Presence is what dressage is all about, believes Roanne Froh, and Froh's presence doing dressage is certainly worth observing. Talent for dressage encompasses this equestrian. When you see her at a show, do not be surprised if she competes with not only one FEI-Level horse, but perhaps six horses, all competing at varying levels. Froh had numerous wins in 1988. Her horse, Argentinus, recently sold, was Horse of the Year for the USDF/AHSA International Level 1.

Reared in London, she schooled the flat work for Princess Anne's event horses at the age of 17, and competed the Queen's horses.

"Event riders, however", she explained "only compete up to third level, and with my talent for the flat work, I decided to specialize in dressage. A judge who was a friend at this time (the year was 1977), arranged an interview for me in Germany, the country I was told dominated the world in dressage. I always knew that I wanted to train horses, so accepting a position in Germany was an easy decision. Ironically, at the time of my decision to specialize in dressage, my own horse, named Waterwheel, qualified for an international three-day event at Badminton."

First Job in Germany

"I interviewed for a job breaking and training young Swedish warmblood stallions in Bremen, Germany, for the former owner of Electron (Ellin Dixons breeding stallion). My employers arranged for me to have lessons with Herbert Rehbein, one of Europe's top trainers. Rehbein was five times champion professional trainer in Germany.

"I trained these stallions up to Fourth Level and even won a championship at M Level (equivalent to Third and Fourth Levels here) at the Bremen International Dressage Show. I decided I wanted to learn how to train a horse to Grand Prix, so I took another position in Trier, Germany, where the horses were older. I continued my studies with Rehbein despite the extra distance. I have adapted many of Rehbeins methods, although I combine training tactics from England, too, where I had a lot of experience riding Thoroughbred horses."

Froh rides from the leg, not from the hand and this, she says, is the good German method, despite what many believe here. "Americans also think that, in Germany, riders sit too far back, with their leg out in front. This, too, is an inaccurate concept of the German method." Froh believes proper position requires that the ears, shoulders, hips, and ankles are not only aligned, but relaxed in order to feel and communicate with the horse, sharing the same center of gravity.

"Upon preparing to take the national riding examinations in Germany", explains Froh, "in order to become a professional woman trainer there, I was invited to visit America and give a few riding clinics. Straight away, in December of 1984, I was offered a job in Ohio, ironically training imported German warmbloods."