ABOUT US
About Rachael Argo
Rachael Argo has been riding since the age of five. Having worked at boarding facilities and taught at various riding schools she got a job as assistant manager at the Scottish base for the International League for the Protection of Horses (the biggest equine welfare organization in Europe). The farm specialized in rehabilitating horses with physical and mental injuries. Working alongside some of the best vets, physiotherapists and farriers in the UK, gave Rachael a vast knowledge of rehabilitation and training and amazing insight into the horse both mentally and physically. Over the twelve years that Rachael worked there, the farm successfully rehabilitated and found new homes for around 500 horses. During that time Rachael also undertook an intensive four year apprenticeship to become a Society of Master Saddlers Qualified Saddler and today owns Callan Saddlery.
In July 2000 Rachael met Johanna Beattie Batista, a Spanish Classical Dressage instructor. Training with Johanna in Spain, Rachael discovered the Classical method which was to be the foundation for all her riding ever since. She also found the Spanish mare Caprichosa LXXVII, who became her partner and mentor. Moving to Nova Scotia in 2006, Rachael continues to train Caprichosa and other horses to a high level in the Classical way, a balanced partnership without force or coercion.
About Karen Pyra
Karen Pyra has always been passionate about horses. All of her major decisions in life have been carefully made to ensure that horses would be a key part of her life’s journey. Karen rode other peoples’ horses until 1998 when she designed and built her own stable and bought her first two horses. Since then, Karen has been an avid student of Classical Dressage, training with different instructors and showing periodically. Karen also coaches a small number of students, focusing on creating successful horse/human partnerships, including emphasis on classical rider position, strong mental focus, enhanced body awareness and emotional commitment to the partnership.
Karen is known in the horse community for the exceptional care that she provides to her horses, with more than one vet calling Karen’s stable a ‘paradise for horses’ and commending her for the excellent care that she provides. Karen is also known for her patience in working with horses that have had difficult pasts, helping them to overcome their fears under saddle with careful, methodical and focused training. In 2006, Karen found her latest equine partner, Lucera RL, a young Spanish mare from the United States. The process of bonding and working with this young mare has demonstrated to Karen in a very tangible way the exceptional qualities of this breed.