David is a USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medalist and an accomplished Grand Prix dressage rider and trainer known for developing horses and riders through a calm, structured, and classical approach. His international experience and proven record of training horses to the highest levels make him one of the most trusted dressage professionals in the Austin, Texas region.
Professional Overview
David has successfully developed seven horses through Grand Prix, completing his most recent in 2024. He was short-listed for the 2012 Olympic Games and selected to represent Great Britain on the 2020 short tour, reflecting a career shaped by elite European training and sustained performance at the highest levels of dressage. In 2017, he competed with Catch of the Day at the Grand Prix, earning an impressive 70.3%, a horse he personally developed through the levels and remembers with great admiration for his talent and heart. David’s career demonstrates both deep FEI competition experience and a long-term commitment to classical, correct development.
As a Grand Prix competitor and FEI coach, David brings a rare combination of top-level performance and patient, methodical training. He has coached riders from their first dressage lessons to the FEI levels, offering a clear, structured progression for adult amateurs, juniors, and competitive riders seeking correct, long-term development.
His Grand Prix partner, West Mt. Winston, earned a USDF Performance Certificate at Grand Prix and multiple national honors, an example of David's ability to make a horse through thoughtful, systematic training rooted in classical principles.
White Fences Equestrian Center, prioritizes purposeful, structured development for both horse and rider. David's approach aligns seamlessly with the White Fences Rider Program™, reinforcing:
Purpose-Driven Progress: Advancing horse and rider correctly through each stage
Structured Development: Clarity, repetition, and incremental progression
Values-Led Community: Calm, respectful training rooted in integrity and horsemanship
Classical Dressage Principles: Biomechanics, balance, and correct basics at every level
For riders seeking correct training, long-term development, and a grounded yet elite learning environment, David offers deep expertise and steady, confident guidance.
David's philosophy centers on classical dressage training, horse-and-rider balance, and methodical progression:
Establish strong fundamentals before advancing
Focus on clarity, confidence, and trust
Develop horses with patience, rhythm, and straightness
Introduce FEI work only when the foundation is secure
Support riders with consistent feedback and monthly progress evaluations
This measured, correct approach allows both green horses and advanced riders to progress confidently, without shortcuts.
Mentorship
David also serves as a mentor to the White Fences training team, offering structured guidance that supports each instructor’s continued development. Through regular review sessions, shared training plans, and consistent communication, he helps ensure a unified, thoughtful approach across the program. Even when traveling for clinics or competition, David remains closely involved, providing direction, refining standards, and supporting ongoing professional growth. His mentorship strengthens the quality and consistency of instruction at White Fences, elevating the daily experience for riders while fostering a culture of integrity, learning, and classical correctness.
