Riding Lessons

Horses on site available for use! Haul-ins also welcome!

Stephen Hayes has a two step training philosophy:

Step 1 - Physiotherapist - Every time we ride our horses we must learn to know every single weak spot, as well as realise their hidden strengths, as most of the time their strengths and weakness aren't so obvious, and can make big holes in their training if not dealt with promptly. I teach my riders to ride their horse in ways that prioritise their suppleness, fluidity and elasticity through out their WHOLE body, having your horse feel good while working is crucial for developing any horse of any sport. We must guide them into strengthening all the correct pushing and weight carrying muscles so that they feel physically capable of doing what we ask them to do, but at the same keeping those muscles relaxed, that is what keeps a horse willing to work.

'Unfortunately every book I've read about dressage and teaching/riding dressage movements, doesn't in any way live up to how much I've learned in real life riding with the Olympic riders and judges, you just can't find it in books, and it's so satisfying for me to share that knowledge with the riders at my clinics and at my barn while training'

Step 2 - Educator - When the horse is working really truly through out their whole body, they become stronger quicker, you can teach them things beyond what you thought they where capable of! Unfortunately every book I've read about dressage and teaching/riding dressage movements, doesn't in any way live up to how much I've learned in real life riding with the Olympic riders and judges, you just can't find it in books, and it's so satisfying for me to share that knowledge with the riders at my clinics and at my barn while training. During my training sessions you'll also learn ways of being a lot more effective in your position and strengthen yourself physically as a rider.

This philosophy of training works in so many aspects

- Wanting to move up through the levels of dressage, speeds up the learning process of the horse as their body is feeling more able to do what we are asking of them.

- Many showjumers also train with Stephen in order to have thier horses back become much more supple to maneuver their body better over a fence and around a course, it also improves massively ride-ability and control.

- Improving your horses natural way of going, its a amazing how much a horse working correctly can enhance its natural gait and its natural gait with in a movement

- Stephen Hayes is known for having such a pleasent way with horses on the ground and in the saddle, being effective is a crucial part of training but having the right mentality is even more important, horses just like people have different ways of learning, and its vital the correct pathway is picked to build a confident and happy athlete.

- Stephen Hayes is known for having a great eye for spotting exactly what each rider is feeling, that is what has created this buzz at his clinics, hes very quick to pick which route to take in order to quickly get a better feeling and picture.
- Even if your a pleasure rider and would just like to develop a more secure and safe position, Stephen doesn't judge riders, he's known for being positive and honest, but most of all effective.

Horses on site available for use! Haul-ins also welcome! $75 per person

Claudia Romeo is owner and trainer of Valkyrie Eventing - where the philosophy is "horse centered riding." When it comes to horse training there are about a million ways to go about getting things done. Some better than others, many successful in the end. Recently the biggest point of contention I see with people and their horses is that they approach training with human rationale and motivation. 

For example if I want to improve  a particular yoga position I’m going to practice it over and over because practice makes perfect right? But my motivation is to get better, the horse has no concept of “get better”. Their motivation is to head back inside and have a nice snack. 

The reward for me practicing my yoga over and over is better body awareness, more strength, and overall improvement. The effect of training something over and over with a horse might outwardly have the same changes but the horse  has earned no inherent reward because they do not understand “better”. Instead I always try and frame my training rides with their motivation in mind. When they’ve achieved success, they find softness- whether that means their day is done or they’ve earned a break or some other reward that leans into their motivation, not ours. 

What we think of as “practice makes perfect” the horse usually feels “I’ve been asked the same question a million times and given my best answer so now I am frustrated”.

In this clinic Claudia will instruct students through intense flatwork and grid work, with the motivation of the horse being considered as much as the rider.

Horses on site available for use! Haul-ins also welcome! $125 per person

Owner/trainer of Cellar Door Farm, Kelly Jennings, believes horses are usually willing to do what is asked of them if it’s made clear what is wanted and it is possible for them to do so. In her lessons and schooling rides, Kelly observes the horse and rider’s subtle cues and communications and works to translate both sides to help each better understand the other. Cultivating this common language in the saddle helps to create a symbiotic, respectful relationship leading to a true team effort in which both sides feel seen, heard, and inspired to give their best.