Marji Armstrong Profile

Marji Armstrong is the proprietor and principal trainer at Yardah, an equestrian centre based in Cranbrook in the south west of Western Australia. She is also founder and president of Classical Horsemastership International (CHI). Marji has been travelling extensively through Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Austria, Italy, America, Canada, Africa and Asia teaching and sharing her philosophy and broad knowledge of horse mastership since 1992.

Marji trained for several years with both the late Franz Mairinger of Spanish Riding School, Vienna and Maestro Nuno Oliveira, of Portugal. In retrospect Marji realises that her training with Franz had prepared her to hear the magic of Nuno Oliveira. Nuno inspired her with a philosophy of working in harmony and co-operation with the horse, rather than achieving results by domination. Following his death, Marji trained with Nuno's son, Joao and was invited to train for a short period at Ecole Nationale de Equitation (Le Cadre Noir) Saumur, France. On numerous visits to Portugal, Mestre Luis Valença and the famous bull fighter Manuel Jorge de Oliveira have provided Marji with support and inspiration.

Equally important and parallel to the training with the Masters, has been the experience gained from working with both:

her own large herd of horses over many years (the University of Life), ranging from breeding and training newborn foals to the advanced training of mature horses in Haute Ecole, Grand Prix level dressage and Showjumping; and

with students and thousands of horses around the world, encompassing an enormous diversity of different breeds.

She currently has nine stallions in work, competing in dressage and showjumping. These stallions also form part of the team of school-master horses available for students in training at Yardah. In addition to both competing and training students, these stallions stand at stud and are used as part of the development of the Spanish Warmblood breeding program.

Before Marji became involved with teaching, she competed successfully in F.E.I. dressage, the show ring and horse trials. For some years she held an International Competitors Licence.

Yardah's founding stallion, "Dulcero" a Spanish Andalusian is the male progenitor of the Spanish Warmblood breed. Trained by Marji, he won every ridden stallion event (against all breeds) at the Perth Royal Show FOR SEVEN CONSECUTIVE YEARS. (1985-1991). As further proof of Marji's successful training methods, Dulcero (at age 17) won 1996 Australian National Champion Ridden Andalusian. In addition, her Yardah Stud won the 1996 Australian National Leading Andalusian Exhibitor Trophy.

Much of Marji's time is spent teaching dedicated students around the world. With the assistance of some of her students, Marji has developed an Accreditation Program which allows students to work towards formal recognition of their achievements.

Marji isn't just a horse trainer, but a people person too, with a high degree of skill in encouraging and nurturing people, assisting with their motivation and challenging their personal boundaries. Those who come for the first time are amazed at the results even a beginner (horse or rider) can achieve by working in the soft, relaxed manner - as espoused by the Classical Masters. Many "problem" horses (all breeds, sizes and ages) are brought to clinics as a last resort. After five days the riders leave having gained the necessary "tools" to work with their horses in harmony. Considerable time is also spent working to assist riders find their natural self balance through a deep and relaxed position. To do this very simple body awareness exercises are introduced.

Marji is continually being requested to include her specialised five day intensive clinics on the international teaching circuit.

Around the world more than 50% of students do two clinics a year. This high return rate is producing outstanding quality of work. It is evidence of Marji's and her fellow CHI instructor's ability to motivate and communicate their skills and techniques to students at all levels.

In her "spare time" Marji oversees a Spanish Andalusian and Spanish Warmblood stud. These horses have gained a reputation in the Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and show jumping. She was the National Vice President of The Andalusian Horse Association of Australasia 1995 - 1996, and a finalist in Rural Woman of the Year.

At Equitana Australasia 99 a team of Marji's students performed a very popular 18th Century Carousel in The Mane Event. Marji also presented a daily demonstration of the In-Hand work achieved by C.H.I. students.

Somewhere in her busy schedule Marji has also managed to add published author to her resume, with the soon to be released book "Classical Training Demystified." She has also written a number of articles for magazines and other publications.

Taking people and horses beyond their natural talent to their ultimate potential.