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Richard Williams began riding in Canada at the age of eleven and was introduced to dressage at fifteen. From an early age, he developed a deep interest in the theory, history, and ethical foundations of riding—an interest that has guided his lifelong commitment to the promotion and preservation of Classical Horsemanship.

Mr. Williams is widely read in equestrian literature and has devoted decades to the close study of classical riding texts, historical manuals, and modern works grounded in traditional principles. As founder and publisher of Xenophon Press, he has edited, translated, and published more than one hundred equestrian titles. Each work has been read, edited, and reviewed repeatedly—often five times or more—resulting in an unusually deep and practical command of classical theory, biomechanics, and training methodology. This editorial rigor has contributed profoundly to his personal knowledge base and to the wider dissemination of authentic classical horsemanship.

In addition to his scholarly work, Mr. Williams possesses extensive practical expertise in in-hand work, including the gymnastic development, correction, and rehabilitation of horses from the ground. His in-hand practice reflects a refined understanding of posture, balance, engagement, and correct progression in training.

Since 1983, Mr. Williams has instructed private students in dressage and classical equitation and has presented clinics in numerous states. He has participated in judges’ forums, instructors’ seminars, and a wide range of advanced educational programs devoted to classical riding and instruction.

Mr. Williams studied with Charles de Kunffy and co-taught with him for eighteen years, gaining both pedagogical experience and a broad exposure to classical theory as applied to modern instruction. He also studied under Arthur Kottas-Heldenberg in Vienna, former First Chief Rider of the Spanish Riding School, and has studied extensively with Gyula Dallos in Budapest, Hungary, through extended periods of concentrated private instruction. These experiences provided him with practical training across all levels of horses, from young prospects to advanced school movements.

Mr. Williams has attended and studied at all four of Europe’s great classical equestrian institutions: the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art in Lisbon, the École de Cavalerie in Saumur, and the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez. He has audited training sessions and performances at each, gaining firsthand insight into their differing traditions, methodologies, and institutional cultures.

He has attended World Championships of Dressage, World Equestrian Games, and Olympic dressage competitions, often with accredited press access that allowed close observation of warm-up, training, and coaching sessions, as well as direct conversations with leading riders and trainers.

Through decades of teaching, study, publishing, and hands-on work with horses, Richard Williams has developed a rare synthesis of practical horsemanship, historical literacy, editorial discipline, and instructional experience. His work through Xenophon Press has played a significant role in preserving, clarifying, and promoting classical horsemanship for riders, trainers, and scholars worldwide.

From highly-regarded cutting horse trainers Robbie John and Cindy Parker, proteges of Tom Dorrance, she learned the classical art of starting horses for any discipline. Many horses were bred, born, and started at this top-notch facility. Simultaneously, Dr. Williams continued riding, learned the science of developing a breeding program while concurrently pursuing medical studies in Denver. She not only backed for the first time countless quarter horses, appaloosas, and Arabians, but learned from the Parkers (and the cows) the techniques of cutting cattle. 

Dr. Williams moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to study dressage with Charles de Kunffy and Richard Williams, during which time she continued horse-starting, and began a business rehabilitating thoroughbred horses from the racetrack for a future as sport horses. She showed superior progress in dressage, and, over the next five years of training, was named by Mr. de Kunffy “most improved rider” in California in this discipline.

Dr. Williams lunged five days a week on multiple horses for literally the next five years, without stirrups or reins, performing all the exercises in all the gaits which are to this day performed at the Spanish Riding School by young trainees. This method was recommended to her by Mr. Williams and Mr. de Kunffy. She took this advice literally, went to the Spanish Riding School to observe the training directly, and performed the same protocol as her mentors advised.

After studying pathology in San Francisco, she moved to Louisiana to study primary care medicine, and furthered her studies with Mr. de Kunffy and Mr. Williams, hosting and attending many of their clinics throughout the South. She also received sabbatical time for study with her two mentors in California, and for studies in Europe at the Reitinstitut Egon Von Neindorff, Karlsrhue, Germany; and at da escola Pedro Sao Luis in Montargil, near Lisbon, Portugal. She furthered her studies in the French method with Miguel Pineda in Viseu, Portugal.

After returning to California, Dr. Williams became assistant trainer to Mr. Williams, and after an exciting horse-filled collaboration (and courtship), they married. Together they have trained and shown horses for clients since 1998. Dr. Williams has traveled repeatedly and extensively to Austria to ride FEI horses at top barns, most notably in Budapest, for further training through the FEI levels with Gyulla Dallos, rider for the Hungarian team.

As a medical fitness and nutritional biochemistry expert, Dr. Williams brings an ever-growing base of biological knowledge to a preexisting art form which otherwise has progressed very little, if any, over the centuries. With devotion and dedication to the well-being of every horse, and to maximize the physical capabilities of every rider.

Dr. Williams continues to pursue her vision and skills as a top trainer, medical doctor, and rider of horses. She strives to develop an attitude of improvement moment-to-moment, both within herself and for her horses from training level to Grand Prix, focusing on symmetry, relaxation, clarity, and rhythmic integrity.