What students have to say about working with Wolfgang May –

I was so amazed and pleased with the outcome of those lessons. I had never met Wolfgang before and was touched that he gave as much respect and time to my little quarter horse mix as he does to the beautiful warmbloods and high profile horses he must deal with on a daily basis. My horse has improved ten fold and we have many excercises to keep us busy until the next clinic. - Judy Gallo


Training is at the pace and level of each horse and rider, striving towards vibrantly responsive suppleness and harmony without the use of tricks to artificially advance levels. And of course, includes all the great virtues of classical dressage. – Ted Eckert


Wolfgang is known for his talent in assessing each horse and rider and their unique strengths and weaknesses and focusing on exercises to help them reach their goals. While using the German training scale as a guide, Wolfgang’s style is unlike traditional German training in that he uses a more subtle approach. He believes that horses reach their full potential not by force or overexertion but by engagement of the mind. This method of training keeps the horse interested, challenged and most importantly, thinking. Wolfgang’s quiet demeanor and patience with horse and rider puts both at ease, instilling confidence in his students. If you are interested in improving your dressage scores or simply your ability to communicate with your horse, these clinics are not to be missed. – Jill Kiley


I enjoy working with Wolfgang May because he can walk right up after not seeing me for a month, take a look at my warm-up, and right away work out a program for that day that is appropriate and challenging. He has a reassuring manner with my horse, yet he can push me enough to get results. It’s a no-mental-stress major physical workout. He’s kind and respectful to both horse and rider. But expect to work! – Renee K. McKinley


Wolfgang has a way of teaching that really builds up your confidence and the confidence of your horse. He uses many different exercises—such as changes of direction and bend, as well as different patterns to help rebalance both you and your horse, setting you up for correct transitions and movements. And he does it in such a fun and easy way you don’t even know you’re doing it until you’ve done it. But you have to come ready to listen and work hard! – Elizabeth Carson


Wolfgang May has something to offer every horse and rider pair regardless of their level or experience. I admire the way he teaches his students to use exercises and figures to engage the horse to encourage the lightness we all strive for. He is kind and considerate to horse and rider alike while still being demanding enough that by the end of the lesson the student knows that work has been done and learning has occurred. For all these reasons and more I look forward to my lessons with Wolfgang May.
– Ed Eichelberger


What I like about Wolfgang is his ability to treat each horse and rider differently based on their needs and level of training. He has a talent for compassionately pushing the horse and rider to their limits but not beyond, which allows the horse to develop increased suppleness and responsiveness and allows the rider to develop increased understanding of the aids. – Jill Kiley


Wolfgang is able to draw forth from each horse, whatever their level, the full potential they have at that moment without the use of force or causing resentment. Watching the horses, they instantly grant him respect, but in such a way that they eagerly look to him for guidance and reward in future lessons.
– Ted Eckert


I never realized how important corners were until I started riding with Wolfgang. I’ve learned they’re a kind of ‘natural half-halt’ that you can use to help rebalance your horse and yourself and get correctly set up for the next movement. And there’s more to riding than 20-meter circles! With Wolfgang, you’re constantly changing direction and bend and gait until suddenly, your horse is light and in front of your leg. – Lydia Gray


I thoroughly enjoyed my rides with Wolfgang. My gelding, Vinnie, was amazingly relaxed, so I was able to really focus on Wolfgang's directions. We both benefited from the exercises Wolfgang gave us. He zeroed right in on what we needed. I couldn't wait to get back on the next day to test my new insights! Wolfgang and his wife are delightful! – Amanda Sheedy


What I got out of the two lessons I had with Wolfgang was several (new to me) exercises he showed me that were totally appropriate to where I am at in my riding and to the skill level of my two horses. He made much use of the short diagonal and also much of transitions...Also, I stayed behind and watched him instruct a higher level rider and saw him give her a totally different set of
exercises. His delivery was very kind. He also carefully explained the importance of softness and finding the right moment for making transitions. - Ingrid Edisen


He was very nice and funny and a good teacher. It was a great experience for her. - Susan Walter


It was a pleasure to ride in this clinic! Wolfgang was friendly, extremely approachable, positive and easily understood. I personally love it when a clinician offers to ride my horse. That is how I learn best (by seeing what they can do with my horse and what correct looks like). I am a firm believer that a trainer can get a better picture of what may be going on with the
horse/rider team by feeling for themselves. Wolfgang noticed that, although Paolo was on the bit and going fairly steady, I was probably holding him up a bit too much with the outside rein. I responded with "yah, he really likes it" and we had a good chuckle...I was also surprised that he wanted us to SLOW DOWN. I am so used to thinking GO that I didn't realize how I was letting him run onto his forehand...I loved the clinic and would ride
with Mr. May again. - Carolyn White


Lots of different figures and exercises. - Linda Pryor


And my comment is that the clinic was a great success! I was impressed that Wolfgang came prepared to ride and did so gladly upon the rider’s request. As the lesson continued, my horse felt lighter and rounder. For the first time, I am getting some uphill canter strides out of my Quarter Horse using the exercises Wolfgang taught us. I cannot wait to ride with him again and am glad that he is moving closer to our area. - Helga Venus