Doina Fischer

About Doina Fischer  

MORE THAN 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, LEARNING AND DEVELOPING HORSEMANSHIP

For more than 40 years, Doina has dedicated her life to one question:

How can we help horses become stronger, more balanced and happier athletes through correct training?

Her answer is Classical Dressage with Biomechanics in Mind — bringing together the timeless principles of classical dressage with a modern understanding of equine biomechanics, functional anatomy and learning theory. Her approach is based on purposeful training that develops the horse physically and mentally while strengthening the partnership between horse and rider.

AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNEY

Born in Switzerland, Doina discovered her passion for horses at an early age. She earned her riding lessons by cleaning stables and riding difficult horses for a German-Romanian military trainer. After gaining experience in fox hunting, gymkhanas and Western riding, she turned her attention to classical dressage.

Her studies took her to Mas de Malibu in France, where she trained under Sadko G. Solinski, a student of the renowned Nuno Oliveira. There, she deepened her understanding of equine anatomy, movement, nutrition and horse management while working with Andalusians, Lusitanos, Camargue and other Baroque horses.

Her international career has taken her from owning a riding centre in Tuscany to working and training in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Spain and across Europe. Along the way, she continued to learn from respected horsemen and women, including Dominique Barbier, Luis Ramos Paul y Davide, former Head Trainer of the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre in Jerez, Spain, and Yvonne Visser de Ramiro.

TRAINING, COMPETING AND DEVELOPING HORSES

As Head Trainer for Luis Ramos in Spain, Doina prepared Andalusian stallions for SICAB and trained Saltador V, Spanish Champion in 1997. She later founded Earthbeat, a project that brought together Classical Dressage and Flamenco, reflecting her interest in the connection between movement, expression and feel.

A VISION FOR DRESSAGE IN BRAZIL

One of the most significant chapters of Doina's career took place in Brazil, where her contribution extended far beyond the training of individual horses.

She played an essential role in bringing structured young horse education to the Brazilian Lusitano community, introducing FEI Young Horse principles and helping establish a stronger foundation for the development of Lusitano sport horses.

Doina recognised that lasting progress required more than good individual training. It also depended on education, international exchange and access to experienced professionals. She therefore worked to connect Brazilian riders, breeders and trainers with international judges and experts, organising clinics, competitions and educational seminars. These encounters created valuable opportunities to exchange knowledge, develop skills and gain a better understanding of international standards.

This work contributed to the development of Brazilian Lusitanos as sport horses and helped strengthen their pathways towards international competition. Today, Brazil is represented within the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) through its member organisation, providing opportunities for Brazilian-bred horses to participate in World Breeding Championships.

For Doina, this was about more than introducing a young horse programme. It was about creating lasting opportunities, strengthening education and opening doors for horses and people in Brazil.

As Manager and Head Trainer at Haras Crystal, she continued to develop Lusitano sport horses, guiding young prospects towards competition. In 2011, she won the Small Tour with Unico JB.

WORKING EQUITATION: FROM BRAZIL TO THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA

Working Equitation had already been established in Brazil for many years. During her time there, Doina became an accredited Working Equitation judge and judged numerous championships, gaining valuable experience and a deep understanding of the discipline.

When she continued her international teaching career, she took Working Equitation with her, introducing the discipline to riders and equestrian communities in countries where it was still relatively new. Through her clinics, she helped bring its excitement and possibilities to new audiences, showing how its obstacles and challenges can complement classical dressage, develop a more versatile horse and create an even stronger partnership between horse and rider.

CLASSICAL PRINCIPLES, BIOMECHANICS AND THE INDIVIDUAL HORSE

Doina's ongoing study of equine biomechanics, including her work with Dr Gerd Heuschmann, has become central to her teaching. Rather than chasing quick results, she helps riders understand how horses move, why exercises work and when a horse is ready to progress.

She believes that good training must respect each horse's physical possibilities, mental development and individual needs. The aim is not simply to perform an exercise, but to understand its purpose and how it can contribute to the horse's long-term development.

TEACHING AND SHARING KNOWLEDGE

Today, Doina teaches internationally through clinics, private training, lectures, articles, videos and educational programmes. Since relocating in April 2025 to the tri-border region of Switzerland, France and Germany, she has continued to share her knowledge of Classical Dressage with Biomechanics in Mind and Working Equitation with riders and equestrian professionals around the world.

Speaking and teaching in six languages — German, English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian— allows Doina to communicate directly with riders and professionals from different countries and equestrian cultures, making knowledge and experience accessible across language barriers.

Her work has always reached beyond the training arena. Whether developing an individual horse, educating a rider or helping create wider educational opportunities, her aim remains the same: to make a lasting difference to the way we understand, train and care for horses.

HER PHILOSOPHY

Only a horse that is correctly developed, physically sound and mentally motivated can reach its true athletic potential.