I have a pony in the barn, and boy, is she a good teacher. She has nice manners, is easy to make go and stop, and is never fresh. But, if you don’t remember to steer, she will work
A full-service hunter/jumper show barn in Northern Virginia
If You Don’t Ask, You Don’t Get
“Can I Get Rid of My Crop?”
“Can I Get Rid of My Crop?” I hear that question from my students sometimes. My response is generally if you hate carrying a crop, you probably need to carry one more often. It’s the same with the other things
Let Go and Let It Go
“Clay is shaped into a bowl, But it is the empty space that makes it useful. Cut out doors and windows make a room, But its empty space makes it useful. So, what is there is beneficial – But what
They’re Taking Your Money
Last week, I taught a new student. Let’s call her Joan. Joan is a Short-Stirrup rider. She can walk, trot and canter, and jump small jumps. She knows how to groom and mount. She knows to keep her heels down
Blue Ribbons For Everyone
“Before I went to the Olympics I rode all kinds of horses: big and small, cold and hot, ones that stopped, ran away, stood up on their hind legs. To be a great rider you really should be able to ride
Plant Your Feet
My six year old student rushed out the arena door with her determined pony, as I heard her mother call after her, “If you don’t want him to walk, plant your feet.” Her pony had jetted through the doorway, tugging
Your Own Worst Critic
“What you can’t accomplish in an hour should usually be put off until tomorrow.” ~Bill Steinkraus I have a student who continually criticizes herself. During each lesson, she regularly laments how bad her leg feels, or how how she can’t
Does Fear Own You?
I teach riders who are interested in advancing their riding and moving up. Some are adults returning to riding after a long break. Some are riders who have spent a long time in large lesson programs, and have realized they’d
The Horseman’s Answer
Today I received a text from a student’s mom: “We got a phone call from Washington International; X qualified for WIHS Pony Eq [To be held this coming Sunday]. I’m not sure what we should do.” On the one hand,
We Are All Teachers
“If you are fond of a horse and wish to do him a real favour – train him well. Teach him good manners, good habits, both in the stable and under the saddle. You need never worry about the future