I grew up in a village in the east of Switzerland, with a twin brother and a younger sister.
In 1997 I finished an apprenticeship as tool and die maker with the best result in the Country. I really enjoyed the trade. My hobbies were mountaineering, making tools, leatherwork, woodwork and anything else we needed, in our family workshop and riding once or twice a week.
In 2000 I discovered the Parelli Program, with my loan horse. All of a sudden I had a plan with my horse and the horse understood it too! So I decided to (and had the luck to be accepted) be working student at Pats ranch in Colorado. I stayed for a year; I was amazed how much I learned in these 12 months.
My trade was important to me in this time, only because I always had work at home, was I able to go through Pats program. Later I went to Montana for 6 month to ride with Ronnie Willis, which was the best time ever! Lots of young horses, some restarts and one of the best Horsemen as a teacher. I rode up to 10 horses a day six days a week.
After I became certified as a Parelli instructor and colt starter, I decided to quit tool making. I teach the Parelli program from private lessons up to 3 day clinics.
In 2011 I moved to England to be with Alison.
Every year I go back to the Parelli source, for at least a month, to be up to date and improve in the different areas of expertise; teaching the program, colt starting, training of the foundation for performance and driving.
My biggest passion is colt starting (backing of youngsters); I start colts all year in England and twice a year in Switzerland. Mountaineering and colt starting are very similar, it’s critical to respect the laws of nature and important the whole team (guide and guest) makes it to the top and back to the cabin before dark.
My goal is to help everyone get closer and achieve their dreams with horses. The Parelli programme has enabled me to live my dream, I look forwards to being able to help passionate horse lovers achieve theirs too.
The Parelli Professionals Promise
Relationship First
I promise to put my relationship with you, my student first. And I promise to help you put the relationship with your horse first. Rather than perfecting the task, we will care more about confidence, trust, motivation and willingness as true horsemen do.
Foundation Before Specialization
I promise to help you become well-rounded in savvy both on the ground and riding, within my skill set and licensing, to prepare you for success at every level – to read your horse, understand his Horsenality and develop your savvy skills On Line, at Liberty, Freestyle and Finesse.
Never Ending Self- Improvement
I promise to inspire and support your quest for never ending self-improvement. The Parelli Pathway and Parelli Membership will guide you to success and help you measure your progress every step of the way.
Testimonials
"I was really impressed to see how quickly David spotted the areas of weakness in my progress with my RBI horse Taz, giving me lots of useful games to play to help with his specific issues. He was very encouraging and made it lots of fun!"
Nell Cruse
"I sent my 3 year old filly Temi to David for starting and couldn’t be more pleased with the results. David kept me up to date throughout her training and then provided a comprehensive handover, which has left me confident and knowledgeable as to how to continue with Temi’s education and what to expect along the way.
I managed to visit Temi and David a couple of times at the start of her training and I was blown away by how much they had achieved in such a short space of time, Temi was happy, confident and willing.
David exceeded my expectations in every respect; the start Temi has received has laid down the foundations for whatever the future holds for us in whatever discipline we choose and I will definitely be sending any future youngsters to David for their formative education."
Darna Dunne