About Dave
Currently based in Germany, Dave Thind is a full-time trainer and clinician. Dave devotes his training skills
towards educating both horses and riders from various disciplines using the principles of classical dressage.
He has worked as a Bereiter (Trainer) and Reitlehrer (Instructor) in Germany and Dave is a fully certified
German 'Trainer A' (third of three levels and recognized across the world as International level III; ex.
Australia, Canada, Italy, Netherlands, Norway as Level III, Denmark - Berider, France - Brevet d'etat
d'educateur sportif 2e... ( click here for additional countries).
He and his students have had great success in dressage - from basic to FEI levels, as well as show jumping,
eventing and hunter/equitation (including National medal classes). His students have received many
accolades, including national awards such as Equine Canada's Gillian Wilson Award for Junior Equestrian of
the Year. In addition, two students have successfully obtained their Equine Canada recognized coaching
certification (levels I and II).
Dave has been lucky enough to receive some of the best training around. Dave completed his Trainer training
under Meister Martin Plewa (Individual Olympic Gold Medalist, Former coach of German National Eventing
Team, Co-author of Dressage Tips and Training Solutions), Reiner Jäckel and Line Beutin. Dave has also
trained with Johan Zagers, Bernd Shulz-Tophoff, Margaret Dickmann-Grosshunders and several other
German Masters who Dave is thankful to for having shared their knowledge. Dave's additional expertise was
brought out when a back injury led to Dave's fascination with human and equine biomechanics and his close
study of various body awareness techniques including Feldenkrais®. Dave is also a Reiki Master and treats
his horses with this.
Fresh out of high school, Dave took a student business loan and launched Cavalier Magazine, a bilingual
equestrian magazine and ran the publication for 5-years while studying at Champlain College and Concordia
University. With the revenue amassed from his business and with the help of another loan, he and his sister
purchased two more horses. One of these was the then yearling stud-colt who would become their licensed
stallion Rajah (Rabino/Calypso II/Ladykiller).
In 1998, Dave's dream to train in Europe became a reality when he traveled to The Netherlands to train and
compete in a University level Nations' Cup to represent Canada in Jumping and Dressage. On that first trip to
Holland, Dave had the opportunity to receive dressage training from Henk Van den Berg and developed an
appreciation of Baroque horses, training on very well bred Gelder horses as well as competing on Fresian
stallions owned by the Fresian National Stud Farm. Prior to going to Holland, Dave considered himself to be a
very good rider due to his success at competition and experimentation with the German training system. It
was then that Dave realized that Dressage would be a life-long learning process and that he had much too
learn. Over the next four-years, Dave returned to train in Holland while he continued his University and equine
studies as well as his business ventures.
In 1999, Dave went into business for himself once more, this time as a trainer of horses and riders as well as
breeding warmblood horses. Dave quickly developed a reputation for having the ability to work with young
stallions as well and problem horses and became a sought after trainer. He and his students continued to
have success in jumping competitions but with the majority of their work was of course dressage. Also in
2000, Dave obtained a Hanoverian broodmare / Prix St. Georges competitor, San System (Sultana). Thanks to
Sultana and her owner as well as Dressage World Championship competitor and FEI Judge Lise Martin, Dave
was able to continue his learning.
By 2002 World Class Warmbloods was flourishing and Dave could be seen showing a variety of training
horses at various levels of dressage. His stallion Rajah continued to be successful in the jumpers and many
satisfied clients had purchased horses from Dave. Also in 2002, he met Japanese National dressage Coach,
Margaret Dickmann of Germany. Dickmann quickly recognized Dave's talent and arranged for him to train in
Germany with Johan Zagers. Dave of course was very excited about this and an unfortunate accident
almost stopped him in his tracks. However, Dave insisted - In addition to being an extremely accomplished
competitor himself, Mr. Zagers has trained horses and riders to the highest levels, including Renoir Unicef/A.K.
Lisenhoff - Team Gold, Jerez 2002. Armed with prescription pain-killers, anti-inflammatory pills and muscle
relaxants, Dave set off for Germany. Finally Dave decided that he did not want to continue with the toxic
medications and Johan, who at one point had been bed ridden for over a year, encouraged Dave to take the
time off in order to heal. A wise decision, but a tough one at that.
The injury resulted in chronic-pain due to a pelvic-upslip, a false short-leg and sacro-iliac dysfunction. Many
health care professionals, family members and colleagues advised Dave to find a new career. At times he
considered it, but knew that somehow he was going to fully heal and follow his true calling in life. The next
three years were difficult, requiring several breaks from training while Dave still managed to obtain success at
the FEI levels of dressage. In order to recover, Dave sought help in 5 different countries, trying everything he
could: Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Standard Physical therapy, Tai Chi, Meditation, Osteopathy, Q'Gong,
Massage, Cranio-Sacral Therapy, Rolfing, Yoga, Pilates, and Alexander Technique. All of those modalities
contributed to his comfort levels and body awareness, but it was Feldenkrais and Reiki ( energy work) that
made all the difference. During any required lay-up, Dave immersed himself in the study of both human and
equine movement and biomechanics. "I don't regret being injured. The pain and the idea of giving up riding
was very difficult at times but it drove me to educate myself. I am a better rider and trainer because of the
pain I went through. What makes it all worth while is that I can help other riders to learn how to avoid pain
provoked by riding as well as to reduce or eliminate pre-exisiting conditions.", reflects Dave, now comfortably
back in the saddle and moving full speed ahead towards his goals, all while sharing his knowledge with riders
and trainers across North America and Europe.
Currently based in Germany, Dave Thind is a full-time trainer and clinician. Dave devotes his training skills
towards educating both horses and riders from various disciplines using the principles of classical dressage.
He has worked as a Bereiter (Trainer) and Reitlehrer (Instructor) in Germany and Dave is a fully certified
German 'Trainer A' (third of three levels and recognized across the world as International level III; ex.
Australia, Canada, Italy, Netherlands, Norway as Level III, Denmark - Berider, France - Brevet d'etat
d'educateur sportif 2e... ( click here for additional countries).
He and his students have had great success in dressage - from basic to FEI levels, as well as show jumping,
eventing and hunter/equitation (including National medal classes). His students have received many
accolades, including national awards such as Equine Canada's Gillian Wilson Award for Junior Equestrian of
the Year. In addition, two students have successfully obtained their Equine Canada recognized coaching
certification (levels I and II).
Dave has been lucky enough to receive some of the best training around. Dave completed his Trainer training
under Meister Martin Plewa (Individual Olympic Gold Medalist, Former coach of German National Eventing
Team, Co-author of Dressage Tips and Training Solutions), Reiner Jäckel and Line Beutin. Dave has also
trained with Johan Zagers, Bernd Shulz-Tophoff, Margaret Dickmann-Grosshunders and several other
German Masters who Dave is thankful to for having shared their knowledge. Dave's additional expertise was
brought out when a back injury led to Dave's fascination with human and equine biomechanics and his close
study of various body awareness techniques including Feldenkrais®. Dave is also a Reiki Master and treats
his horses with this.
Fresh out of high school, Dave took a student business loan and launched Cavalier Magazine, a bilingual
equestrian magazine and ran the publication for 5-years while studying at Champlain College and Concordia
University. With the revenue amassed from his business and with the help of another loan, he and his sister
purchased two more horses. One of these was the then yearling stud-colt who would become their licensed
stallion Rajah (Rabino/Calypso II/Ladykiller).
In 1998, Dave's dream to train in Europe became a reality when he traveled to The Netherlands to train and
compete in a University level Nations' Cup to represent Canada in Jumping and Dressage. On that first trip to
Holland, Dave had the opportunity to receive dressage training from Henk Van den Berg and developed an
appreciation of Baroque horses, training on very well bred Gelder horses as well as competing on Fresian
stallions owned by the Fresian National Stud Farm. Prior to going to Holland, Dave considered himself to be a
very good rider due to his success at competition and experimentation with the German training system. It
was then that Dave realized that Dressage would be a life-long learning process and that he had much too
learn. Over the next four-years, Dave returned to train in Holland while he continued his University and equine
studies as well as his business ventures.
In 1999, Dave went into business for himself once more, this time as a trainer of horses and riders as well as
breeding warmblood horses. Dave quickly developed a reputation for having the ability to work with young
stallions as well and problem horses and became a sought after trainer. He and his students continued to
have success in jumping competitions but with the majority of their work was of course dressage. Also in
2000, Dave obtained a Hanoverian broodmare / Prix St. Georges competitor, San System (Sultana). Thanks to
Sultana and her owner as well as Dressage World Championship competitor and FEI Judge Lise Martin, Dave
was able to continue his learning.
By 2002 World Class Warmbloods was flourishing and Dave could be seen showing a variety of training
horses at various levels of dressage. His stallion Rajah continued to be successful in the jumpers and many
satisfied clients had purchased horses from Dave. Also in 2002, he met Japanese National dressage Coach,
Margaret Dickmann of Germany. Dickmann quickly recognized Dave's talent and arranged for him to train in
Germany with Johan Zagers. Dave of course was very excited about this and an unfortunate accident
almost stopped him in his tracks. However, Dave insisted - In addition to being an extremely accomplished
competitor himself, Mr. Zagers has trained horses and riders to the highest levels, including Renoir Unicef/A.K.
Lisenhoff - Team Gold, Jerez 2002. Armed with prescription pain-killers, anti-inflammatory pills and muscle
relaxants, Dave set off for Germany. Finally Dave decided that he did not want to continue with the toxic
medications and Johan, who at one point had been bed ridden for over a year, encouraged Dave to take the
time off in order to heal. A wise decision, but a tough one at that.
The injury resulted in chronic-pain due to a pelvic-upslip, a false short-leg and sacro-iliac dysfunction. Many
health care professionals, family members and colleagues advised Dave to find a new career. At times he
considered it, but knew that somehow he was going to fully heal and follow his true calling in life. The next
three years were difficult, requiring several breaks from training while Dave still managed to obtain success at
the FEI levels of dressage. In order to recover, Dave sought help in 5 different countries, trying everything he
could: Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Standard Physical therapy, Tai Chi, Meditation, Osteopathy, Q'Gong,
Massage, Cranio-Sacral Therapy, Rolfing, Yoga, Pilates, and Alexander Technique. All of those modalities
contributed to his comfort levels and body awareness, but it was Feldenkrais and Reiki ( energy work) that
made all the difference. During any required lay-up, Dave immersed himself in the study of both human and
equine movement and biomechanics. "I don't regret being injured. The pain and the idea of giving up riding
was very difficult at times but it drove me to educate myself. I am a better rider and trainer because of the
pain I went through. What makes it all worth while is that I can help other riders to learn how to avoid pain
provoked by riding as well as to reduce or eliminate pre-exisiting conditions.", reflects Dave, now comfortably
back in the saddle and moving full speed ahead towards his goals, all while sharing his knowledge with riders
and trainers across North America and Europe.
BIOGRAPHY
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
How it all began
Dave Thind's unique skill set is a result of the
unique combination of his experiences and
circumstances. Although his grandfather was
an instructor in the Indian Cavalry, Dave never
had the chance to meet him. Dave was born
and raised outside of Montreal, Canada and
because of the generosity of his older sister
Sanjeev, began showing hunter / equitation
and jumper on their Thoroughbred gelding,
Kismet. From reading and studying videos,
Dave noticed that horses and riders from
Germany and other European nations simply
performed better, even to the uneducated
eyes of a 15-year-old. Although Dave had
already attained success at competition, he
dreamt of traveling to train in Europe and one
day having the means to own and breed
warmbloods. Dave took it upon himself to
study European bloodlines and horse breeding
(conformation, gaits, breeding indexes, etc.)
So began his personal quest for a systematic
approach to better riding which ultimately led
him to dressage and the classical training
system.
Dave Thind's unique skill set is a result of the
unique combination of his experiences and
circumstances. Although his grandfather was
an instructor in the Indian Cavalry, Dave never
had the chance to meet him. Dave was born
and raised outside of Montreal, Canada and
because of the generosity of his older sister
Sanjeev, began showing hunter / equitation
and jumper on their Thoroughbred gelding,
Kismet. From reading and studying videos,
Dave noticed that horses and riders from
Germany and other European nations simply
performed better, even to the uneducated
eyes of a 15-year-old. Although Dave had
already attained success at competition, he
dreamt of traveling to train in Europe and one
day having the means to own and breed
warmbloods. Dave took it upon himself to
study European bloodlines and horse breeding
(conformation, gaits, breeding indexes, etc.)
So began his personal quest for a systematic
approach to better riding which ultimately led
him to dressage and the classical training
system.
A young Dave and the first
horse that he bought with his
own money, at 17-years old.
Photo appeared with article in
Brossard Eclair.
horse that he bought with his
own money, at 17-years old.
Photo appeared with article in
Brossard Eclair.