The horse mirrors the rider
The horse teaches the rider

We aim to produce a balanced, confident, sensible horse; a horse that looks to its rider for guidance but carries himself without leaning, that is confident and friendly but respectful and obedient, light and responsive without being jumpy. Consistency and clarity will make a horse secure and relaxed in his work, and praise and variety will help him enjoy that work. Consistent schooling in the arena provides the horse with the mental and physical building blocks for any vocation, and taking him out frequently across country keeps him interested, fit, and confident. We try to avoid fads and stick to methods that have been proven over centuries, keeping in mind the classical pyramid of training—rhythm, relaxation, suppleness, straightness, impulsion, collection—as we work with any horse, whatever his job. Balance, straightness, self-carriage, and suppleness are as valuable in a trail horse or a racehorse as they are in a dressage horse or jumper. Simply put, it is kinder and more enjoyable to ride a horse that has been taught to balance himself effectively under a rider's weight, and learning comes more easily to a rider who is not struggling with her horse's imbalances and tensions as well as her own. Good horses make good riders.

We aim to create a balanced, confident, sensible rider; a calm guide, kind and respectful to her horse, who understands that a whisper is often more powerful than a shout and who has developed the security and strength to give that whisper authority. A rider who works steadily on her own skills will become physically as well as mentally better able to handle the inevitable setback. Dedication to details in the arena will sharpen the rider's sensibilities, and venturing out across country will give her confidence and bring her closer to her horse. And just as a horse should be trained in accordance with the classical pyramid of training, a rider should focus on her own relaxation and suppleness, balance and straightness, before she attempts to master the aids required for the higher movements. A rider with the strength to carry herself will free the horse to express himself in self-carriage. Too many people take themselves out of the picture when they talk about their horse. Good riders make good horses.