Snowdon Farm Riding Lessons
At Snowdon Farm Riding School, we're not normal. We're a little strange even! If you want to sit on a sleepy horse and plod around the school, this probably isn't the place for you. You see, we're passionate about teaching you to ride, which means that we do things a little differently...
Complete beginners start in small group lessons where we teach the basic skills - your riding position; rein contact; steering with your body and seat; rising and sitting trot; canter; and jumping position. Most people then go onto one of our group lessons. Each lesson starts with a period of free-schooling, where people ride as an individual, making their own decisions about what to do and where to go while warming-up the horse. Riders are taught to analyse and improve their horse - for example, adding lots of transitions between walk and trot if the horse isn't listening to your aids; or putting in circles if the horse is stiff in the neck.
Each week, we have a different lesson that we teach in all of our group classes. We have over 100 well-thought-out lessons that are carefully designed to improve an aspect of your riding. Our lessons highlight the importance of correct technique - your horse won't follow your instructions without it! Over the course of the lesson, we work with you to improve your technique and you will be able see your riding improve. For nearly all of our lessons, you ride as an individual. Instead of your horse following the one in front, it will only be listening to your instructions. We think this is critical in getting you thinking about your riding, and being in control of your horse.
Our group lessons are mixed-ability. As a less-experienced rider, you benefit from watching more advanced riders - you can learn from other people's riding, and it also raises your expectations of what the horses are capable of. More advanced riders are still challenged - they get to ride our more difficult horses, and our instructors get more demanding! Advanced riders also learn from being able to watch others ride.
What sets horse riding apart from other sports is that each horse is as individual as the rider. Both riders and horses have some things they are good at, and some things that they find difficult. That's why it's so important to ride a range of different horses - some horses will cover-up your riding problems, whereas others will expose them! You have to learn how to analyse your horse and to work on schooling the horse to overcome their particular weaknesses.
You will have a different horse each lesson. We have some horses that safe and steady (still with hidden potential for advanced riders), and others that are capable of more advanced flat-work and jumping. Some of our horses can be a bit sleepy and can need waking-up. Some are excitable and need holding back. One goes like a rocket when you put in front of a jump (yes Zara, I'm looking at you)! For each lesson, we'll find the right horse for you - one that you'll be safe on, but one that will also challenge you. Some of our customers even ride a second time in the week, to try a different horse on the same lesson. Our horses are well loved and cared-for, and a long way from being your average riding school plodders!
There is always more to learn about riding, but you need good instruction to get the most out of it. Our instructors are enthusiastic and make the lessons fun, but also push you to achieve your potential. Even in group lessons, you will still get the individual attention that you need. Cath Meehan (BHSII) is the owner of Snowdon Farm and has over 35 years teaching experience. Emily McManus (BHSAPC) is the yard manager and has over 20 years teaching experience. Snowdon is an approved BHS school.
So there you have it. Snowdon Farm Riding School is where you really learn how to ride!
Snowdon Farm Riding School: Learn to Ride!
Complete beginners start in small group lessons where we teach the basic skills - your riding position; rein contact; steering with your body and seat; rising and sitting trot; canter; and jumping position. Most people then go onto one of our group lessons. Each lesson starts with a period of free-schooling, where people ride as an individual, making their own decisions about what to do and where to go while warming-up the horse. Riders are taught to analyse and improve their horse - for example, adding lots of transitions between walk and trot if the horse isn't listening to your aids; or putting in circles if the horse is stiff in the neck.
Each week, we have a different lesson that we teach in all of our group classes. We have over 100 well-thought-out lessons that are carefully designed to improve an aspect of your riding. Our lessons highlight the importance of correct technique - your horse won't follow your instructions without it! Over the course of the lesson, we work with you to improve your technique and you will be able see your riding improve. For nearly all of our lessons, you ride as an individual. Instead of your horse following the one in front, it will only be listening to your instructions. We think this is critical in getting you thinking about your riding, and being in control of your horse.
Our group lessons are mixed-ability. As a less-experienced rider, you benefit from watching more advanced riders - you can learn from other people's riding, and it also raises your expectations of what the horses are capable of. More advanced riders are still challenged - they get to ride our more difficult horses, and our instructors get more demanding! Advanced riders also learn from being able to watch others ride.
What sets horse riding apart from other sports is that each horse is as individual as the rider. Both riders and horses have some things they are good at, and some things that they find difficult. That's why it's so important to ride a range of different horses - some horses will cover-up your riding problems, whereas others will expose them! You have to learn how to analyse your horse and to work on schooling the horse to overcome their particular weaknesses.
You will have a different horse each lesson. We have some horses that safe and steady (still with hidden potential for advanced riders), and others that are capable of more advanced flat-work and jumping. Some of our horses can be a bit sleepy and can need waking-up. Some are excitable and need holding back. One goes like a rocket when you put in front of a jump (yes Zara, I'm looking at you)! For each lesson, we'll find the right horse for you - one that you'll be safe on, but one that will also challenge you. Some of our customers even ride a second time in the week, to try a different horse on the same lesson. Our horses are well loved and cared-for, and a long way from being your average riding school plodders!
There is always more to learn about riding, but you need good instruction to get the most out of it. Our instructors are enthusiastic and make the lessons fun, but also push you to achieve your potential. Even in group lessons, you will still get the individual attention that you need. Cath Meehan (BHSII) is the owner of Snowdon Farm and has over 35 years teaching experience. Emily McManus (BHSAPC) is the yard manager and has over 20 years teaching experience. Snowdon is an approved BHS school.
So there you have it. Snowdon Farm Riding School is where you really learn how to ride!
Snowdon Farm Riding School: Learn to Ride!
