INSTRUCTOR: Sarah Clarke has been riding since the age of 7, competing over the years in everything from hunters, English pleasure, 3 day event, show jumping and dressage, even once winning a bareback equitation class. She has won year end awards at the state and county levels. She has taught her own 3 children to ride, trained
horses from birth through 4th level dressage and also has experience with adult beginners. She also has lots of experience working with children from being a mom, a Cub Scout den leader, a school volunteer and a Sunday school teacher. Contact Sarah (619-669-1577) if you are interested in riding lessons.
Sarah offers riding instruction on safe and sane Norwegian Fjord Horses. For little people (of any age who weigh under 100 pounds) Chili Pepper a Welsh pony, is also available for lessons. Advanced riders may have the opportunity to ride an upper level show horse. Riders of all ages and experience are welcome. Riding instruction is done in English saddles, either all purpose or dressage, depending on which style fits the rider better and what the rider's goals are. Instruction is based on classical dressage principles and is focused on a practical control of the horse and understanding of how the horse/rider relationship functions. Although body posture of the rider will be addressed (since form follows function) the goal is to develop a thinking, functional rider, not just a pretty looking rider.
Each horse in our lesson program was trained, and is still being trained, by me. I understand exactly what the horse can do and what the rider needs to do to perform a given exercise. Private Instruction: I will focus on you and your riding. We will work together to meet your riding goals. If showing is a goal of yours, we can work toward it, but I believe showing is a way to validate/demonstrate what you have learned, not an end in itself. Several of my students have entered dressage schooling shows. They found that showing confirmed their riding progress and boosted their confidence. If you don’t want to show, maybe you want to trail ride, ride in a quadrille, or even in a parade. We will find the best way to find your path. No going round and round in the ring. The horses have been trained by a series of exercises designed to gradually improve their balance, responsiveness, flexibility and athleticism. The rider will be trained in these same exercises and will learn not only to sit on a horse, but how to develop a horse. When riders have demonstrated to my satisfaction that they are in sufficient control of their mount, then trail riding in the open hills surrounding our property is an option. Advanced riders may also be given the opportunity to occasionally ride on their own to practice their skills. Any student who has an interest can also learn many horse and barn management skills on a "hang around and learn by helping out" plan. Here Monica is shown learning how to do a trace clip.
I understand the economic times are hard. I try to keep riding an affordable option for my students. Compare the following price list to large local stables in Bonita and Spring Valley:
Lesson: Individual Private Lessons are $45 each. A prepaid package of 5 lessons is $150.00
Shows: I will charge you as one lesson for trailering to and coaching at local shows. You will pay the entry fees and any ribbons you win are yours to keep.
Trail rides: Charged as one lesson.
Partial Lease Option: For students who are taking regular lessons, a 2 day a week partial lease option may be possible subject to horse availability. You must be able to ride on weekdays before 4pm. This option is $100 month.
Bonus Group lesson: For students who are taking regular private instruction and meet the instructor’s approval – a Sunday afternoon group lesson will begin in the fall. (You must be advanced enough to catch, groom, tack, and untack with minimal supervision.) The cost of the group lesson is $20. I’d like the group lesson to work toward forming a quadrille.
A signed insurance waiver is required before you handle a horse, or ride a horse.
All riders will wear an ASTM/SAE approved safety helmet, and shoes or boot with heels at all times while mounted. To make this rule easy to live with, I have lots of helmets and a few loaner boots.
You will respect your instructor, respect the horses, respect my stuff, and respect each other at all times.
You will respect yourself – No negative self talk is allowed on the premises.