About

Sofia Frontiere is an FEI rider, coach, and trainer who grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She has worked with legendary rider/trainers in the fields of hunter, jumper, and dressage. After acquiring a wide range of skills, she decided that dressage was the discipline she would primarily focus on.

Sofia began lessons at a very young age riding with Jose Luis Perez Soto, 1980 Olympic bronze medalist. At 16, she began riding with renowned trainer and judge Erlene Seybold-Smythe. There, she started to hone her skills and ride world champion Morgan horses in a wide array of disciplines; including, starting young horses, driving, working with “problem” horses, working with many different breeds. She worked as head counselor for kids' horse camps for many years. As lead instructor, she taught many children and adults the fundamentals and joys of horsemanship.

After successfully competing locally, it was time to branch out. She moved to San Diego, CA to train under Shannon and Steffen Peters (4x Olympian and 2x team bronze medalist). After a few weeks of training, the Peters' offered her a position as working student. She worked alongside Team Peters for two years and learned skills ranging from ground to saddle-work. During her time in California she trained with many great riders/coaches including: Guenter Sidel, Tiffany Silverman, Britta Pendersen (NZ), David Blake, Jürgen Huffman (DE), Dawn White-O'Connor, Shayna Simon, Lindsey Stroh (CAN), and others.

Services

Lessons

Riding should be fun and enjoyable for both horse and rider. I truly believe that a person cannot learn through fear. Lunge lessons, a large part of my lesson plan, focus on biomechanics and form to function so that the riders understand how their position can directly affect their horse. Riding is a partnership that my students work towards. Finding that balance of respect and love with their horses.

Schedule

Training

I believe in setting a solid foundation of true self-carriage and balance with all of my horses. Whether working in-hand or under saddle, I focus on keeping the horse happy and willing to work. This is accomplished through fun breaks (pole work, trail and jumping) between real and focused collected work. Such variety of training achieves the elevation of horses through the levels. Reach out with any questions you may have.

Contact

Clinics

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Facility

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Supporters

I first met Sofia as she was assisting multiple top trainers at Arroyo Del Mar in San Diego. I was understandably honored when she reached out to me to help her with her personal horse who wasn't "clicking" with any of the outstanding professionals at her workplace. This was my first impression of her… she knew her own horse well enough to recognize that, in spite of the impressive resumes, he hadn't yet found the right program in which to work happily. This speaks to her horsemanship and empathy. Sofia joined my program as a client but, when I realized her capability and passion for education, she quickly became my right hand. She would spend every free moment sitting next to me while I taught or watching us ride in order to soak-up all the information she could. When I was away from the barn, I entrusted her to oversee my stables and supervise my lower-level clients in the arena. She even found MORE work down the street at a children's riding program when she taught very young kids to ride… they LOVED her! Through it all, she showed up everyday with a cheerful attitude and a terrific Energy.

Tiffany Silverman

USDF Bronze, Silver, Gold Medalist, 'L' Program Graduate with Distinction

Sofia has been a wonderful trainer for my daughter and her eventing horse, Teal. She's very aware of the horse's body makeup and where we needed to focus to start making necessary changes for the improvements on body mechanics of our horse, and the success of the rider. Through working alongside Sofie, our wonderful vet and farrier, she suggested , we healed our horses back , built the necessary top line, and corrected a long-standing hoof tripping issue which has been a game changer. Sofia encourages constant growth and is always there with a positive attitude whether it's a lesson, a fitting, farrier visit, a show, etc. Our dressage has improved greatly, as well as our overall horse's health and body mechanics all thanks to her advice and knowledge.

Kristin

Sofia has a very kind and patient approach to training horses and their riders. I have seen a huge improvement in my horse's overall relaxation and fitness in the few months that she has worked with my gelding. Sofia has a wealth of experience and qualified resources to draw upon and she continually strives to better her riding and education. I am excited to be a part of Sofia Frontiere Dressage!

Beverly

I have enjoyed training with Sofia. She has been instrumental forming a solid foundation for my green OTTB. Sofia has a great back ground in dressage and also many other disciplines including western. It's refreshing to train with someone who is eager to teach in such a professional and relaxed manner. She does put on clinics for furthering her client's education. I am impressed that she treats schooling shows like rated shows expecting her clients to pay attention to the smallest detail. I look forward to continue my training with her.

Patrice

Sofia has been a life saver. Before she came to work with my 9 year old gelding I was terrified to ride him. He had so many bad habits that I could not correct and refused to stand for the farrier. He was scared of everything and I felt like I couldn't do anything with him. I contacted her to help us as a last resort, since the next step was rehoming him.The first lesson was a complete game changer! She built up my confidence and showed me how to correct his bad habits. Sofia is quick to give fair corrections, but always keeps a calm energy that my horse responds to. My gelding tends to be very high strung and spooky, but with Sofia (and now me!) he is calm and brave. After just a few months I am now able to take my horse on trails with others or alone. My gelding couldn't lunge when she started working with him, and now he lunges like a dream. Sofia also came to help during a farrier appointment and he was an absolute dream after a few corrections. And most importantly my horse adores her! He loves getting scratches after a good lesson, and is eager to see her each week. Sofia is the best trainer I've ever worked with, and I recommend her to anyone that needs a horse trainer!

Alexis

I am so thrilled we have Sofia as our trainer. Her knowledge is all encompassing. She, truly, loves what she does and her passion is unwavering. I cannot wait to see where we go together in this journey.

Lesley and Anna

I appreciate Sofia's attention to the biomechanics of the rider and how it relates to improvement of the horse. It's so beneficial to have a trainer who treats the horse as an individual and tailors a program to aid the horse in its development.

Cindy

Contact

Feel free to schedule or ask questions. I will do my best to respond quickly. Text or call for the fastest response.