of connecting with these amazing animals. A way that can be used with any equestrian discipline, breed of horse or level of rider. Sarah-Jane will open her heart and knowledge to anyone wanting to learn and experience working with this unique breed and her amazing team that she completely devotes her life to. Known to all of those that know Sarah-Jane as her “Mob”.
“What we teach at Elite Andalusians and the School of Compassionate Dressage is a foundation to pure horsemanship. The base for any horse discipline. There is no system, no trickery, no technique, just lessons in what pure balance is. How to feel it, how to see it and how to breath it. Learning how the horse develops and when it is able to advance with training without detrimental effects mentally, or, physically . There is no lie in true balance. It is either there, or, it is not. When it is not and systems of mechanical training are used without realization we cause detrimental long term effects to the horse. Once balance is understood everything starts to fall into place in the right manner. Understanding our horses becomes easier. When ready movements are given to us at the moment the horse is able. Horsemanship is direction not command. Understanding how balance changes within the horse as it grows and develops over time. The same with the rider. Becoming aware of our own body, our own mind, our energy and learning to adapt it totally to the horse. Feeling the changes as they occur. Every horse is an individual as is every human. There can never be one way. Only common sense and the ability to adapt. Balance is the most important factor in every part of life. It is patience that is the hardest thing for humans to learn. Anybody can ride no matter what their age, shape or size…..it is our ability to accept and respect that makes us the real horse person.”
Sarah-Jane Clarke May 2024