"I aim to develop a happy partnership of horse & rider, bringing you to your full potential, whether you compete or just ride for pleasure. Always, keeping in mind that every lesson should be safe, educational and enjoyable for both the horse & the rider".
I have developed a system of teaching, that enables the rider to continue improving between lessons, in both their own riding, and in the training of the horse. My teaching system has 'evolved' over time, as I have discovered 'modern methods' and incorporated them with more traditional European methods.
I enjoy working with all types of riders, from the 'grass roots level' on up; adults & children; riders from both the english & western world; and competitve & pleasure riders. I also teach lower level jumping, (working on the horse and rider) and give mounted lunge lessons.
My system uses a dressage & biomechanics approach, but also covers several additional areas of learning:
1. 'Natural Horsemanship'
Originating in the western world, the ground work and round pen methods, have huge value in enabling you to 'read and understand' your horse. It will teach you to communicate in horse language, and enable you to gain trust, respect and leadership. (Those of you who question these methods should read 'Skyliners' page').
2. Training the horse
This also means teaching the rider 'how to become the trainer'.
a. Understanding the idea of 'asking with positive pressure and rewarding with immediate release'. Asking the right question, in the right way, (effective aids) and immediately rewarding the answer (correct reaction in the horse).
b. Putting basic rideability into the horse, by first establishing good ground work/lungeing and then by installing undersaddle 'safe guards'.
c. By explaining how to correctly use dressage exercises, and thus gymnastisize and develop their own horse.
d. Develop the riders body awareness, feel and timing, in order to positively influence their horse. Learn to understand 'the cause and effect of riding'.
e. Encourage a 'cross training' approach to keep a horse happy in mind and body.
3. Improving the rider
This is teaching the rider to understand the biomechanics of riding. Showing the student that 'the horse is a mirror image of the rider'.
This enables the rider to improve their position, and therefore, advance their horse.
a. Learning to feel, and understand 'how and why' their body actually works and how that effects the horse, in both negative and positive ways (body awareness leading to cause and effect). Then learning how to apply this new knowledge to improve the horse.
b. How to turn feelings into words and images, and then back into feelings, so the rider can reproduce the corrections needed in their own body, when riding alone.
c. Understand the different ways in which people learn. Develop ways to give feedback during the lesson, to have a 'help me to help you' experience.
d.Help set realistic, attainable goals in their riding and with their horse.
4. Good Horsemanship
Help the horse owner/rider to understand the importance of treating the horse as an individual and as an athlete, by considering all aspects of horsecare, including feeding, shoeing, muscle/bodywork, overall health care, and saddle fitting (both for horse and rider).
5. Putting it all together to see the whole picture
Understanding how to take the individual 'pieces of the puzzle', fine tune them and put them together to make a balanced picture.
Lesson Structure
I recommend private lessons, which usually last an hour, but "train the horse not the clock” (Major Anders Lindgren). Half hour private, hour semi-private or groups of riders can work well in certain situations.
I schedule lessons to fit your situation and budget. Lessons are given on your own horse and premises. I teach 7 days a week and try to be as flexible as possible.
Fees
Private $65.00 (trailering in, or within 15 minute drive of Myersville, MD)
Private $75.00 (driving out up to an hours time, for one student)
Private $70.00 (for 2 or more students at the same barn)
Additional travel fee for a wider area
Clinics
In addition to the riding sessions in a clinic, I can give a lecture, discussion and/or dismounted exercises to get everyone “on the same page”. Riding sessions can be private, semi private or groups of riders.
Auditors are encouraged to participate in all dismounted activities.
Everyone should bring their own chair, yoga mat (or something similar) and note book and pen.
Contact me to arrange a clinic of your own. Pricing will vary depending upon individual set up.
Horses in Training
Occasionally I can take a horse for training, depending upon my schedule.