WE ARE NOT a program with kick ride horses, large group lessons, multiple instructors, an emphasis on showing, and a stuffy, cold environment.

WE DO:

1. Have well-trained horses. All horses are schooled by owner/trainer Teresa Pilegaard and are personal horses developed by Teresa and her family with really cool backgrounds (shown at the Retired Racehorse Project, schooled in working equitation, dressage and hunter show experience, ridden Western and English). Our horses have a limited lesson schedule to keep them thriving in our lesson environment. They are true co-teachers alongside Teresa.

2. Believe in a horse-first lesson system. Our horses are not machines, but valued partners. All students learn to observe equine communication and how to respond appropriately with empathy and leadership. The needs of the horse come first, not ribbons.

3. Believe that time in the saddle is a small piece of the puzzle. Teresa's emphasis on both horse and human biomechanics leads to....homework. If we spend even 1 hour of each day with a horse, there are 23 more that hold more influence on us as balanced people. Teresa assists in building physical and mental strength and balance outside of simply riding.

4. Adapt to both horse and rider. While we are always grounded in classical principles, we fully believe in the modern science of both human and equine learning. These are not cookie cutter lessons, but tailored to both you and the horse.

5. Encourage curiosity in horses and humans! We highly encourage questions and self-discovery from our students and provide guiding questions and direction to improve. We want a "thinking rider"! Horses are not trained to "shut down and endure" the lesson, but to come out of their shell to allow their own thinking brain thrive.

6. Believe that people of all ages are incredibly capable! Why learn how to kick and pull a horse around when you could have a soft, fluid relationship with the horse? Through our riding journey, how many of us had to completely relearn the application of aids and use of the seat? Why not start with a correct, solid foundation? We don't gate keep good riding!

7. Believe that horses deserve to be horses. Our horses live out 24/7 in large fields in well-managed herds. Each horse has an individual, forage-based dietary plan formulated by a nutritionist. They also receive the highest quality bodywork, farrier care, and conditioning plans.