Teaching

My Philosophy

Rider fitness is just as important as horse fitness. I believe that in order to have a safe and harmonious partnership, both the human and horse need to be limber, and physically able to work together at the level they wish to achieve. It is easy to blame the horse for a rider not being up to the task and this can create unsafe situations.

I spend time to help riders understand the bio-mechanics of how horses move and how the riders' body needs to move to facilitate that. I find this helps my students better understand why my teaching methods are effective.

Recognizing that one program does not fit all, I create a rider and horse fitness program per client, based on established fundamentals and rider goals, which is discussed and agreed upon.

Teaching Expectations

I expect you to try your best, and to listen. I recognize riding is not an easy sport, and that sometimes lessons can be very hard and/or difficult when learning new techniques. I am an extremely patient coach, and I will take my time to explain things and to make sure their needs are addressed.

My methods may not be the fastest, but I do not push riders or horses past their comfort zone. Horses and riders can have 'bad days'.

I do my best to make sure riders reach their goals in a safe way, and sometimes that might mean telling a student they are not ready to move up a level, or that the horse they are riding is not suited or needs additional training.

On a personal level, I deeply understand rider fears/concerns and I draw from that experience to make my students feel safe and comfortable with me.