Bernie Traurig had quite a career as a rider. Fluent in three disciplines, the Medal and Maclay finals winner went on to be a star in the hunter and jumper ranks with such great horses as Gozzi, Royal Blue, the Cardinal and even Jet Run–before he was ridden by Michael Matz.
Although riders and trainers often focus on giving clinics when they quit show business, Bernie decided to do it in a different way. He started EquestrianCoach.com using video as an integral element of his business. And the intensity with which he always trained and rode now comes through in his teaching, both in person and via the recording.
His operation is popular around the country, and next month the Californian is heading east to a workshop hosted by Judy Richter and Coker farm in Bedford, N.Y.
The workshop, which also is USHJA-approved as a trainer certification clinic, runs May 6-8, with an optional session over natural obstacles May 9.
It’s a semi-private riding and auditing experience,, with three days and evenings of immersion and educational interaction. Bernie works with small groups of three to four riders, including amateurs, juniors and professional from all jumping disciplines at several levels.
When Bernie decided teaching was going to become his life, his question was, “How can I reach the masses?” rather than just dealing with 25 people a weekend at ordinary clinics. Bernie said he realized “education is desperately needed. I had a great desire to spread knowledge.”
He knew nothing about video or developing a website, but he understood what it would take.
“I surrounded myself with good people,” he said, noting “it evolved as I competed less and less and I started to do more clinics. Your ability to improve people and horses and relate to them; your skills get so much better if you do a lot of it. That made it easier for me to get a point across, whatever the topic was.”
Auditors are encouraged to join in the daily discussions between Bernie and the riders, and are also able to participate in video presentations and Q&A during dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Coker Farm, a respected operation in Westchester County, is easy to get to from New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Maryland.
For more information and to register go to EquestrianCoach.com and click on East Coast Workshop.