ABOUT OUR HEAD TRAINER
Arete Equestrian is proudly owned and operated by USDF Silver Medalist Teresa Ball, a professional rider based in Bozeman, MT. In 1999, Teresa began riding at a local stable just south of Rosemount, Minnesota, and was instantly hooked. From that time on, her life’s ambition became becoming the most successful rider, trainer, and coach that she could.
Never one to turn down an opportunity to ride, Teresa worked diligently as a stablehand, working-student, and groom to accelerate her career. She developed a knack for riding and training unorthodox and “quirky” horses, developing each one to their highest potential. Teresa has helped develop several young horses undersaddle and enjoys helping progress their education in the sport of Dressage.
Teresa’s ambitions include obtaining her USDF Gold Medal, competing internationally, and eventually moving forward with education to become a licensed USDF judge. She enjoys helping all levels of riders, and maintains the viewpoint that dressage is for every athlete, no matter the saddle or discipline.
Teresa draws inspiration from a diverse range of nationally and internationally recognized professionals. She has had the privilege of training with multiple well-known clinicians, including Betsy Steiner, WEG Bronze Medalist Leslie Morse, and students of International World Cup rider Lisa Wilcox as well as esteemed judges Lilo Fore and Gary Rockwell. Additionally, she has learned from 3* Paralympic and ‘S’ Judge Christel Carlson, and international CDI Grand Prix riders Jenny Baldwin and Nadine Schwartsman. Teresa also regularly lessons and rides with her coach Christine Robinson, a USDF Gold Medalist with multiple USDF Regional Champion finishes up to I-1.
Outside of Dressage, Teresa has achieved success in regional equitation Medal Finals and hunter derbies, and she enjoys riding and coaching in the jumpers as well. She has coached a diverse range of riders at various levels across all three rings. Her students have qualified for the USHJA Finals in Las Vegas and have earned year-end awards from local show associations, along with numerous Champion and Reserve Champion finishes in several local show series.
“Teresa is an extremely knowledgable and talented horsewoman! She understands how to communicate with horse and rider to foster success in many different riding disciplines. She has helped me and my green horse grow immensely since we have started training with her!”— Tara
In the field of Natural Horsemanship, Teresa has trained extensively with Jennifer Collman, a highly respected trainer and expert in equine behavior who has started thousands of colts undersaddle. Additionally, she has learned from several students of Buck Brannaman, integrating insights from these esteemed professionals into her groundwork, riding, and training methodologies.
Teresa has experience in starting and producing young horses, as well as restarting those labeled as “problem horses.” She is adept at resolving training issues and takes pride in her kind and gentle approach with all her equine athletes. Emphasizing positive reinforcement and personal growth, Teresa focuses on setting both students and horses up for success with their goals. She firmly believes that “dressage is for every athlete,” no matter the saddle or discipline.
