Now in his eighth consecutive year instructing at StarWest, Gerhard Politz spent the early years of his professional riding career heading a riding club at Heilbron, Germany. There he produced more Gold Medal Riders than any other trainer in Germany at the time. (The German Gold Medal goes to the person who has won 10 Grand Prix competitions.) Now the dressage instructor for Flintridge Riding Club, near Pasadena, he is also a frequent contributer to the American Dressage press.

Gerhard Politz holds professional certifications from two European countries. In his native Germany he took the Reitlehrer FN exams. While living in England, he successfully completed the British Horse Society Instructor's exams. Residing in the US since 1987, Politz was invited to become an examiner for USDF (United States Dressage Federation) Instructor certification program and to join the faculty of USDF University. His numerous appointments within USDF include being a member of the test writing committe and authoring the USDF lungeing manual. He has taught at the National Symposium and in 1993 he became a member of the International Dressage Trainer's Club.