About
We ride for the love of the horse. The students who are ready participate in a few shows a year.
Our beautiful farm is at Knasket Depot. We have a private trail that often includes seeing the train up close and personal on horseback.
Natural aids, balance, rhythm, jumping and trail rides are the focus.
All of the students and horses learn about the fundamentals of classical dressage and how proper technique is universal no matter which discipline is being practiced.
Advanced students have showing opportunities, learn bridleless riding techniques, western techniques and body language.
All students get an opportunity to ride western, bareback, English(both dressage and jumping), and we sometimes train with a 1918 McClellan calvery saddle.
This is a 1902 calvery manual.
https://archive.org/stream/breakingriding00fill#page/46/mode/1up
Students learn to become horse trainers. We start with ground work and advance onto jumping fundamentals, dressage, going on trail. Groundwork and learning to train are the foundation of the curriculum.
Developing happy horses and educated equestrians.
We host weddings and provide wedding horses for the Seattle area also.
Highlights
Payment methods
Specialties
Riding styles interested in
Have a horse
Student's interests and goals
Experience level
How often
Student's age
Photos and videos
Reviews
jennifer T.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
New students do best with private lessons to start.
The first lesson(s) is/are an introduction to the horse, grooming, saddling, handling then riding. Once the student has learned how to safely halter, groom and tack their own horse safely the lessons begin in the arena.
This is a working barn. Maintaining the horses is part of the program. Students coming 2x or more a week get allotted more time and learn how to feed, clean up/muck and are assigned "their" own horse.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
20+ years of experience teaching riding, training.
I started out training rescue horses and problem horses who were thrown away because of behavioral problems. I moved on to wild horses who found themselves on the way to slaughter. I rescue, rehabilitate, retrain and rehome many of the horses who come to my barn.
My permanent herd is a mixture of formally wild animals, rescues and well bred pedigree animals. Discipline and structure are fundamental core principles in my barn.
I don't teach a specific discipline, I teach HOW to ride. As students advance their goals such as jumping are incorporated into the ride. My goal is to create a well rounded rider who can ride any horse in any discipline and succeed.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$275 monthly for private weekly 90 min sessions
$400 partial lease w/private lessons. 2 days of unlimited barn time per week.
$150 bi weekly coaching. When time commitment and cost is a factor.
$600 3x a week.
How did you get started teaching?
Started teaching in 1998 to help pay for my first horses upkeep.
I started teaching full time in 2009 after my father passed away. I am former military and had worked as an executive in the finance industry however teaching, training and horses in general are my passion.
What types of students have you worked with?
All types.
Kids, adults, seniors, disabled, beginners, experts, men, women, children, grandparents, all races, all genders and everyone in between.
If you're interested in horses and ready to learn and work hard you're welcome.
People who are only interested in competition and complainers need not apply.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Yesterday a new student had her second session with me. Her mount was a 6 year old formally wild Chestnut mare Ember. ( this mare has been under saddle for 2 years)
After we were through she shared several photos of her and her first and second horse jumping and showing. What she told me was the fundamentals I had introduced to her we so clear easy and effective and she was amazed that no one had explained or showed her anything like it before. She was very excited and used the term "push button " when describing how nicely my horse responded to the cues and was amazed that such a willing animal had been wild.
Dressage literally translates to training.
All of her dressage lessons previously were boring and hard. I focus on building the foundation and working with our horses from behind forward into the hand. SO MANY riders and trainers start with the bit first and THAT is the biggest problem in the horse industry.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
My initial lesson is always cash only. For me personality is very important. If I don't like someone I don't want to teach them. The same goes for the student... if you don't like me I can not teach you anything.
Find a barn that feels comfortable for you. Not every barn is perfect for every student.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
I think everything should be upfront and transparent. If your goal is to compete at a high level the fastest way to accomplish that is to hire someone who is currently competing at that level.
The goal of my barn above all else is keeping the horses happy and healthy. What I teach my students is essential to be competitive in the ring but we ride for the love of the horse. All of the classical fundamentals teach the horse and rider to be harmonious with enthusiasm, athleticism and balance. My animals look forward to working with us because of how we interact with them. We work on ourselves to make the horses job clear and easy for them.