Kari teaches lessons in Huntseat on the flat, Hunters/low Jumpers, lower level Dressage, Western rail classes, Trail, and Speed events (Advanced Dressage and Hunter/Jumper riders are encouraged to ride with Shari).
The focus of the lesson program is to produce safe, confident riders who have a good foundation in the basics of riding as well as proper horse care. Students learn how to catch, groom, and tack up their lesson horse, as well as proper horsemanship and riding etiquette. Not only will you learn how to ride, but you will also learn how to care for a horse, about tack and how to care for it, and the possibility of trying a horse show or two.
Private lessons are strongly encouraged, and are required for all first time riders. This provides a safe learning environment, and ensures that the rider receives the individual attention they need and deserve. Group lessons are available for riders who wish to ride with a friend but they are on a first come first serve basis, and they are limited to 2 to 4 riders. Lessons are available to everyone 6 years old and up with younger students on a case by case basis.
ALL students enrolled in any riding program MUST wear a certified ASTM-SEI approved riding helmet (will be provided), long ankle length pants or jeans, and boots with a 1" heel. We do have a boot box with used boots that may be purchased for students having trouble finding the right footwear but sizes are limited.
The Instructor reserves the right to cancel or reschedule lessons in the event of extreme weather (Heat in excess of 100* or temperatures below 25* or pouring rain/snow or by instructors discretion). The Instructor will make all efforts to notify students as early as possible if this occurs.
Lessons will start promptly at the scheduled times. To keep on schedule, students who arrive late will ride until their scheduled time is up (i.e. if you are scheduled to ride from 8am-9am and do not mount the horse until 8:30, your ride will still be done at 9am). Please call in advance if you know you may be late as lesson may be able to be rescheduled. Students who arrive more then 10 minutes past their lesson time forfeit their lesson.
Lessons should be taken at the regularly scheduled time each week; only 1 no show will be allowed per year. No call or no shows (after the first one) result in a forfeited lesson and no refund will be made. If a lesson must be missed due to an emergency, please let the instructor know as soon as possible. For any other reason, please notify instructor at least 1 week in advance so that time slot may be filled by someone else and your lesson may be rescheduled without penalty.
Training
Kari offers training in Hunter Under Saddle, Western Pleasure, Trail, as well as refresher training for already broke horses. Yearlings may also be trained in Lungeline and Inhand Trail. This program focuses on making a happy, sane, riding horse that you can enjoy for years to come. Each horse or pony is treated with the care and respect it deserves, and is trained at their own pace.
Horses in training will learn proper ground manners and roundpen etiquette before being ridden under saddle. Once under saddle, the horse will learn to walk, trot/jog, canter/lope, back, and learn beginning collection/lateral movements. Horses already broke to ride will learn refinement of the aforementioned tasks, as well as more advanced maneuvers should the owner request it. Yearlings doing inhand training will learn proper ground skills/roundpen etiquette as well as skills for Trail class. Horses will be worked 3 to 6 times a week depending on the horse and skills needed, as well as the weather.
It is recommended that unbroke horses stay a minimum of 60 days to be started under saddle with the option of going longer should the horse need more time. Refresher training is recommended at a minimum of 30 days with the option of going longer. For yearlings we recommend 30 days with the option of going longer should the horse/pony need it. Single sessions can be done on broke horses as a tune up but those are on a case by case basis depending on the horse/pony in question. Please note that if you would like to have a show horse, one ride or even 30, may not be enough to make that horse competitive at a show. Show horses require more intense training then a pleasure horse would, and therefore, require more time and effort.
At this time Kari has no open spots for training riding horses. Horses kept at the Tanner Ranch do have the option of being trained as they already have a stall. If you would like to have your horse/pony trained or tuned up you may contact Shari to see if she has any room.
Kari has started several nice horses and ponies including horses who have gone on to be very successful in the show pen. Past trainees include: Yo Moe (NRHA money earner), Cool Breeze Cowboy (NRHA money Earner), Morning Breeze Cowboy (NRHA money earner), Hesa Grand Slam (High Point winner, International Top Five), and Straw Razzberry (International Futurity Reserve Champion).
