Leah Sparrow
About
I have been riding, doing competitions, and training horses for 48 years. I've ridden dressage, western, hunter, and jumper. My experience covers working with all ages in all disciplines focusing on safety first. My main breeeds include quarterhorses, thoroughbreds, Arabians, Appies, and warmbloods. I own an Arabian and an Arabian/Oldenburg cross. Both are reliable mounts but are not available as lesson horses. I also have experience with gaited horses but will not cater to some of the methods of the gaited disciplines. I do not believe artificial devices to create a balanced horse. I do teach how to create a balanced ride. I cover on the ground horsemanship as well as riding. My philosophy is a horse only behaves as well as its handler. A horseman must always acknowledge they are the ones responsible for all outcomes. The horse is the partner following their owner's command. I have ridden in several shows successfully. I have raised my current horse since birth and trained her and her dam. I have ridden over 200 horses and coached many riders. I am not show focused. I would rather have a thinking horseman with a steady level headed horse than a flashy show pony duo that has limits. I believe in a true horseman. You will learn how to handle all things horse independently and with confidence.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
All students are assessed by their behavior and ability to take instruction. Beginners will be eased into the processed by first learning safety around horses. If a student is more advanced, tacked up, warned up, and ready to ride, I will study their riding ability and ask them to perform basic maneuvers. From that assessment we will move forward with the goals the student has. This assessment can be done with beginners. However, beginners are bot required to be tacked up and ready unless already having that ability.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have trained under Olympic instructors, an instructor who schooled at the Spanish School of riding, worked on a working horse ranch, trained and tended to young and mature horses in various disciplines, ridden in collegiate shows ranking third in the south, and have trained my own horses (total of 8) successfully.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Private lessons $50 Group lessons $35
How did you get started teaching?
I got started just by being a part of the horse community. I have either been hired to ride and train someone's horse or hired to coach riders of different ages. I started coaching riders in my mid twenties. I've been riding and training horses since age three. Officially training horses since age 14.