Dieter Riedinger was born in Vienna, Austria to an equestrian-enthusiast family.  He spent all his spare time as a child and teenager training and riding his horses and competing while his peers where out playing. His father, a talented equestrian, dedicated himself daily to helping his son and being his ‘eyes on the ground”. This had a profound effect on Dieter’s early day.  It was destiny when his father introduced him to his long time friend, Milos Welde, (Colonel Alois Podhajsky’s - Director of Vienna’s Lipizzaner Spanish Riding School’s, last student). For Dieter, this encounter would prove to be the beginning of a life time of teaching Colonel Podhajsky’s classical principles, as taught at the Spanish Riding School.

      Shortly after winning his Austrian title "Austrian Junior Rider of the Year at Grand Prix" he moved to New Zealand where he taught students to Grand Prix, operated his own dressage facitlity and lead Dressage Judging clinics with Joan Matheson, Grand Prix judge for NZEF.

      Today, well known for his calm, kind and patient disposition along with his sharp eye for movement and the ability to develop a horse’s full potential; Dieter continues to apply his systematic approach which he has developed over the years based on Podhajsky’s classical principles. He has a reputation for consistently producing horses that work with the rider rather than for the rider while enhancing and preserving the natural ability of each horse. The results are horses willing and eager to move enthusiastically with the rider to achieve the best they can while feeling comfortable in their working frame, enjoying the journey whether it be pleasure riding or competition.

      Dieter’s systematic approach is based on making incremental changes based on the unique style, conformation and ability of the pair. His training method promotes a willing, motivated, and graceful pair through clear, easy to understand, “how to fix it” explanations, not “quick fix”, but simple and practical solutions.

      CLICK HERE to view Dieter's Brochure

      CLICK HERE to go to Dieter's Blog

Joan Matheson--  International FEI Dressage and Eventing Judge wrote:

"I have known Dieter since 1988 when he came from Austria to live in New
Zealand.

For the past sixteen years he has been a popular riding instructor specializing in
dressage and teaching throughout this country. His unique way of teaching
develops the horse in a way that is currently being encouraged by the FEI
(Federation Equestrian International).
'The Happy Athlete"

Dieter was also working through our National system of training and upgrading
as a dressage judge. He has a good mind and an eye for this aspect of the
sport and has the potential to judge at the FEllevels. Dieter has been a
valuable addition to judges training clinics where he is able to contribute with the eyes of an experienced trainer to the explanation of the bio-mechanics
necessary to the correct execution of movements.

Not only can he teach and judge he is also a very accomplished rider. He was
brought up in Austria near Vienna, home of the famous Spanish Riding School -
He had direct influence from the teaching of the famous Alois Podhajsky and has adhered to his classical principals.

The loss of his expertise is a great pity for the sport of dressage in New Zealand
as there are very few instructors working along these classical lines, couple with
the ability to ride and school the horses correctly."

      CLICK HERE to view more of Dieter's References