March 22, 2002

Dear Riders, (and Parents),

                All of you are here for different reasons; some to learn about horses, some to make your horse listen to you better, and some to get prepared for showing.  Lessons will be different for different people.  I need to know from you how intense you want your lesson!!!  (You can choose more than 1 level or a mixture of each level, not just 1!)

                (1)  I need to know if you want to learn about horses and how to stay safe.  These lessons will teach grooming, saddling and bridling, correct body position and stretches, horse stretching and bending, safety, and exercises for both the horse and rider, patterns, etc.  You will be on the lunge line to move your arms and body, yet be able to relax because someone else will help with the “control”.  I will incorporate the use of cones to teach the rider how to guide the horse and how to remain in control, etc. And, most of all, you will have “fun”.

                (2)  I need to know if you want to make your horse listen to you better.  We will start off free lunging and moving and turning the horse, get the horse to bond with you, and teach the horse to give to the bit. You will learn basic body position and control, how to bend your horse and keep his head down, using legs and hands together, collection, 2-tracking, pivots and forehand turns, etc.  We will continue on the lunge line, but you will be able to tie off your reins to the horn and/or drop your stirrups.  We will work on simple patterns, being able to stop and turn your horse when you want to, etc. When you are ready, we can have “fun” in the trail course.

                (3)  I need to know from you if you are planning on showing.  As we are gearing up for show season, lessons will take on a different format. Are you prepared to work hard at getting ready for shows and willing to learn as much as possible within our allotted time?  I will be asking for COMMITMENT. I want riders at this level to give me 100%, but I also want riders to be prepared to tell me why they can’t give 100%, (maybe you are tired from studying, you’re hurt, you’re not feeling well, etc.)  I may only expect you to give 50% or 70% or whatever you can, as long as you are TRYING!!!  I want riders who can come and give me an unexpectant 120 or 150% some of the time,  and make me say, “WOW, that was a GREAT lesson, I am glad you are here, we can sure have “fun” now that you and your horse have learned so much”!  AND THAT TAKES HARD WORK - SLOW, COLLECTIVE, HEAD LEVEL, LOOSE REINS, CONSISTENCY, QUIET HANDS, MOVE YOUR HORSE OFF YOUR LEGS - SOUNDS IMPOSSIBLE BUT ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!   I want riders who want me to help them get to the winner’s circle.  Maturity is necessary - we all know that we are not going to do well or win everyday!

                Most of all, at whatever level you are at, I want you to “want” to come here and be prepared to learn.  I want people around me that will tell me their goals and expectations, to tell me when they don’t understand, to tell me to “slow down”, to tell me that things are getting tough and to go back a step.  I will be the first to say that you need to go elsewhere if I am not meeting your needs. I want friends around me, don’t you?

                Finally, I want to help you!!!  I will be encouraging, be patient, and always offer you my support and knowledge.  I will ask for good attitudes, honesty and respect.  And I will challenge you to reach your potential!

                Listen to your horse!  Feel what your horse is telling you!  Give your horse your respect. And most of all, be kind to your horse.  Your horse will love you!

                                                                                                                                                                                Brenda