About Sheri

Sheri has ridden all her life. She's tried just about every discipline of riding and owned many breeds of horse. Her desire to create harmony with horses lead her to devote her career to dressage.

• Trained for many years with the late dressage master, Dietrich von Hopfgarten before and while working forHarry and Helen Polonitza at Seabreeze Farm
• Over the years, Sheri has riden in clinics with many highly respected classical trainers including Paul Belasik and Olympic Silver Medalist and Pferdewirtschaftsmeister, Jurgen Hofler
• USDF Bronze Medalist

Sheri believes that dressage training can benefit any horse and rider in any discipline. Whether you are striving towards upper level championships or just want to be a more confident, skilled rider, Sheri will work to ensure you are solid in the basics of classical dressage.

Student Testimonials

As a mature rider, I had the pleasure of meeting Sheri Heiar in 1996. Having ridden as a child I returned to riding to find I knew very little. When the opportunity came to become a working student in 1997, I took on the task which only enhanced my horsemanship. When I was faced with two major surgeries and the loss of my mount, Sheri not only encouraged me as a rider but supported me as a friend. Murphy is now my Third Level evel horse only due to Sheri's uncanny ability as an equestrian "matchmaker". She has continued over the years to provide me with the knowledge and support to continue to ride dressage. Sheri is one of those rare individuals who is a true horsewoman. She coaches from the horse's perspective as well as from the rider's, giving the rider a deep understanding as to why their horse moves the way he/she does and how to improve that movement. Having known Sheri over this time frame, I can sincerely say I have seen many riders and horses only improve under her empathetic and positive tutelage.

Deb Rankin

I was referred by a friend to Sheri Heiar in 2006. Having returned to riding after a 20 year break, I realized I was relying on old habits from my childhood that did not make me a strong rider. My seat was very weak, causing me to feel insecure on the spooky Arabian I had rescued. Sheri evaluated me on a safe lesson horse and began working to completely overhaul my positioning. Thinking back on it, I am amazed Sheri didn't throw up her hands at the daunting challenge I must have presented. However, little by little, she identified another piece of the puzzle to work on and the building of a foundation began. I will never forget the day when she declared "Now I can begin teaching you dressage!". I appreciate many things about Sheri. Most of all is her ability to encourage the small steps I make just as she rewards each try from the horse. Today I am showing Training Level with my new mare, Val. With Sheri's coaching we are developing a wonderful bond and progressing at a pace that is very comfortable for me.

Lois Niven 

It is extremely rare to find someone with natural talent in horsemanship combined with the ability to effectively teach it to others. Lucky for me, I found such a trainer in Sheri Heiar. I often tell people I learned more from Sheri in one month than I learned in the previous 10 years combined! Her calm, clear, and nurturing manner seems tailor fit to any horse and/or rider. I have seen her take an explosive, ill-mannered, and terrified horse, and over several months transform him into a willing and trustworthy partner. Her technique in working with riders is very well rounded, as well. During lessons she not only focuses on rider position and connection to the horse, but also explains why those positions are correct, with the ultimate goal of creating a thinking and feeling rider paired with a willing and well-balanced horse.

I have also witnessed first hand how perfectly suited she is with starting young horses. Over the past three years, Sheri has worked with my now four-year-old Friesian gelding. From working with him in-hand to starting him under saddle, her clear, calm, and firm but fair training style has kept my horse willing and eager to please. Additionally, Sheri has ensured that every step of the way my horse develops the necessary and correct muscle structure to effectively do what is asked of him.

Overall, I would recommend Sheri to any rider of any discipline who wishes to realize his or her full potential, and to bring back the fun and satisfaction that made horses an obsession in the first place!

Crystal Rienick