Craig Stevens, In Honor of Our Great Friend & Even Greater Mentor

Megan Sorentino was honored to be one of Craig Stevens’ many students for more than a decade and plans to continue Craig’s work for the rest of her life. Megan is head trainer at Classical Horsemanship located at Falcon’s Landing in Fort Collins, CO.

Craig Stevens was the director and founder of the Snohomish, Washington based riding school, The National School of Academic Equitation. For the last four years of his life, Craig relocated and retired at Falcon’s Landing,

Craig passed away in his sleep March 3rd, 2024. During these last years at Falcon’s Landing, Craig taught students online as well as a handful of in person students. He helped Classical Horsemanship train their school horses during, had a couple private horses in training, and put a great amount of focus into helping Megan establish Classical Horsemanship as a successful riding school.

“During these four years Craig was my close guiding mentor. He always knew when to encourage me when I felt like I wasn’t doing well, and at the same time give me a new perspective when my ego got too big. My favorite thing was that in the last couple years of Craig’s life when I came to him with a horse problem or asked his opinion, he gave me ideas that were close to what I was already thinking. Even though Craig trained me very well, I will miss our late-night talks on equitation when everyone else got bored with us and went to bed. Craig may no longer be with me in person, but I hear him every time I ride, so I know he will always be present.” -Megan Sorentino

Craig was so happy these last four years at Falcon’s Landing; he felt balance in being able to ride without the responsibilities of running a barn. Craig delighted in frequent bike rides with his lovely fiancé, Gale Linsley. He also enjoyed learning to play the banjo, draw, and spend time with Megan Sorentino and Joe Sorentino, whom he called his adopted family.

Craig Helped Many

Craig’s passing away was mourned in many corners of the world.  Megan was only one of Craig’s many senior students that he taught and shared laughs with. He worked as a consultant, dividing his time between promoting gentle and compassionate classical horsemanship and clinic tours. He was a much sought after international clinician, with a regular touring schedule that includes sites throughout Europe, Canada and the United States. 

His own articles and articles about him have appeared in many national and international publications around the world, including Hast Focus in Sweden, Tunne Hevonen in Finland, Ride Magazine and Flying Changes in the US.

Craig has two books both co-written with Mary Anne Campbell: The first on the Theory of Classical Equitation, the second on the Classical Work In Hand. He’s also co-author a book written with Mary Anne Campbell about Mediterranean Horsemanship, a classical approach to ground work that joins the calm and warmth of a natural approach with the precise understanding of classical work.

Craig’s Education & Training

Craig Stevens was an acknowledged master of the horse and an expert on equitation history. Professor Invgar Fredricson, head of Flyinge (the Swedish National Stud) from 1983 to 1998 appreciates Craig's decades of study and refers to him as an "American scholar of the horse".

Dag Nätterqvist  ("Dadde") the Swedish Olympic jumping star as well as a prominent teacher remembered for his years teaching at Strömsholm - the Swedish National Riding School, said "Craig Stevens is the first really good riding teacher to teach dressage in Sweden since the 1950s." Craig's work is supported by Philippe Karl, the French classical master, and recommended by many internationally recognized natural horsemanship clinicians and trainers.

Craig was one of very few Americans recognized as having the skill to offer clinics in Europe, where he had been touring regularly since 1997.

Training Method

Craig’s teaching and training was based on a method much older than what is commonly used today. There are problems in the modern system of riding that are entirely predictable—that were, in fact, engineered intentionally by cavalry trainers who modified riding to answer 19th century military needs. If you're discouraged by your experience in riding, if the modern riding culture just doesn't seem quite right to you, or if achieving higher level movements seems a distant dream- you are not alone. There are time tested, much older alternatives to the common approach that avoid the problems common training creates by design.

Many years ago, Craig was one of those riders who had a sense that there was something more that he wanted in the relationship with horses and equitation. As a student, Craig worked with the best of the 20th century classical trainers, studying with such master horsemen as Joao Oliveira of Portugal, the French masters Michel Henriquet and François Lemaire de Ruffieu, members of the Cadre Noir, as well as with Katherine Durand. Most importantly, he learned to read French in order to research equitation history. He read everything he could get his hands on; constantly engaged in a relentlessly joyful pursuit of an equestrian education.

Over the years, Craig tested what he was learning, making it a point to separate out what is "right" because it's a current understanding, influenced by prevailing culture and unrecognized myth, and what is "right" from the point of view of what is most effective for the horse. Studying the historic texts helped him put modern ideas into perspective against a wider backdrop, and helped him develop the tools to test his results empirically. These tools are what we use at Classical Horsemanship today.

Craig was adamant that this was not “his” system, but rather is very old classical work drawn from historical sources and informed by the horses he's ridden.

Non-Profit

Craig left his equestrian library to Megan at Falcon’s Landing. This library includes over 700 equestrian books and notes in print, and even more digital works. To honor Craig’s work and promote his equestrian philosophy, The Craig Steven’s Equestrian Foundation has been established. This nonprofit is about honoring Craig’s work, helping to spread his legacy, and to help as many horses and riders as possible.  

Stay tuned for more information about this foundation and how to donate.