Martingale Equine Solutions

John von Haas

John started his career at the age of seventeen, beginning early Calvary training - bareback on the end of a lunge line. “It was incredibly hard,” he laughs today. This early training: posting, torso rotation, and balance at all three gaits created an unshakable seat, and a determination to train horses. His classic seat and soft hands assured him positions in hunt/jump barns, academies and stables around the Pacific Northwest.

In 1990, he became assistant trainer/manager at Tulsa Bound Quarter Horses, based in Eugene , Oregon . He studied California and hackamore reining with Gabriel Denison, also working at-risk horses and problem horses from the track.

His greatest influence can be attributed to the famous Harold Black, of the Esquela Equestre in Mexico City. John constantly uses these Calvary exercises in his riding lessons and training methods. As well as classic jumper form as taught by Tim Stockdale and others. After moving to Central Oregon , John has worked as veterinarian's assistant, equine trauma trainer, and ranch operations manager. He also has continued his education through Oregon State University , studying Stable Management, equine performance nutrition.

In 1998 he began to develop his Gentlehorse © technique, a method of classical training through positive reinforcement and since then he has worked with many trainers and stables to rehabilitate abused and traumatized horses, through consultation and hands-on solutions. He believes that every horse and rider should form a partnership of cooperation. His personal seminars reflect his commitment to communication, and results for both horse and rider. John prefers to works with all breeds though he is known as a Thoroughbred specialist. Achieving maximum teamwork and maximum performance from his students and horses are his passion.

Gabriel Denison

Born in Tulsa , Oklahoma , Gabriel Denison grew up in the show stables of Dee Bar Farms, home of Docs Dee Bar , in Eugene Oregon. Showing registered Quarter Horses, under the tutelage of Don Avila, she was awarded Top Five Youth of the state in 1971 and has earned many other honors in her AQHA career. Her interest in the beauty of the California reining tradition began sitting on a fence in the Willamette Valley watching Bobby Avila and his dad tirelessly take their show stock to finished horses. Always in love with diversity and classical roots, she studied hackamore reinsmanship, along with Native American Horsemanship. She, herself, is of Cherokee and Creek descent.

Gabriel worked at Tony Peterson Stables in Eugene , Oregon for 3 years showing gaited horses under saddle, and hackney ponies in harness. She rode in the Equestrian Jump Team at the University of Denver , and in 1977 and 1978 the AQHA mare, Dee Bar Cookie, bred and trained by Gabriel, won High Point Pleasuring Driving for the State of Oregon . She prefers all horses to drive as well as ride.

“Education empowers the horse. The more he can do, the better homes he will have throughout his life." Her wide expanse of experience has enabled her to contribute to the equine world in many areas, including her rehab abilities, and senior horse placement.

Ms. Denison has managed multi-disciplined stables, held riding camps for youth-at-risk, and speaks on equine behavior and psychology. She wrote and directed the Horsemanship Chapter of Bend Community School from 2000-2003 in Bend , Oregon . She also works as a freelance writer for several horse related publications, and is the owner of Martingale Equine.

She is truly born to the horse.

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John von Haas

Gabriel Denison