Trans-Atlantic Show Horses

Charlotte Gerstenfeld graduated from Hollins University in 1994 with a BA in Economics/Business and a minor in Biology. Immediately after graduation she moved to California where she worked for Jim Hagman at Elvenstar Farms and then spent the next five years working for John Bragg at Bridgeport Farms. While working for John, she realized that her knowledge of educating show horses was limited and

in order to achieve her goals, she needed to travel to Europe where they produce the majority of the world’s top show horses. Her European training began in Switzerland working for a true horseman and dealer, Gerhard Etter. After working as a sales rider for almost a year, she moved to Germany; working at the Zweibrucken Pferdeverband. She continued for another six years working for several different sales barns and breeders including Axel Woeckener, Wulf Rulf, and Hauke Luther. Charlotte placed well in many of the young horse classes called Springpferde. The classes range in height from 3’6, 3’9 and 4’0 (1.10 meters – 1.30 meters). They are specifically for horses six years and under and are judged on style and rideability. She also successfully competed in regular jumper classes where placings are based on time and faults ranging in height from 1 meter 10 to 1 meter 40. In September of 2009, Charlotte returned to America to start her own business, Trans-Atlantic show horses. She began selling horses that she trained in concert with training, educating and instructing clients. Charlotte’s general riding philosophy is simple – less is more. It becomes complicated due to the miscommunication between horse and rider. This miscommunication often begins from a lack of education and discipline in the fundamental riding principles. When one understands the mechanics of riding the dance with the horse becomes fluid and quiet. Riders should never forget that every time we sit on a horse we are the main contributor to either the education or un-education of the horse.