Testimonials

In this newly renovated and expanded riding facility operated by Hans and Debbie , horses really enjoy life. The facility offers a very comfortable environment to our four legged friends. Nothing
is missing to guarantee the correct training for horses and riders - airy, bright box stalls, tack room, wash stall - a bright indoor riding arena with great footing and a 20 / 60 mtr outdoor ring. Plenty of trails to give horse and rider a chance to relax in nature and a number of safe paddocks leave nothing to be desired.

The welfare of the horses is of utmost priority. With Debbie, Hans has a reliable and devoted partner, one could not ask for more. Congratulations Hans and Debbie for this outstanding training facility.

Walter Zettl

"Hans and Xenora have provided a highly positive and constructive learning environment for me to be a better rider and partner for my horses.  He has provided this same environment for my horses to be a better partner for  me.  His attention to detail and candid approach have exceeded my expectations.  I have been particularly pleased with the continual building of skills and competencies needed for longer term healthy happy horses and results rather than quick fixes.
 
Most importantly, however, his values, principles and ethics as a trainer, coach and handler have been critical for me as a horse owner, rider and competitor."

Jackie Parker

Two years ago I purchased a three‐year‐old Trakehner mare by the name of Devoted Dynasty from Hans Hollenbach at the Troika Equestrian Center. Unfortunately, only three months into the ownership she slipped and fell fracturing her coffin bone. The veterinarian’s diagnosis was not at all optimistic: only a 30% chance of recovery plus a year of relative immobility, resting in a stall. She was fairly good at the beginning; however, as time wore on and as she began to feel more comfortable, she became more unpredictable and dangerous. Many professionals told us that she was a lost cause and that she would never recover from her injury and would become increasingly more dangerous as time went on.

However, Dynasty proved them wrong when after a year of waiting, that miraculous day came when the veterinarian’s x‐rays indicated she had fully recovered, despite the narrow odds of this happening. This wasn’t the end of our long journey. Even though she was no longer on stall rest, she was still dangerous. At that point we had to make a difficult decision to send her back to Hans and in the hands of a capable, highly trained professional. Months passed with hardly any progress. She continued acting out for no apparent reason. She was dangerous to even walk by hand and I found myself questioning if I had made the right choice to keep Dynasty or if she was just too volatile for me.

A year went by and very little progress in taming her demeanor was evident. However, Hans never gave up. He believed in her and tried absolutely everything he possible could. In June of 2009 something truly amazing happened. After trying a new training technique, Dynasty suddenly showed remarkable improvement in both her temperament and her movement. She started to become safer and easier to ride. She was doing so well that we made the decision to enter her in her first show. She acted both professional and calm in the show ring atmosphere away from home. I was so happy with her performance I was on the verge of tears. She was becoming the horse I fell in love with 3 years ago.

Hans proved to me that with perseverance, persistence and passion, miracles can and do happen. I can’t thank Hans enough for all that he has done for both Dynasty and me and I do not know what I would do with out his amazing support and expertise. It has been a fabulous experience at Xenora and I look forward to what the future has in store.

Devoted Dynasty and Stefanie Krysiak

The beauty is the experience of the
  moment, mindfulness. The harmony begins
  within the peace of the moment ; the silence
  of the mind eliminates the conditioned
  barriers into the realization of the
  expression.

  The ride is the freedom of the dance that
  carries you on the wings through the heart of
  the horse.

              " Lynette DesMarais - Orgulloso / AR - USA "

I've audited many of the clinics that Hans has taught, and I am continually impressed by his knowledge, understanding and enthusiasm. When the opportunity came up for us to host one ourselves this past Fall, we leapt at the chance.

I have observed that the rider's seat and position and the way it affects the horse's movement is an aspect of equestrianism that is too often misunderstood or ignored all together by many modern riding coaches. During Han's Seat Symposium at MeadowRidge we observed profound changes in the horses. They went from being hollow, stiff, crooked and heavy to light, willing, relaxed and supple over the course of a few short minutes! Many of the exercises are simple and Hans is able to explain why they work for the horses on both a biological and psychological level.

He is a classical dressage coach, but many of the exercises and methods can be applied to any discipline, I've been adding them to my western and english lesson plans for the past year and a half with great success. I am amazed at how quickly all of my horses responded, even the schoolies! Now one of my geldings, who had previously run away from me in the field when I went out to get him, will run up to me to stick his nose in his halter. The horses develop mentally and physically at a remarkable rate.

This isn't gimmicky training at all, many, if not all of the concepts are based on very old teachings and can be applied to any horse, regardless of breed, age or conformation. I highly recommend Hans and the crew at Xenora to anyone who loves their horses, and who is hungry for a simpler, more commonsense approach to dressage.

Jen White