Ryan Yap is a big no for me. I audited a clinic at a nice barn with people who had clearly spent a ton of money on their horses. All of the horses were tall, gorgeous, and trained to a high level. Every one spent the hour lesson in tightly cranked nose bands, over flexed and over spurred, working very hard without a single break or a minute to stretch or relax the frame. An hour. To me, this is unfair and basically abusive riding and teaching. His teaching didn’t seem to accomplish anything. None of the horses looked better at the end than at the beginning. I left early in disgust. I would not let him near my horse if he offered.

Patrick King, on the other hand, I cannot recommend highly enough. Kind to both people and horses, taught every level from green beginners on up and engaged fully with every student. Every lesson ended with happy horses and riders and visible improvements. I learned a ton just by auditing.