Lessons

YOU MAY CONTACT US AT 724 875 2834  or wildwin@comcast.net

Gift Certificates are available year round in $25.- and $35.- amounts. 

You DON'T have to own a horse to take lessons.  We have a variety of lesson horses from 12 hand ponies to 16+ hand horses.    All are well trained.  We have horses/ponies suitable for the beginner rider thru much more advanced riders.  To those who own a horse lessons can be given on your horse here (no extra fee for hauling in)  or even taught at your own home (a small traveling fee is added to lessons taught elsewhere).   We have both an INDOOR and an OUTDOOR arena so weather conditions are not a problem.  Lessons are taught Monday thru Saturday. 

Lessons are taught to both children (beginning at age 4) and adults.  Times can be scheduled for lessons Monday thru Saturday.   

We ask that you arrive 10 to 15 minutes prior to your scheduled lesson time--So that you may have time to groom and tack your horse before the start of the lesson.    Riders are supervised and instructed as necessary during this process.    This part is just as important as the actual mounted portion of the lesson--as riders need to learn these skills to become a well rounded and educated equestrian.   If you do not arrive early--grooming and tacking up will still be done--but it will "cut into" your mounted portion of the lesson time. 

Also if you can not make a schedule lesson time--please call us as far ahead of time as possible.  Twenty four hours notice is best.  That way another rider may take advantage of the open spot.    Riders who habitually make last minute cancellations with less than 24 hours notice--will be charged for that lesson.

Wildwin Stables teaches lessons, in HUNT SEAT RIDING, JUMPERS, EVENTING, PLEASURE RIDING, DRESSAGE as well as LOUNGING and GROUND DRIVING. 

The instructors are:

BETTY JOHNSTON--Betty has been teaching riders for over 25 years.  She has won many Year End Awards in Hunter and Dressage including local, regional and national awards.   Her students have been VERY succesful in the show ring as well; with many having earned their Qualified Rider Awards from the UNITED STATES DRESSAGE FEDERATION and several working on finishing their Bronze.  Betty has taught many riders from their very first steps on the lounge line--to being very competent riders.

BETTY and the Quarter Horse ZIPS SILVER ENDING in competition.

MICHELLE HARKINS--Michelle is beginning what we hope is a long and promising career as a professional in the horse industry.  Michelle has been riding and competing for many years now--winning many year end awards in Hunter, Jumper and Dressage on a variety of horses. 

MICHELLE schooling her Hannoverian PANACHE.

Both instructors bring their love of horses and their love of riding into each lesson they teach.  They teach not only how to ride, but how to understand the horse and how to care for the horse to build not just a "rider" but a true "horseman or horsewoman" while making learning FUN.

PRICES FOR LESSONS ARE:

    1/2 hour private (good for the very young & beginners)        $25.-

    1 hour private            $35.-

    1 hour semiprivate    $30.-

GIRL  SCOUT  BADGES.  We will work with your troop to help you earn your HORSE LOVERS &/or HORSE RIDERS badge.  The program takes 1-2 hours depending on how many participants there are.  The cost is $6.- per girl, there is a $50.- minimum.   You may call to setup a time, that is convenient for your troop.

Students have the opportunity to travel to horse shows with us.  Not everyone wants to compete, but for those that do, we attend a lot of shows each year.  We attend Hunter, Jumper, and Dressage shows, both local schooling shows as well as USA/EQ  and USDF rated shows.   Our coaching fee is a nominal $20.- per day.  

Horses/Ponies in our lesson program:      Miss Molly,         Pocahontis,        Pleasant Reward,       The Mid Knight Te,        Jiminy Cricket,               Sevens Ripple Glo,        Scooby dooby doo,                      Getta Likely                          SK Range a Green          Roman       and        Morgan.

If you wish to learn more about our lesson program, or to setup a lesson, you may call us at (724) 668-2849 or email us at: wildwin@comcast.net

Every  Show Season our students have won lots of GRAND and/or RESERVE CHAMPIONS in the Hunter and Jumper Arenas.   As well as numerous HIGH % DRESSAGE AWARDS.  Students have achieved National Awards  thru the USDF, as well as having qualified for Regional Dressage Championships.   Many of our students have won Year End Awards from various local associations.  

OUR OUTDOOR ARENA  with newly improved surface in 2004.  Our footing is a mix of sand and rubber, with excellent drainage.

(above) SCOOBY DOOBY DOO  ridden by Paige Mackey  April 2007

Michelle taking a lesson on her new horse PANACHE  11-06

Becky Leonard taking a lesson on PLEASANT REWARD aka GEORGE.  April 2006.

 

MICHELLE HARKINS on KOLLAGE

OUR INDOOR ARENA (The school horse Precious Memories)

 

Stacey Klaus, on her horse, The Heartbreak Kid (Shawn)

Emily Dempsey with the lesson pony MISS MOLLY 

YOU MAY PURCHASE GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR LESSONS, BY CONTACTING BETTY AT wildwin@comcast.netor 724 668 2849.  

 

BETTY TEACHING A LESSON AT CROOKED CREEK

A student taking a vertical during warm up, at a horse show aboard the school horse J.D. SKIDDER

Caroline McAllister riding Precious Memories in a lesson Spring 2005

 

       In addition to our riding lessons.  We are also offering lessons on LOUNGING & GROUND DRIVING your horse.

  DO YOU THINK LOUNGING IS JUST GOING IN A CIRCLE TILL YOU'RE DIZZY & YOUR HORSE IS TIRED? 

  Learn how to do so much more!!! Get obedience, smooth transitions, greater impulsion, add lengthenings to your horses stride, even do cavelletti poles and work over fences.  Learn how lounging can even help YOU to sit the canter better.  Learn how to use side reins correctly and what they will and will not help your horse to do.   Learn how to FREE LOUNGE and it's benefits in creating a more balanced and obedient horse.  Learn how using Long Lines and Ground Driving are useful in starting a young horse and in re schooling the older animal. Learn how to keep you and the horse safe while lounging.  And learn how lounging and ground work can help build a better relationship between you and your horse, and how it can help develop your "eye" for learning how a horse moves and to see lameness problems.  Prices for lounging lessons are the same as for riding lessons.  

 

If you wish to learn more about our lesson program, or to setup a lesson, you may call us at (724) 875 2834 or email us at: wildwin@comcast.net