Are you tired of struggling to make progress with your riding?

Balance

Both horse and rider need to be balanced, whether you are in the dressage arena or going down the trail.

Good balance starts with correct rider position. While at a halt, I realign the rider into a classical position. I have the rider sit centered in the saddle with their legs under them, as opposed to out ahead of the body. This helps to catch the rider up with the momentum of the horse.

Effectiveness

The rider must learn to activate the core muscle groups.

While most instructors are telling riders to relax, I want riders to engage their core. The amount of tone will depend on what's being asked of the horse at that moment. For example, the higher degree of collection expected from the horse, the more engaged the rider's core must be. Top riders will instruct riders to relax, but that's not how they themselves actually ride!

Connection

Getting the horse to reach into the reins

You will very seldom hear me say "get your horse on the bit". Instead, I use " send the horse more reached into the reins". I want riders to learn how to truly ride their horses from the back to the front. "Get your horse on the bit" encourages riders to ride off their hands and only worry about getting the horse's head down. That is riding from front to back, which is not correct biomechanically for the horse and creates much tension. I give you the keys in your body to access the tools needed to achieve connection.

Impulsion

Impulsion is an elusive being

Many times, riders as well as trainers use forward incorrectly. I see so many horses literally almost run off their feet in the name of forward or impulsion. Impulsion is the result of the horse engaging his core, being over his back and reached into the reins with the right degree of forward for that horse.

ready to ride

Jump into change!

1 Find a Clinic in your area

Stephanie teaches all over the US. There is a list of upcoming clinics. If you don't see one in your area, feel free to reach out so maybe one can get organized near you. I'm always interested in new venues.

2 Money Back Guarantee

Yep. That's not a misprint. I feel that all riders can benefit from riding with me. I want the horses happy!

If for any reason, after attending the clinic, you feel it wasn't worth it, I'll refund the clinic tuition fee. So come try me out,!.

3 Become a better partner for your horse

By learning how to sit balanced, how to be a quieter yet more effective rider your horse can now offer you amazing rides. Sometimes changes are dramatic in just one lesson, hard to believe I know. But it does happen!

Knowledge to Bring out the Best

in You and Your Horse

Stephanie is an Advanced Instructor with the Ride With Your Mind/ Mary Wanless organization. One of the top 6 in the world! She has been teaching for 40 years, and integrating biomechanics into her work for the last 25 years. She assists Mary Wanless at Teacher Trainings held in the US.

Stephanie is also a USDF "L" Graduate with Distinction. She is available for judging schooling shows, including Western Dressage classes. She is a USDF Bronze Medalist as well. After 2 years of diligence, Stephanie is now a licensed USEF Western Dressage "r" judge.

For more than 10 years, as Stephanie was an accredited Level 4 Apprentice Centered Riding Instructor and a Level 2 Practitioner with Linda Tellington-Jones. After becoming involved with RWYM, she focused her full attention on this method.

Stephanie's background combines theory and practice for a connected and uncomplicated training experience. Stephanie has experience working with riders of all levels, most breeds of horses, and with a large variety of disciplines.

Stephanie has amassed miles of experience over her lifetime with horses. Her eye for balance along with her teaching style, make it easy for riders to learn from her. She can help make positive changes in both horse and rider.

Been there, done that...

I don't even want to think about how much money I've wasted on bad lessons and clinics over the years. Clinics where, on the way home, I'm thinking what a waste of time and money they were! Or lessons where I was left very confused at the end. Or clinics that when I watched the video of my ride, thought this is awful! Why didn't the instructor tell me?!

My promise to you

My promise to you is that you will enjoy the clinic. That you will learn and make improvements. I love teaching and it shows! It is my job to ensure you understand the instruction. And while progress can be slower for some people while others progress faster, it's all about the journey to becoming a better rider.

Frequently asked questions

I don't show, will your instruction still help me?

Absolutely! I teach a safe, balanced seat. I don't care if riders show or not. I want happy horses and balanced riders.

Where do you teach? Where can I find you?

Stephanie teaches all over the US. Prices vary according to locations for a variety of reasons. Please go to the Clinic Schedule page to find clinics close to you. If you don't see one near you, and would like to organize one, please reach out to Stephanie.

My horse is barely broke to ride, with only 30 days under saddle. Can I bring him?

Please NO. When a horse is that green, clinic settings can be overwhelming to him. It can turn into a difficult scenario for me to handle. I used to teach young horse clinics, but that's not what this is. Best if you can find another horse to ride for the clinic so we can focus on your riding. It's near impossible to have the brain space needed to focus on your riding while you are having to worry about the baby horse.

My horse isn't fancy. Am I going to feel out of place at your clinic?

NO! Stephanie welcomes all levels of riders and all breeds of horses. Mules are welcome too! What Stephanie teaches is applicable to all horses and riders. She has worked with a large variety of breeds over her career. Once, at a clinic in NC, out of 12 horses, there were 9 different breeds, with 4 of the horses being Icelandics!

Is this for Western or English riders?

Stephanie is both an "L" Graduate Judge with USDF as well as an USEF Western Dressage "r" Judge. She takes her knowledge of rider biomechanics and applies it to whoever shows up to ride! So whether you ride English or Western, Stephanie can give you tools and help you along your journey to become a better rider.

I'm out of shape, and/or my horse is out of shape, can I still get enough useful information from the clinic?

Yes! We can do lots of work at the walk with short trot intervals. While riding with the method I teach, you will find you have to use new muscles. I will give you and the horse walk breaks when needed to make sure no one overdoes it. If you and/or the horse are exhausted, there is no learning happening. Better to take short breaks, then back at it. The walk breaks are a great time for clarity and discussion!

Do you want to stay stuck?

Or are you ready to get out of the rut?

Limited progress

Do you receive the same lesson over and over?

Frustrated

Are you often exasperated by the end of your ride?

Professional Novice

Have you been showing the same level for years?

Clinic Hopper

Do you go ride with big name clinicians, only to be left confused after your lesson?

Instead...

Pathway to Success

Get a lesson tailored specifically to you and your horse.

Clarity

By using clear wording, hands on adjustments to rider position, and visual demonstrations, I make sure the rider understands what I'm teaching them.

Level Up

Many times my riders say "oh this must be what my instructor was trying to tell me". Often, instructors assume you already know what they know. It's called expert amnesia. Seriously, it's a thing.

Homework

I will make sure you can repeat the new work. I want you to be able to go home and use what I've taught you.

make my horse happy

What Our Happy Clients Say:

Wow!
Little did I know when I signed up for the clinic that Stephanie would
give me exactly what I was looking for. My little horse loved it too
based on how incredible he felt under me. Thank you Stephanie, I'll be
back for more.

-Laura

I sincerely appreciate all that you have done for us. Since lessons with
you, my last show average improved nearly 4%. In the middle of my test I
was noticing my old habits sneaking up and I quickly thought what would
Stephanie tell me to do - so I sat back, brought my leg under, and
focused on my tempo. Score! :)

We are looking forward to continuing to working hard with you!

- Leslie and Luna

Since I have been riding with Stephanie,my rider's position has changed from
being a passenger to actually having a positive influence through my
seat to my horse.She has such a gift in articulating specifically to
each rider how to make the corrections in their body position that will
result in positive feedback from the horse.She makes the work fun and
exciting and allows me to see the possibilities for the future-my horse
and I highly recommend working with Stephanie!

- Christie