Studying equitation at blue River Farm
LESSONS:
for children we offer an introduction to horses
and For Adults, scroll for more information below.
Intensives:
Get yourself a riding upgrade: The intensive is a personal riding retreat
Clinics:
in depth two to four day events offered at Blue river or at your own barn
horsemanship & work in hand
handling horses from the ground effectively and safely, and horse care.
Riding lessons
Riding lessons at Blue River Farm are given once a week or more on our school horses, or on your own horse for haul-ins or boarders.
Adult’s Lessons: see below
(for kid’s lessons: please follow this link.)
The teaching staff works effectively with adults from first time riders through professional level.
Weekly Lessons
Weekly lessons are offered in monthly blocks on our school horses. The student may take one or more lessons weekly. We offer either 30 minute or 45 minute lesson times.
All riders, no matter your background, begin with serious seat work on the longe line. We will work using old cavalry exercises to develop real balance. Over the course of these initial lessons riders are safely guided through exercises that help you to walk, trot, and canter in more and more perfect balance without using the reins or stirrups. This takes away subtle bracing habits that we generally don’t even know we’ve got— and replaces them with real balance, which is a truly marvelous thing.
Then, before the rider is on their own in the arena, we will use work in hand and mounted techniques to teach you the rein aids and the basics of the seat and leg, so that your beautiful balance allows you to link with the horse, and from that link you will find a clear understanding of classical aids in directing the horse.
For Beginners: This form of riding takes time. We do not turn any rider loose on a horse until she or he is able to balance at all gaits, is mentally balanced so he or she makes good decisions, and can easily and gently control the horse without assistance. This may mean that you remain on a longe line for an extended time, but it also means that you’re getting a real riding education and truly learning to control your horse: it’s safer for everyone involved. And it results in a much more pleasant conversation throughout, for both the rider and the horse! When you are on your own, you’ll have the skill set needed so that both you AND the horse appreciate the work you put in.
People often tell us they have been told that “you can’t show him you’re afraid”. But what this kind of approach creates is a horse who recognizes that you’re afraid and at the same time, for no apparent reason, you’re lying about it. Instead of encouraging you to fake feeling bravery we find the place you feel safe and slowly widen the authentic feeling of safety through genuine balance, understanding and control. Fear is a good ally to help you identify what you need to address, and we have the tools to help you safely address it.
For Experienced Adult riders: Because the initial work “dismantles” old habits, it will take some reorienting to get you started. If possible we strongly recommend that the adult rider starts with an intensive to get through the seat work most efficiently. In weekly lessons generally it will take from three to four months to establish a good seat for an adult. We do not mind teaching it this way if it is what works for your schedule or budget! The intensive is simply more efficient, but also initially more expensive.
One time lessons
Uncertain if you’re ready to commit to a full month? No problem.
Riders can begin with an introduction to the work in a single lesson. Riding, work in hand, longe work, or Mediterranean work: anything you’re curious about can be addressed with an introductory experience.
School horses are provided, or you can haul in.
Design your own in depth personal riding retreat
INTensives
Intensives are just as they sound: intense! You’ll ride a minimum of twice a day and remain on site throughout the day to observe others riding and to watch training sessions. It’s your own private clinic. The first riding intensive, in which we address the seatwork, requires a minimum of five days. Once the seat is established the riding can progress.
The longer you can stay and the more time you spend soaking in the ideas, trying them independently, and watching others practice, the more effective the learning will be. Intensives can be designed to answer your specific questions and concerns.
Theory, seatwork, classical aids and practice: it’s all part of the intensive.
The Basic Intensive
At minimum to establish the seat we recommend the rider comes for 5 days, observing throughout the day, and riding twice daily to address the seat and balance and to sketch in the aids. For local riders you can choose to stretch the days over two weekends, but it’s most effective if you can do the time in one block.
The Immersion Intensive
For a student with the time and financial resources who wants to go home with as much useful information and practice as possible, we recommend a minimum two week stay.
The first 5 days you’ll stay on site throughout the day observing training and other rider's lessons, while you do a mounted lesson twice a day, and an In-Hand or theory lesson for the third session. The second 5 days you’ll design with us to fit your interests, working with the teachers that most suit your learning style.
Subsequent intensives
Once your seatwork is established with that first intensive you can come back as often as you would like to, and have more latitude to design your time here. Anything from another long stay to a single day “drop by” visit will move your riding further along, and we’d love to have you back.
scholarships or work study opportunities
Work study opportunities (and limited Foundation for the Equestrian Arts Scholarships) are often available, as well as professional discounts for teachers and trainers. Mary Anne learned much of her riding through the generosity of teachers who permitted the traditional work study format, and we are committed to return the favor.
Working with horses includes much more than riding.
ground work, work in hand & horsemanship
Being able to work the horse effectively and safely and joyfully from the ground is a critical skill and one that can be a lot of fun on its own. We teach classical work in hand, longe work, and the beautiful connecting base of the classical approach called ‘Mediterranean Horsemanship’, as well as the basics in equine body work. You don’t have to be ready to ride to be ready to enjoy a lovely day with a horse on a regular basis!
There are methods of working the horse from the ground that support a life-long relationship with a healthy, focused, balanced horse. And as Winston Churchill once said, though we’ve just slightly paraphrased it: “The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a person.”
We also work with our riders to learn the nuts and bolts of what it is to care for a horse. From online courses on conformation, breeds, colors, history, and more… to seminars on specific trainers from antiquity or basic bodywork, to on-line or at your facility seminars on buying, housing and feeding a horse, we love these animals and we love the people who work with them. Got a curiosity about some aspect of horsemanship we haven’t mentioned? Just ask. We are delighted to teach all things equine.
Come play with us!
In the us and abroad
Classical equitation clinics here at blue river,
or at your own barn.
Clinics can be arranged with Mary Anne Campbell , introducing French Classical ideas to your barn at home. Clinics at Blue River itself are offered throughout the year, contact us to learn more.