Trusted Trainers
At Via Nova, our success is built on the strong partnerships we foster within the equestrian community
Strengthening Our Community
At Via Nova, our success is built on the strong partnerships we foster within the equestrian community. We collaborate with a diverse network of professionals, including renowned trainers, behaviorists, and positive reinforcement trainers, to ensure our horses receive the best care and our clients benefit from the most comprehensive, up-to-date industry knowledge.
Positive Reinforcement Trainers & Resources
Via Nova Training is committed to helping expand positive reinforcement training in the horse world, and we can’t do that alone. Here are some of the trusted experts we recommend for those who want to learn more.
Connection Training
Online and around the world
Hannah Weston, Rachel Bedingfield, and Claire Waldron of Connection Training have been some of our important mentors at Via Nova.
Connection Training is an online resource for anyone starting Positive Reinforcement with their horse. Hannah has produced an amazing collection of instructional videos well worth viewing, along with monthly Study Groups on training topics and online coaching.
Their book Connection Training: The Heart and Science of Positive Horse Training is also a great resource.
In 2017, Connection Training graduated their first Qualified Instructors after a comprehensive program which culminated in a 10-day live training course in Spain. As an attendee, Amanda was honored to get to know this unique group of horsewomen and trainers from all over the world, with the added fun of making good friends. Hannah and Rachel’s advancement of Positive Reinforcement instructors was one of the inspirations for Via Nova Training.
Since then, a number of CT Qualified Coaches have gone on to develop their own individual R+ programs and focus, creating a variety of online resources for different training goals.
Angelica Hesselius, Reward Based Riding
Sweden
Angelica has online courses and a podcast along with posting on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. She uses R+ to train with a classical dressage focus, emphasizing connection and balance. Angelica is a CT Coach and Academic Art of Riding Instructor based in Sweden.
Do Groen, Horses with Choices
The Netherlands
Do is a Dutch reward-based horse trainer and equine behavior coach with a talent for making learning both engaging and accessible. With a background in communication sciences, she excels at breaking down complex information into practical steps. Her main focus is on improving communication between the horse and the rider, creating happy independent learners that love training and interacting together.
Melissa Deal, Compassionate Horse Click
North Carolina, USA
Melissa has online courses, online coaching, and a community membership with a focus on emotional balance and connection for amateur riders, in particular inspiring women to enjoy their horses through compassionate training! She’s a CT Coach based in North Carolina, USA.
Judith Edel, Positive Equitation
Wales, UK
Judith has a great depth of experience in horse agility and obstacle training using R+. She can help with handling, groundwork and riding, and offers online coaching, live coaching, horse agility events and competitions, seminars and lecture courses focused on putting fun back into horsemanship. Judith is a Horse Agility Accredited Trainer and has been European Horse Agility Champion (liberty or on lead) four times! She’s a CT Coach based in Wales, UK.
Mary Hunter, Behavior Explorer
Texas, USA
At Behavior Explorer, Mary offers educational courses and programs that use the science of learning to teach people to train animals, With a focus on the important skills of shaping, along with her husband, Dr. Jesús Rosales-Ruiz, Mary developed PORTL—the Portable Operant Research and Teaching Lab, a tabletop game which allows students and practitioners to experience behavioral principles and practice their teaching skills.