Our Services
A Small Experience can lead to Something Great
Lessons
At Great Heights, we do not have lesson horses- but our privately owned, extensively trained horses are offered up to riders to learn the ins and out of being an equestrian. After an initial consult to determine your abilities, goals, and personality, we will match you up with a suitable partner. Read about our boys to learn the wide range of skill level we can accommodate.
Horse riding lessons provide 1-1 opportunity to grow your skills in a unique environment. Without the hubbub and additional 'eyes' that are normally part of the traditional barn experience, here at Great Heights you shall feel as though you were stepping onto your own steed in your backyard, helping you relax and learn better, quicker, and more effectively! A relaxed rider is a confident and correct rider!
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We ride at the stable, on natural footing, in simple rings, and also go out on the trails either from the property or we can meet you at a destination for an adventure ride. For jumpers- we can school at various locations for jumping experience, both cross country and schooling rings, when we are not working on jumping here at the stable.
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Give us a call or email and see if we can help you grow as an equestrian- whether you are starting out, returning to riding, or have been riding for ages and are looking for something a bit different.
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Groundwork
Working Equitation Lessons
Flatwork Lessons
Riding lessons do not follow a traditional model. We ride on various terrain, which challenges the rider and horses' balance and awareness of their environment.
We focus on just a few things at a time, mastering a movement or concept before moving on, and always spiraling back frequently to check on old skills.
We focus on centered riding, balancing our bodies in the best manner to enable the horses to athletically move underneath us.
This is where everyone starts:
Working with the horse using the animal's body language to communicate with them, groundwork is, among other things, an amazing way to establish partnership, understanding, and confidence.
Working Equitation is a relatively new sport here in America and it pulls at all of my heartstrings.
There are 4 phases:
1. dressage
2. obstacles (called Ease of Handling)
3. speed
4. cattle
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To train and compete in this sport, your horses has to be mentally and physically balanced. They need correct topline development, proper muscling, and a great connection with their rider. The rider needs patience, clarity of cues, and consistency in asks to achieve passing scores in all four areas. The best part- the obstacles and cattle give the horses a concrete reason to collect, move, and express themselves, which just plain old dressage does not provide.