Delaware Valley Combined Training Association

Bios of Clinicians and Lecturers

Bob Orton: In the early 1980s Bob spent 20 months living, studying, and training his eye in Germany. At that time he also became one of the largest importers of warmbloods to the US, bringing over more than 200 horses in the years 1984-85. Between Germany and the US, Bob has trained and presented more than 50 young stallions for approval. As a rider and a teacher Bob states: "It has been my goal to teach horses and riders to stretch properly and to develop muscles correctly to improve the gaits from Training Level through Grand Prix." Over the past two decades since turning professional, and later with the assistance of partner Sherra Kosch, Bob has started, trained or shown more than 300 horses–at least 75 of which were stallions–from Training through the FEI Levels.

Gabriel Armando:

He is originally from Argentina where he started riding at the age of 8. At 15, after competing successfully in jumping, turned to dressage and was GP national Champion at the age of 20. By then he was an active international competitor in Chile, Uruguay and Brazil obtaining the silver medal in 1998 in the south American Championship in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Gabriel competed also in the 2003 Pan American Games in Dominican Republic with his horse Euclid.

Gabriel has received instruction of many renowned trainers in this country and finds time to ride with Hans Rueben in Germany every year since 1985. Actually he trains with his wife Suzy Ross. They are based in Ringoes NJ, and in White Fences Fla during the winter. They do periodical trips to Europe to train and buy horses. They both share the passion of training horses and they have students (including professional riders) to GP level . They are both good clinicians and they help their students to break through their difficulties.

Gabriel is also an FEI “C” judge. He has judged in different countries of the world like Argentina Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, USA, Canada, and Germany. Recently he has been part of the ground jury in the NAYRC, the Central American Games, the South American Games, the Central American and Caribbean Games, and several CDIs.