Giorgia Ghizzoni of Hatha Equus International
Giorgia Ghizzoni is the co-founder of Hatha Equus International and of the Co-Creational Horsemanship framework—a globally acclaimed integration of longevity-focused horse fitness, consent-based training, applied neuroscience, and soul-deep communication. Her clinics are science-packed, soul-nourishing, and radically horse-centered—without sacrificing performance or precision.
Centered and Confident
Unlock Downregulation for Your Sport Horse, through Science, Skills, and Soul
Sept 12–13: Clinic | Sept 14: Demo & Lecture
Hosted by NCDCTA | Led by Giorgia Ghizzoni of Hatha Equus International
Hosted by NCDCTA | Led by Giorgia Ghizzoni of Hatha Equus International
This clinic is mostly unmounted—because the real transformation starts before the saddle ever goes on. But hey, never say never.
Who this Clinic is for:
-> Riders who want lasting relaxation, not temporary obedience.
-> Horses who are "well-behaved" but never quite at ease
-> Amateurs and professionals who want to achieve results in equestrian sports without having to apologize to their horse about how they got there.
-> Riders who are ready to stop outsourcing their confidence to trainers, tack, or trends.
-> Professionals ready to increase their efficacy by expanding their toolbox beyond pressure and release
-> Horses who are "well-behaved" but never quite at ease
-> Amateurs and professionals who want to achieve results in equestrian sports without having to apologize to their horse about how they got there.
-> Riders who are ready to stop outsourcing their confidence to trainers, tack, or trends.
-> Professionals ready to increase their efficacy by expanding their toolbox beyond pressure and release
What We’ll Explore
This clinic blends applied neuroscience, biomechanics, science of behavior modification, and somatic wisdom to restore calm and confidence—on both ends of the lead rope.
This isn’t groundwork-as-usual. And it’s definitely not a checklist of tasks to perform with a tight jaw and a firm hand.
Instead, we’ll focus on:
✅ Nervous system downregulation
Learn to “read” your horse's body and emotional state like an open book—and guide them back into safety and flow.
✅ Clear Boundaries with Love™
Establish the kind of relational boundaries that feel safe and respectful for both of you—no power struggles required.
✅ Restorative Fitness Techniques
Help your horse feel amazing in their body—boosting self-efficacy and reducing the root causes of reactivity, tension, and evasiveness.
✅ Confidence-building for humans because let’s face it: the stress of competition (or just public riding!) can pull us way out of our center. We'll practice tools that bring you back into presence, focus, and trust in your leadership—without faking calm or forcing bravery.
This isn’t groundwork-as-usual. And it’s definitely not a checklist of tasks to perform with a tight jaw and a firm hand.
Instead, we’ll focus on:
✅ Nervous system downregulation
Learn to “read” your horse's body and emotional state like an open book—and guide them back into safety and flow.
✅ Clear Boundaries with Love™
Establish the kind of relational boundaries that feel safe and respectful for both of you—no power struggles required.
✅ Restorative Fitness Techniques
Help your horse feel amazing in their body—boosting self-efficacy and reducing the root causes of reactivity, tension, and evasiveness.
✅ Confidence-building for humans because let’s face it: the stress of competition (or just public riding!) can pull us way out of our center. We'll practice tools that bring you back into presence, focus, and trust in your leadership—without faking calm or forcing bravery.
💡 What to Expect
✔️ A supportive, no-judgment space to gently rewire stress into confidence and clarity.
✔️ Empowerment to read your horse like an open book, and to advocate for their comfort and clarity—on show day and every day.
✔️ Hatha Equus’s signature approach to fitness-enhancing, joy-sparking movement that your horse will actually want (crave!) to participate in.
✔️ Nervous system literacy tools that help you recognize when your horse (or you) are near threshold—and what to do about it, without escalating.
✔️ A few “aha!” moments that stay with you long after the clinic ends (and far beyond the barn).
✔️ Empowerment to read your horse like an open book, and to advocate for their comfort and clarity—on show day and every day.
✔️ Hatha Equus’s signature approach to fitness-enhancing, joy-sparking movement that your horse will actually want (crave!) to participate in.
✔️ Nervous system literacy tools that help you recognize when your horse (or you) are near threshold—and what to do about it, without escalating.
✔️ A few “aha!” moments that stay with you long after the clinic ends (and far beyond the barn).
Clinic Fee:
$150 (NCDCTA Members)
$300 (Non-Members)
$150 (NCDCTA Members)
$300 (Non-Members)
Clinic Fee Includes:
💻 Pre-Clinic Online Course
🌀 2-Day Clinic
(Sept 12–13)
🎟️ Priority Seating for Sunday’s Demo
(Sept 14)
🎙️ Priority Seating for Sunday’s Lecture
🍽️ Priority Booking for Dinner with the Clinician
🔁 Post-Clinic Live Q&A on Zoom
🌀 2-Day Clinic
(Sept 12–13)
🎟️ Priority Seating for Sunday’s Demo
(Sept 14)
🎙️ Priority Seating for Sunday’s Lecture
🍽️ Priority Booking for Dinner with the Clinician
🔁 Post-Clinic Live Q&A on Zoom
🚫 What Not to Expect
❌ One-size-fits-all techniques. Your horse is a whole being, not a flowchart. Co-Creational Horsemanship is a framework, a toolbox. Not an A-to-Z linear method.
❌ Shaming, blaming, or “should-ing”. You’re not incompetent. You’re not wrong. You’re exactly where you’re meant to be. (And you definitely should take up knitting if you feel such desire, but not as a replacement hobby to horses).
❌ Quick fixes through harsher gear. If you're looking for a magic bit or a pressure-based shortcut… this might not be your thing.
❌ Old-school dominance games. We're not here to “make your horse listen”. We're here to help you both feel safe enough to want to connect.
❌ Pretending everything’s fine. Avoiding the elephant(s) in the room(s).. You can bring your full self to this clinic—nerves, doubts, quirks, questions and all. So can your horse.
❌ Shaming, blaming, or “should-ing”. You’re not incompetent. You’re not wrong. You’re exactly where you’re meant to be. (And you definitely should take up knitting if you feel such desire, but not as a replacement hobby to horses).
❌ Quick fixes through harsher gear. If you're looking for a magic bit or a pressure-based shortcut… this might not be your thing.
❌ Old-school dominance games. We're not here to “make your horse listen”. We're here to help you both feel safe enough to want to connect.
❌ Pretending everything’s fine. Avoiding the elephant(s) in the room(s).. You can bring your full self to this clinic—nerves, doubts, quirks, questions and all. So can your horse.
Participants
Mariah Waters
GWS Chicago
Chicago is my trainer, Amy Brumbach’s, 3 year old homebred German Riding Pony. She brought him to a Hatha Equus clinic in February, and I later participated with a different horse in May. Amy, Chicago, and I have loved learning about Hatha Equus’ methods and practicing them at home. Chicago has been able to learn a lot about regulating in new environments, and I have found new ways to enjoy horses from the ground. I’m looking forward to attending my third Hatha Equus clinic with Chicago!
Liz Bromberg
Castelli CF
I am an adult amateur rider, and have trained and competed from Training level through Intermediaire 1. My horse, Chief, is an 8-year old Oldenburg gelding who has shown at Training and First level. I began working with him last fall, focusing on building relaxation, confidence, and partnership. Our training program includes trail riding, basic horsemanship skills (including ground work), and dressage. (To keep myself fit for riding, I also work out regularly.) Chief and I have made great strides together, and I look forward to continued progress in the Hatha clinic.
Jordan Mckenzie-Solis
Axel
I found Axel at an auction, where his past as an Amish cart horse had left him a little unsure of the world—but full of heart. Over time, we’ve worked through health challenges and built a partnership grounded in trust. Now, we’re training in dressage, where his sensitivity, curiosity, and bravery challenge me to be a better, more thoughtful rider every day. Axel is a sensitive soul with a big heart, and truly the kind of horse who makes the work, and the journey, worth it.
Aimee Wilson
Dripsey jimmy
Finley and I started our partnership in July 2020. Since then , we have grown up alongside each other, with the direction of our trainers. I was returning to riding after 25yrs. Finley was just starting his career as a 4 year old. We are “baby eventers”. After several falls, I have become fearful of cantering and definitely galloping. I second-guess my abilities, lack confidence, and am at times fearful of riding at all. I want to get over this. From the words of Taylor Swift, “ I’m the problem, its me!”
Kathy Evans
Paris
Paris and I have been a team for a little over a year. She had previously competed in the hunter ring as a short stirrup pony. Her previous owner had sadly outgrown her. We had a rocky start until a friend introduced me to a trainer who did ground work. We are currently competing in Equathons, a ride and run competition. She seems to enjoy her new job…..carbo loading is her favorite!
Melissa Ingram
smokey
I am an AA who has recently gotten back into the saddle after taking some time off for a variety of reasons, including starting a family and loosing my longtime heart horse. We brought Smokey home to join our family in July. We have been focusing on building his fitness (and mine!) and working on building our relationship from the ground up. I am excited for the opportunity to work with Hatha Equus and can’t wait to see what we learn and where this path takes us!
Ellen Ziemer
Szynergy
Szynergy is a 6 year old Hanoverian gelding by Sezuan out of an Ampere mare who was imported as a stallion over 3 years ago. He had been started under saddle as a 2-1/2 year old in Germany, and was shortly gelded after import. Rideability has been a consistent issue with multiple professional trainers and now I am taking over the ride and starting a retraining program. I am interested in techniques to help an anxious, sensitive horse build confidence and enjoyment in his work.
Dana Paczek
DaVinci's Jewel
DaVinci’s Jewel (“Jewel”) is a 14.1h 6-year-old Gypsy Vanner. Dana and Jewel began their partnership in Spring 2024, and have been focusing on their dressage foundations. Dana and Jewel were schooling Training Level prior to Jewel’s injury this fall. Currently Dana and Jewel are focusing on their groundwork fundamentals.
Schedule
(Fri 9/12 & Sat 9/13): Lathrop Arena
8:45 AM
Group Activity
9:00 AM
Group 1 (Dana, Mariah, Aimee, Melissa)
10:30 AM
Group 2 (Kathy, Jordan, Ellen, Liz)
12:00PM
Break for Group 2 to settle horses
12:15 pM
Q & A
12:30 PM
Break
1:30 PM
Group Activity
1:45 PM
Group 1 (Dana, Mariah, Aimee, Melissa)
2:45 PM
Group 2 (Kathy, Jordan, Ellen, Liz)
3:45 PM
Break for Group 2 to settle horses
4:00 PM
Q & A