Schoolmaster & Horse Lease Program
Access to elite horses, reserved for experienced and proven DI riders.
This program is not open to the public.
Our Schoolmaster and Competition Horse leases are available only to known DI members — riders who have completed our programs, understand the German Training Scale, and have demonstrated the professionalism, empathy, and skill that align with our values.
It exists for established riders who either compete actively or live remotely and need a high-level horse to continue their training. Each application is considered individually and only accepted where the match, location, and goals align with DI’s standards of care and progression.
What it offers
Each horse in the program is trained in line with the German Training Scale — from confirmed Prix St. Georges through to full Grand Prix level.
Every horse has established flying changes, pirouettes, and the physical and mental balance required for sustained, correct work.
These are competition-ready athletes, not school ponies. They are available exclusively to trusted DI riders who wish to train or campaign without the financial risks and unpredictability of ownership.
Where applicable, DI manages all aspects of the horse’s care, stabling, and welfare directly.
For riders leasing horses based at approved facilities, we maintain a hands-on advisory role — guiding and monitoring stable management, training standards, and wellbeing to ensure the same consistency and professionalism across all locations.
This structure allows riders to focus entirely on development and competition performance, while DI safeguards the horse’s welfare, training quality, and long-term soundness.
Why riders choose this program
The traditional model of ownership is often where progress breaks down.
We buy a horse we’ve met twice, hope it’s the right one, and then face every risk alone — mismatch, stalled development, or burnout.
DI’s lease program offers a professional alternative. You gain access to international-quality horses at a fraction of the purchase cost, for a defined period, supported by DI’s team. If your current combination no longer fits your stage of development or isn’t performing as intended, we reassign you to a better match so your progress continues — uninterrupted and uncompromised.
This program delivers the same level of access and structure that top professional riders enjoy: multiple horses, managed care, and consistent development — without the uncertainty.
The standard of horses
All horses available for lease are trained and maintained according to the German Training Scale, with minimum qualifications at Prix St. Georges and many competing at Grand Prix.
The difference between them lies in their style and expression. Some are steady and confidence-building — ideal for riders consolidating feel and balance. Others are more powerful or expressive, suited to advanced refinement and higher-level competition.
Over the past 12 months, DI-leased horses have competed in major venues across the UK, Europe, and the USA — including Wellington — with results in the high 60s at Grand Prix and low to mid 70s in Prix St. Georges.
Who it’s for
- Existing DI members who have completed at least one DI program (Online, Seminar, or Squad)
- Riders competing at affiliated or FEI levels seeking access to advanced-quality horses
- Remote-based DI members requiring a horse for ongoing local training
- Riders preparing for targeted show seasons or specific competitive campaigns
Each lease is individually structured according to rider goals, location, and timeframe.
Horses are available globally for both training and competition — including placements in the UK, Europe, Australia, and North America.
The limitations
This program is deliberately limited in scale.
Each horse represents years of correct, systematic training under the German Training Scale and is placed only with riders who share DI’s ethics, empathy, and professional responsibility.
Leases are time-bound and performance-focused, ensuring the welfare of the horse and the clarity of the rider’s goals.
Availability
Entry to the Schoolmaster & Competition Horse Lease Program is by invitation or referral only.
Applications are reviewed privately and accepted only from current DI members in good standing.
Because the number of available horses is small and renewal rates are high, new opportunities are rare.
Riders are encouraged to express interest well ahead of the intended competition or training period.
