Hi, I’m Lisette Zandvoort
Horses have shaped my life for as long as I can remember. I began like many riders—wanting to ride better, do more, improve. But over time, that ambition shifted. I became far more curious about why horses respond the way they do, and what that asks of the rider.
That curiosity changed everything.
My path eventually led me from the Netherlands to the United States, where I spent 18 years living and working on a ranch in Colorado.
Those years taught me to look far beyond technique—to pay attention to timing, to notice the smallest changes before they become problems, and to take responsibility for the responses I was creating in the horse.
What I value most today is helping riders understand what their horse is trying to communicate. Not just what to do, but why something is happening in the first place.
Every reaction from the horse means something. And when riders learn to recognize those signals—physically and emotionally—the entire conversation changes.
After returning to The Netherlands in 2018, that part of my work naturally became more central.
Today, I focus on creating awareness in riders:
helping them become clearer, more conscious, and more connected in the way they communicate with their horse.
Not through force or quick fixes, but through timing, feel, and understanding.
Over the years, I have started countless young horses under saddle, guiding them through their first stages of life in the human world. I have shown both my own horses and horses for clients, mainly in working disciplines such as reining, ranch versatility, and trail.
But my focus has always been on the horse itself—not on creating a “show horse,” but on developing a horse that is happy, confident, capable, and reliable.
A horse that works.
When that foundation is solid, stepping into the show pen becomes a natural extension of the partnership, not the reason for it.
I still draw on everything I’ve done in the past—starting horses, training, and showing—but I don’t believe in chasing results for the sake of it.
For me, it’s about building something that lasts.
A horse that understands.
A rider who can respond.
And a partnership that works—not only in ideal situations, but in everyday life.
My Approach
My approach today is built around feel, timing, awareness, and partnership.
Every horse is different — and every conversation matters.