George had more than 50 years experience in the world of horses as a trainer, instructor, competitor, and horse show judge. He was involved with a wide variety of disciplines. The earliest part of his career was spent in the Chicago area where he was born and raised. He rode hunter/jumpers, and enjoyed a great deal of success in the show ring. At that same point in his career he played polo and later became a polo instructor as well as playing semi-professional polo. During his mid-20s he focused on dressage and was coached for many years by one of Germany's Olympic Gold Medal Winners.

After moving to the Brainerd area nearly thirty years ago, he trained horses of all breeds for pleasure and show in dressage, jumping, driving, reining, trail riding, halter, English and Western Pleasure. He worked with most breeds including Paso Fino, Tennessee Walkers, Missouri Fox Trotters-and even mules! Many of his students, including his daughter Bethany, have gone on to professional careers in horses.

George passed away in October 2001, and will be missed by family and friends forever. His traditions live on, however, as his daughter, Bethany Bernatsky has taken over the Clare-B Training Center, otherwise known as "Satori Acres." We will continue striving to accomplish the goals that George set forth over the years, that all horsemen use their horses with tact and harmony, and that they put the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of their horses as a top priority.

In February 2002, George received the honor of being chosen "Horsemen of the Year" at the Mid-Minnesota Horse Fest. We send out a very special thank you to the friends who made this possible and contributed their personal dedications to a wonderful teacher and friend. The beautiful plaque that was presented in his honor will always be exhibited in the clubroom at the Clare-B.

 

 Satori Acres at Clare-B Training Center is proud to feature Bethany Bernatsky as operator/coach/trainer. She has more than 25 years experience with horses and detailing her career would not be possible-hence we will offer here only a summarized version of her resume.

The first 14 years of her life were spent taking instruction from her father, George Bernatsky. The following ten years were spent not only with her father as coach but with a variety of other master level coaches for various lengths of time. These included Wolfgang May and Mykola Pawlenko. Wolfang May trained initially in his native Germany and spent some years with the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. Mykola Pawlenko was a native of the Ukraine, and won an Olympic Gold Medal for Germany. She has also been coached by other well-known horsemen including Ulrich Schmitz, Dominique Barbier, Jan Ebeling, Charles DeKunfy, and Bill Woods.

Her show career has included some combined training earlier on but has been dominated by dressage. She has several regional championships at various levels, including Intermediare. She won three first places in the Regional Junior Young Rider Championships at age 18. Bethany also spent 4 years performing with and training for the Royal Lipizzaner Stallions, touring the United States and abroad. She performed many Grand Prix solos, pas de deux, quadrille, and airs above the ground.




Bethany's expertise with horses is extraordinary. She connects with horses on mental/physical/spiritual levels and will not contract for any "rush" jobs. She credits much of her knowledge not only to her coaches but to the variety of horses that have taught her through the years. She has worked with many breeds including Andalusians, Lipizzaners, Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods, Quarter Horses, Arabians, Friesians, and an assortment of crossbred and grade horses. She will be teaching and training at her new facility, Satori Acres at Clare-B Training Center, and will take horses on consignment for sale only as time and space allow. Your inquiries are cordially invited.