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FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE SIDELINES FEBRUARY 2011 109

Walter accepts his awards during his induction into the Canadian Dressage Owners and Riders Association Hall of Fame

Photo by Christine Derksen

grand prix. “During my induction into the Hall of Fame, many of my former students spoke and one of them said that they ‘learned to ride better and be a better person’ because of me. That was very touching,” Walter said.

A Similar Approach

While the dressage world has benefted from Walter’s commitment to teaching riders how to create a harmonious partnership between horse and rider, it isn’t just the dressage world that studies under Walter. “About four years ago I started working with Pat and Linda Parelli,” Walter says, referring to the world famous husband and wife team who developed the Parelli Method of Natural Horsemanship. “I have much love for horses and riders, and it doesn’t matter what discipline. I still teach the Parellis every other month and they can do everything in a western saddle that my dressage riders can do.”

Walter adds that he and Pat Parelli have the same approach to horsemanship – being kind and gentle with the horses. “Pat has built a great relationship on the ground with his horses and he is so kind. It’s a pleasure to work with the Parellis because they try so hard and they always get better.”

Helping riders get better and achieve their dreams has been a long-running theme of Walter’s life. His counsel is also sought after; he is an Advisor Emeritus to Dressage Today Magazine and an advisor to Premier Equestrian, makers of dressage rings, jumps and stable products.

“Walter teaches you skills that last a lifetime,” says Canadian dressage trainer Eddo Hoekstra, who wrote Walter’s nomination letter for the Hall of Fame. “Walter teaches you how to take your horse to a place where you both feel great. If through his training approach you as a rider can feel like that, you can be sure your horse can feel like that too! That is real team effort, a real partnership, true harmony. That is Walter’s art of training by the proper classical riding principles.”