Anke Hawke Balanced Dressage

Anke Hawke Balanced Dressage Growing up in a sailing family in the north of Germany and not “getting” the idea of always being wet and cold and in the wind ….. didn’t seem to be my ‘thing’.

Horse and Rider Education,
Whether you're seeking private lessons or intensive workshops, we aim to instil confidence and trust from the very foundations of your training. Early on I started pestering my parents (a lot) that I would like to learn how to ride. Once I convinced them, the rest is history! Escaping on my bike to the delicious smell of horses, their soft noses and their gentle nature.

Most horses become your friend and offer so much for me, they always come first and the sport second. Most horses give you everything without a second thought of their own well-being
You look into their faces and you can see their facial expressions. They are curious and yes, the first instinct is to run, but the second is to come and investigate and be noisy! The safer they feel, the more they are happy to hang around and learn. Horses that are in balance and harmony with their rider are such a pleasure to watch. The horse starts to shine and dance with a sparkle in their eyes. They look after their rider and, as long as the rider looks after them, it is an astonishing and ever-growing partnership. For me, horses have the great ability to make everything complete- having an excellent way of communicating without saying a word. They are incredibly forgiving and don’t have ‘agenda’, they are in the here and now
Horses are the original masters of Mindfulness! If you treat them with respect, you have a friend for life. By now you can tell my work is my passion and I have spent years acquiring knowledge on all aspects of the horse as well as the art of riding. I keep studying and learning, to improve my own skills to help my students riding and their horses. Subjects like biomechanics, physiology, neurology, mindset, movement, Feldenkrais, saddle fit, soundness, hoof care and conformation are some of my interests. My approach is always holistic for both horse and rider. Horses and riders that are in balance and harmony are a joy and pleasure to follow. As a rider, I am always looking to fine-tune my own skills as well as others. I don’t just teach, I ride. If you are seeking an authentic partnership with your horse or simply want to improve your riding, please call me on
0408 882 730
or contact me by messenger
With anything, in particular, you would like to work on or questions, you might have.

23/05/2026

It’s finally starting to feel very real now. The horses have officially been dropped off at their holiday destination while I head off for the internship, and somehow that made the whole thing suddenly feel both exciting and very emotional at the same time.

I dropped off my two main riding horses with good friend, @ Katie Tullia and family, who are going to look after them for me while I’m away. I’m incredibly grateful to have a home away from home for them I trust so much with the horses, and I know they’ll be very well cared for.

I think one of them is probably quite looking forward to the spell too. He grew a huge amount mentally and physically over the last year, and sometimes a proper break is exactly what they need.

But goodness… the farm suddenly feels very empty without the two cheeky chirps around the place. You really notice all the little routines and personalities once they’re gone.

In true Katie style though, we finished the day with a highlight.

“Come on, you wanted to help move cattle, didn’t you?”

So instead of a dramatic goodbye, we ended up out moving a mob of cattle around before dropping the horses off for their holiday. Honestly, it was probably the perfect way to finish things off — practical, slightly chaotic, and good for the soul.

I think that little adventure actually made leaving a bit easier, because instead of just focusing on the goodbye, it also reminded me how exciting this next chapter really is. ✨

21/05/2026

Manners for life 🧡🤎

I had two young fillies here on agistment for a little while, and it really reminded me again how important good human interaction is for horses. Not in a forceful way, but in a life skills kind of way — being easy to catch, halter, lead, move paddocks, handle their legs and quietly load on the float.

None of this happens overnight. Little and often is really the game, especially with young horses. I always want to leave them thinking, “that was fun… can we do more?” because they’re curious, intelligent and genuinely eager to please when they don’t feel overwhelmed.

These two were absolutely delightful and fun to teach. They were little sponges and honestly enjoyed having something to do instead of just standing in a paddock all day. Young horses are intelligent beings. They want to interact, explore and learn.

What was lovely was seeing the change in them. When they first arrived after a long trip, unfamiliar places and an overnight stay away from home, they wanted absolutely nothing to do with me. The minute I walked into the paddock, they would leave. They’d come to the feed bucket, but they certainly weren’t keen on human interaction yet.

By the time I dropped them home, they walked quietly onto the float, travelled well, walked off politely and settled straight into the new paddock. They’d become relaxed, confident and genuinely quite cool little horses to have around.

These gentle little horses will make really lovely young horses for someone one day. They’re keen, smart and willing, with a good head on their shoulders to learn. They might need a little bit of time to process things, but they really try their hearts out, and I wish them all the best for their future lives 🤍✨

Anyway, just a little reminder that good manners and confidence are built in tiny moments over time 🤍✨

21/05/2026

Horses in our history

Good horses are made in partnership.And I think sometimes horse riding is one of the few sports where people believe tha...
20/05/2026

Good horses are made in partnership.

And I think sometimes horse riding is one of the few sports where people believe that if they buy a very well-trained horse, they will instantly ride like the person who trained it.

But if I handed someone the tennis racquet of Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal, it wouldn’t suddenly make them play tennis at that level.
And if someone sat down at the grand piano of Lang Lang or Martha Argerich, it wouldn’t magically turn them into a concert pianist overnight either.

What we do recognise in other sports and crafts is the amount of time behind the scenes.

Years of lessons.
Years of refining basics.
Hours of repetition.
Tiny adjustments repeated over and over again until the craft becomes softer, easier, more fluent, and more refined.

Most top riders, athletes, musicians, and craftspeople all started humbly. They learned step by step. Often with fairly ordinary equipment in the beginning. But as their skill improved, the quality of their tools started to matter more because they could actually feel the refinement.

I think horses are very similar.

A quality horse with a kind mind, good training, and a willing attitude absolutely helps. In fact, it can make a huge difference. But the horse still needs a rider who is willing to learn the timing, balance, feel, coordination, and softness that makes true partnership possible.

And that’s why I’m so proud of my students who keep showing up.
The riders who take lessons regularly.
Who practice.
Who ask questions.
Who quietly keep refining themselves alongside their horses.

Because that’s how really lovely horses are made. Not through shortcuts, but through years of thoughtful partnership and consistent education together. 🤍

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that buying a quality horse in the beginning really does matter.Not because the...
18/05/2026

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that buying a quality horse in the beginning really does matter.

Not because the horse has to be fancy or expensive, but because a horse with a good mind, a kind attitude, and a solid foundation can make the whole journey so much more enjoyable for both horse and rider.

When horses have had difficult starts, injuries, poor training, or long-term compensation patterns, it often means you have to go back several steps first. You need to look at why the horse struggles. Is it balance? Pain? Confusion? Strength? Fear? Habit?

That doesn’t make them bad horses at all. Some of the kindest and most willing horses I know are rehab horses or horses that needed a second chance. But it does change the journey and sometimes also changes what that horse finds easy, enjoyable, or sustainable long term.

Not every horse will happily become a big competition horse or travel every weekend. Some horses use a huge amount of physical or mental energy just coping with daily work, and I think part of good horsemanship is learning to listen to that honestly.

Choosing your next horse wisely matters.
A trainable horse with a good attitude, a suitable temperament, and a body that can comfortably do the job is worth its weight in gold. 🤍

17/05/2026

If you own animals that are all slowly turning silver… you’ll never be the whitest one in the family 😅

Between the Lusitano buckskin, the beautiful Lipizzaner cross going silver, and even the merle Koolie, we all seem to be growing whiter and wiser together in very good company.

A much nicer way of looking at it than calling everyone grey 🤍✨

Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

🐴🐾✨

14/05/2026

Yes — and with every new horse comes a whole new partnership and learning curve.

You learn how to become their human. Their friend, co-worker, buddy. One horse might need you quieter, another clearer, another more confident or more playful. And just like with people, the conversation changes depending on who you are talking to.

We all have different conversations with different friends, and horses are no different. A really educated horse still needs you to learn their language, their buttons, their rhythm and personality. That part can’t be bought — it’s built over time together.

That’s why I admire riders who stay dedicated to the process. Not just buying a nice horse, but taking the time to become a better partner for that horse too. That’s where the real magic sits. ✨

My pot of gold really was at the end of the rainbow today 🌈✨The rainbow landed right on top of the horse stables while t...
12/05/2026

My pot of gold really was at the end of the rainbow today 🌈✨
The rainbow landed right on top of the horse stables while the four horses underneath were happily standing there completely unaware of it all. Sometimes farm life gives you little moments that feel pretty special. 🖤🩶🦄

🦄✨

Thank you, Lynette Margaret Leonard , for showing me how to organise the halters without needing a sailor’s degree or le...
10/05/2026

Thank you, Lynette Margaret Leonard , for showing me how to organise the halters without needing a sailor’s degree or learning fancy nautical knots. 😅

Honestly, this is probably the easiest and neatest way to hang up a halter. They sit nicely on the hooks, are easy to grab and carry, and best of all, I’m no longer getting tangled up in a pile of ropes every morning.

Funny how the small things can make the whole tack room feel calmer and more organised. Best little surprise.

Starting the week organised… one halter at a time. 🎠✨

🖤

09/05/2026

I always have to sneak a laugh when I think about Shelly’s saying that first the horse gods send you unicorns, then they send you awesome horses… and then eventually they send you horses so you actually learn something 😂

Well, clearly I needed to learn that I apparently still have an inner child, and that bravery is not something every horse automatically comes with built in. Sometimes we actually have to teach them that the world is okay and that forward is an option. Bit of a steep learning curve really 😄

And honestly, this whole experience reminded me again how much it takes a community to make you a better horse person. The more good people you have around you cheering you on, helping you, giving you homework, and backing you when things feel uncomfortable, the easier it becomes to keep showing up and trying again.

Lucy definitely did not become more confident because of one magic ride. There were lots of little pieces and lots of soundness involved — better diet, gut health work, front shoes, groundwork, lunging, consistency, and friends helping me get both her brain and my brain into a better place.

First the homework was:
“Lunge her. Get her fit. Keep it simple.”

Then the next homework was:
“Take her somewhere safe and just ride her forward so you get out of your own head.”

Easy for them to say 😂 But I think sometimes when you’ve watched someone else do it first, suddenly it becomes possible.

The challenge was always whether Lucy would actually take me to the beach safely, soundly, and willingly enough. Anyway… challenge accepted. Thank you 💛

Today we took both grey ponies to the beach, and I have the loveliest picture of Lucy absolutely flying along. And honestly, she’s just a fun horse. She doesn’t particularly enjoy prancing around in the arena, which is a bit of a shame, but she definitely brings the inner child out in me.

And having another safe horse there — her paddock mate and friend Captain Jack under Katie’s guidance — made the whole outing feel safe and fun. Katie’s expertise of knowing when to hold and when to fold was brilliant. The horses know each other well, so they didn’t mind bumping into each other, splashing through waves together, and generally finding confidence in each other. Meanwhile, I was probably the chicken in the whole experience 😂

I’m still grinning that it actually happened.

Big wins after lots and lots of little chipping away ✨



Address

775 Minimbah Road
Minimbah, NSW
2312

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Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
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Friday 8am - 5pm
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