Instructor

Louise von Clef has spent her life studying, working, and improving her horsemanship skills. She began riding as a child with the support of her mother and father. By the age of 14 she purchased and supported her first horse. Louise started by riding Western and competed and won at barrel racing and Gymkana shows at an early age. Moving on to the English style of riding as a junior, she also successfully competed at the A and B rated hunter/jumper shows winning many awards and championships.

After graduating from high school, Louise felt the need to challenge herself as a rider and focused on the highly technical sport of Dressage. She continued training with Olympic and world level dressage riders. The highlight of which was competing and winning at Dressage at Devon and the Lundquist finals.

Constantly working to improve her skills, over the years Louise has worked with all world level trainers, coaches and riders in the disciplines of hunter, jumper, dressage, race horse, steeplechase and eventing. Her focus with her competitive riders at Mountain Meadow Equestrian Center are hunters, equitation, dressage, and eventing. She has also been teaching reining and gaited horse riders since moving to Tennessee. Helping horses and riders with the basic dressage principles, techniques, and discipline.

Louise has also found enjoyment by riding field hunters since the age of 17. It is a pleasant diversion from the rigors of the show ring for both her and her horses...and an excellent training ground for horse and rider also taking students along. She has also ridden and broken race horses and steeplechase horses for vaious owners and trainers including top USA and hall of fame trainers Jonathan Sheppard and Burling Cocks. Louise draws upon this vast and varied experience to bring her students the very best in multidisciplinary instruction.

For years while in Pennsylvania she also ran a therapeutic horseback riding program at her farm. She felt the need to let others have the benefits of riding and being around horses that otherwise could not. Riding is very beneficial for advancing physical development not to mention the enjoyment of being around such great companions.

Today her main focus is on the training and boarding operation at the Mountain Meadow Equestrian Center in Maryville, TN. For student riders it is important to have a knowledgeable, experienced instructor as it is to be mounted on horses that are suitable to their ability. Louise practices what she preaches with both horses and riders, bringing them along, step by step. She builds an atmosphere of confidence in her pupils by being an accomplished equestrian in many disciplines and a trainer whose riders have gone on to successful careers and have also won many championships and awards.

Her years of experience with so many horses gives her the insight for each individual need of every horse and pony. At Mountain Meadow Equestrian Center, the care of the horses comes first. She spends her day overseeing the care of the horses at the center, training clients' horses, teaching students and going to competitions.