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    Dan Bizzarro eventing competition
    Dan Bizzarro coaching clinic with riders and horses
    Dan Bizzarro coaching at show jumping arena
    Dressage training session with Dan Bizzarro
    Cross country coaching over natural obstacles
    Show jumping training clinic

    Improve Your Ridingwith The Dan Bizzarro Method

    Become a confident, skilled rider and get better results!

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    Google Reviews
    5.0(11)

    "Dan is a fantastic trainer and for anyone committed to improving their eventing partnership and performance, he is the man!"

    — Amanda

    "Dan is a great coach who offers simple yet effective methods of training the horse and rider. I have found him especially helpful with young green horses. He is good at focusing the rider on the important principles of training. This has allowed me to keep calm under pressure."

    — Tiffany

    "I have had lessons with Dan for a number of years and strongly recommend him. He does well with a range of horses and riders and really works hard on all combinations of horse and rider. He helped me with a horse with previous injuries and we improved substantially achieving very increased BD scores and he gave me the confidence to work through problems systematically. I thoroughly recommend him."

    — Judy Rorison

    "Dan delivers superb clinics where everyone works with real intensity. He worked with my daughter with her first horse and instilled great discipline and she really enjoyed the sessions. We travelled to Lyneham for sessions and really made great progress every session. I highly recommend Dan."

    — Francesca

    "Dan has been teaching me and my horse Primrose for a number of years now. Even though I don't compete anymore I still have a weekly lesson with him. My horse is now 22 yrs old and thanks to Dan is still fit and supple. He makes every lesson fun and is always thinking of new and interesting exercises to do."

    — Fiona McKenzie

    "Dan is a great instructor, in lessons he always helps me work hard and have fun which has helped me improve so much. Thanks to Dan, I've become a better rider and have learned so many valuable skills."

    — Olivia

    "I have been training with Dan for the last four and a half years and he's brought on my riding in countless ways and helped me achieve many of my goals. Each session is different and specific to what needs working on at that moment in time, he always has methods and exercises that tackle an issue head on to produce the best performance from not only me but also my horse."

    — Katie Ball

    "Dan's tuition and detailed training has helped me improve my riding way more than I expected. He provides real encouragement and tailored individual coaching that allows both horse and rider to develop their potential."

    — Ben Atkinson

    "Dan's experience with horses makes him an excellent instructor. I have found the exercises he provides are really helpful and have improved my riding a lot. If I am worried he breaks down the exercise into smaller steps which really boosts my confidence and helps me know how to deal with situations that make me nervous."

    — Hannah

    "Dan's coaching is an absolute class apart from all the others. Every lesson throws up something to work on to improve plus it's progressive and logical always showing how the little things make such a difference. Coaching is an art and Dan inspires me always to improve. From sometimes stroppy and quirky I now have a calm happy focused girl wanting to please."

    — Sue Dear

    "Dan has been coaching my daughter Grace for over two years, and has been absolutely inspirational. He has progressed Grace and Flicker from being a capable but unskilled team, to one that is regularly fighting for winning honours at 90 ODE's. His ability to communicate what he is teaching in a straightforward way no matter the level of rider is definitely his USP. I've gone from saying I'll never jump to pinging over XC fences at Lyneham this summer!"

    — Emma Chapple

    "Dan is a fantastic trainer and for anyone committed to improving their eventing partnership and performance, he is the man!"

    — Amanda

    "Dan is a great coach who offers simple yet effective methods of training the horse and rider. I have found him especially helpful with young green horses. He is good at focusing the rider on the important principles of training. This has allowed me to keep calm under pressure."

    — Tiffany

    "I have had lessons with Dan for a number of years and strongly recommend him. He does well with a range of horses and riders and really works hard on all combinations of horse and rider. He helped me with a horse with previous injuries and we improved substantially achieving very increased BD scores and he gave me the confidence to work through problems systematically. I thoroughly recommend him."

    — Judy Rorison

    "Dan delivers superb clinics where everyone works with real intensity. He worked with my daughter with her first horse and instilled great discipline and she really enjoyed the sessions. We travelled to Lyneham for sessions and really made great progress every session. I highly recommend Dan."

    — Francesca

    "Dan has been teaching me and my horse Primrose for a number of years now. Even though I don't compete anymore I still have a weekly lesson with him. My horse is now 22 yrs old and thanks to Dan is still fit and supple. He makes every lesson fun and is always thinking of new and interesting exercises to do."

    — Fiona McKenzie

    "Dan is a great instructor, in lessons he always helps me work hard and have fun which has helped me improve so much. Thanks to Dan, I've become a better rider and have learned so many valuable skills."

    — Olivia

    "I have been training with Dan for the last four and a half years and he's brought on my riding in countless ways and helped me achieve many of my goals. Each session is different and specific to what needs working on at that moment in time, he always has methods and exercises that tackle an issue head on to produce the best performance from not only me but also my horse."

    — Katie Ball

    "Dan's tuition and detailed training has helped me improve my riding way more than I expected. He provides real encouragement and tailored individual coaching that allows both horse and rider to develop their potential."

    — Ben Atkinson

    "Dan's experience with horses makes him an excellent instructor. I have found the exercises he provides are really helpful and have improved my riding a lot. If I am worried he breaks down the exercise into smaller steps which really boosts my confidence and helps me know how to deal with situations that make me nervous."

    — Hannah

    "Dan's coaching is an absolute class apart from all the others. Every lesson throws up something to work on to improve plus it's progressive and logical always showing how the little things make such a difference. Coaching is an art and Dan inspires me always to improve. From sometimes stroppy and quirky I now have a calm happy focused girl wanting to please."

    — Sue Dear

    "Dan has been coaching my daughter Grace for over two years, and has been absolutely inspirational. He has progressed Grace and Flicker from being a capable but unskilled team, to one that is regularly fighting for winning honours at 90 ODE's. His ability to communicate what he is teaching in a straightforward way no matter the level of rider is definitely his USP. I've gone from saying I'll never jump to pinging over XC fences at Lyneham this summer!"

    — Emma Chapple

    Most Riders Work Hard… But Still Feel Stuck

    If you're dealing with a strong horse, a spooky horse, a lazy horse, or one that rushes into fences or leans on the contact, you're not alone. Many riders feel unsure what to fix first, or how to improve balance, straightness, transitions and confidence. Without a clear training method, progress becomes unpredictable and frustrating.

    Horse not listening to the leg

    Top Tip:

    Take your legs off, then give a quick tap tap with your legs. Make your horse react quickly (almost overreact), then take your legs off and reward. Repeat as many times as you need.

    Rushing or pulling towards fences

    Top Tip:

    Do lots of canter to walk and canter to halt transitions (until they feel very easy), then trot slowly towards a small fence and halt just after (until you can soften your contact in the approach). Do the same in canter.

    Losing balance or falling in/out

    Top Tip:

    In a 20m circle halt every 5 seconds (directly from trot) until it feels very easy. Then ask your horse to make the circle 2m bigger using your inside leg near the girth and then 2m smaller using your outside leg near the girth. Make your horse react quickly!

    Tension or lack of focus

    Top Tip:

    Bombard your horse with lots of simple questions from the very beginning of the session. Transitions, small circles, halts, rein back, leg yield in, leg yield out. Do it in walk first, then introduce the trot. One new question every 5 seconds.

    Struggling with straightness

    Top Tip:

    Trot for 5 seconds, walk for 5 seconds, trot for 5 seconds, halt. Do it staying a couple of yards away from the track. Then leg yield in a couple of feet, leg yield out a couple of feet. Keep doing it whilst you introduce transitions within the trot.

    Inconsistent rhythm or contact

    Top Tip:

    Trot for 5 seconds, walk for 5 seconds. Not 4, or 6! Make sure that the transitions are sharp. Only then ask for roundness during the transition.

    "Riding your horse shoudn't be hard. You deserve clear steps that actually help your horse understand you."

    You're Not Doing Anything Wrong — You Just Need a Clearer System

    I've coached thousands of riders who felt exactly like you do now. Horses that rush, drift, get tight, ignore the legs or lose focus. Riders who feel they're always correcting something but never getting ahead of the problem. I understand how frustrating that feels.

    Dan Bizzarro competing in dressage at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials
    Dan Bizzarro competing in cross country at Hartpury Open Championship

    With more than 20 years of experience coaching dressage, show jumping and event riders, having competed at the highest level in eventing — represented Italy in Nations Cups and the 2025 European Championships, shortlisted for the 2024 Paris Olympics — and having worked with world-class riders and coaches (William Fox-Pitt, Caroline Moore, Ian Woodhead), I've developed a simple method that works for every horse and every rider.

    The Dan Bizzarro Method gives you clarity, improves communication, and builds real confidence — whether you ride for fun or compete at the highest level.

    My approach focuses on the fundamentals: balance, rhythm, straightness and clear aids. When these are in place, everything else becomes easier — from flatwork to jumping to competing under pressure.

    Dan Bizzarro on the podium at Boekelo international eventing competition

    A Simple Plan That Works for Everyone

    1

    Get Clarity

    We look at your horse's balance, reactions, focus and way of going. You finally understand what's causing the problem — not just the symptoms.

    2

    Follow the Method

    You use straightforward exercises that improve contact, rhythm, gears, lines and self-carriage. No overcomplication. No gimmicks.

    3

    Build Confidence

    You and your horse develop habits that actually stick. Each week feels easier, clearer and more enjoyable.

    Imagine Riding a Horse Who Listens, Stays Soft and Feels Easy to Train

    More balanced and adjustable canter
    Softer, more consistent contact
    Clear reactions to the leg and hand
    Less rushing, less spooking, less tension
    Safer, more confident jumping
    Better accuracy and straightness
    A horse who works with you — not against you
    A rider who knows exactly what to work on
    Dan Bizzarro coaching a rider during a lesson

    "This isn't about being brave. It's about having clarity — so your horse becomes easier, softer and more confident every time you ride."

    Without a Clear Method, the Problems Don't Go Away

    When riders guess their way through schooling, the same issues repeat themselves. Horses build bad habits, riders lose confidence, and training becomes a cycle of managing problems instead of improving them.

    Ongoing contact issues
    Rushing or stopping at fences
    Loss of balance and straightness
    More spooking and tension
    No clear progression in flatwork or jumping
    Frustration and lack of confidence

    It doesn't need to be like this.

    Choose How You Want to Start

    Dan Bizzarro coaching a private riding lesson

    Private Lessons

    Personal, focused coaching tailored to you and your horse in Oxfordshire.

    Horse riding clinics across the UK

    Clinics Across the UK

    Small-group coaching to build confidence and improve accuracy.

    Virtual riding lesson on laptop screen

    Virtual Lessons

    Real-time coaching using Pivo from anywhere in the world.

    Rider listening to audio lessons while riding

    Audio Lessons

    Listen and learn at your own pace with guided audio coaching.

    Riders See Real Progress With the Dan Bizzarro Method

    "Dan is a fantastic trainer and for anyone committed to improving their eventing partnership and performance, he is the man!"

    Amanda

    "Dan is a great coach who offers simple yet effective methods of training the horse and rider. I have found him especially helpful with young green horses. He is good at focusing the rider on the important principles of training. This has allowed me to keep calm under pressure."

    Tiffany

    "I have had lessons with Dan for a number of years and strongly recommend him. He does well with a range of horses and riders and really works hard on all combinations of horse and rider. He helped me with a horse with previous injuries and we improved substantially achieving very increased BD scores and he gave me the confidence to work through problems systematically. I thoroughly recommend him."

    Judy Rorison

    "Dan delivers superb clinics where everyone works with real intensity. He worked with my daughter with her first horse and instilled great discipline and she really enjoyed the sessions. We travelled to Lyneham for sessions and really made great progress every session. I highly recommend Dan."

    Francesca

    "Dan has been teaching me and my horse Primrose for a number of years now. Even though I don't compete anymore I still have a weekly lesson with him. My horse is now 22 yrs old and thanks to Dan is still fit and supple. He makes every lesson fun and is always thinking of new and interesting exercises to do."

    Fiona McKenzie

    "Dan is a great instructor, in lessons he always helps me work hard and have fun which has helped me improve so much. Thanks to Dan, I've become a better rider and have learned so many valuable skills."

    Olivia

    "I have been training with Dan for the last four and a half years and he's brought on my riding in countless ways and helped me achieve many of my goals. Each session is different and specific to what needs working on at that moment in time, he always has methods and exercises that tackle an issue head on to produce the best performance from not only me but also my horse."

    Katie Ball

    "Dan's tuition and detailed training has helped me improve my riding way more than I expected. He provides real encouragement and tailored individual coaching that allows both horse and rider to develop their potential."

    Ben Atkinson

    "Dan's experience with horses makes him an excellent instructor. I have found the exercises he provides are really helpful and have improved my riding a lot. If I am worried he breaks down the exercise into smaller steps which really boosts my confidence and helps me know how to deal with situations that make me nervous."

    Hannah

    "Dan's coaching is an absolute class apart from all the others. Every lesson throws up something to work on to improve plus it's progressive and logical always showing how the little things make such a difference. Coaching is an art and Dan inspires me always to improve. From sometimes stroppy and quirky I now have a calm happy focused girl wanting to please."

    Sue Dear

    "Dan has been coaching my daughter Grace for over two years, and has been absolutely inspirational. He has progressed Grace and Flicker from being a capable but unskilled team, to one that is regularly fighting for winning honours at 90 ODE's. His ability to communicate what he is teaching in a straightforward way no matter the level of rider is definitely his USP. I've gone from saying I'll never jump to pinging over XC fences at Lyneham this summer!"

    Emma Chapple

    "Dan is a fantastic trainer and for anyone committed to improving their eventing partnership and performance, he is the man!"

    Amanda

    "Dan is a great coach who offers simple yet effective methods of training the horse and rider. I have found him especially helpful with young green horses. He is good at focusing the rider on the important principles of training. This has allowed me to keep calm under pressure."

    Tiffany

    "I have had lessons with Dan for a number of years and strongly recommend him. He does well with a range of horses and riders and really works hard on all combinations of horse and rider. He helped me with a horse with previous injuries and we improved substantially achieving very increased BD scores and he gave me the confidence to work through problems systematically. I thoroughly recommend him."

    Judy Rorison

    "Dan delivers superb clinics where everyone works with real intensity. He worked with my daughter with her first horse and instilled great discipline and she really enjoyed the sessions. We travelled to Lyneham for sessions and really made great progress every session. I highly recommend Dan."

    Francesca

    "Dan has been teaching me and my horse Primrose for a number of years now. Even though I don't compete anymore I still have a weekly lesson with him. My horse is now 22 yrs old and thanks to Dan is still fit and supple. He makes every lesson fun and is always thinking of new and interesting exercises to do."

    Fiona McKenzie

    "Dan is a great instructor, in lessons he always helps me work hard and have fun which has helped me improve so much. Thanks to Dan, I've become a better rider and have learned so many valuable skills."

    Olivia

    "I have been training with Dan for the last four and a half years and he's brought on my riding in countless ways and helped me achieve many of my goals. Each session is different and specific to what needs working on at that moment in time, he always has methods and exercises that tackle an issue head on to produce the best performance from not only me but also my horse."

    Katie Ball

    "Dan's tuition and detailed training has helped me improve my riding way more than I expected. He provides real encouragement and tailored individual coaching that allows both horse and rider to develop their potential."

    Ben Atkinson

    "Dan's experience with horses makes him an excellent instructor. I have found the exercises he provides are really helpful and have improved my riding a lot. If I am worried he breaks down the exercise into smaller steps which really boosts my confidence and helps me know how to deal with situations that make me nervous."

    Hannah

    "Dan's coaching is an absolute class apart from all the others. Every lesson throws up something to work on to improve plus it's progressive and logical always showing how the little things make such a difference. Coaching is an art and Dan inspires me always to improve. From sometimes stroppy and quirky I now have a calm happy focused girl wanting to please."

    Sue Dear

    "Dan has been coaching my daughter Grace for over two years, and has been absolutely inspirational. He has progressed Grace and Flicker from being a capable but unskilled team, to one that is regularly fighting for winning honours at 90 ODE's. His ability to communicate what he is teaching in a straightforward way no matter the level of rider is definitely his USP. I've gone from saying I'll never jump to pinging over XC fences at Lyneham this summer!"

    Emma Chapple

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