The Riding Program

Here at Honey Ridge Farm, safety is the main priority.  The first lessons are how to be safe around horses on the ground, then in the saddle. All of our students learn how to catch, halter, groom and saddle their own horse safely and quietly.  They learn ground exercises that earn the horse's respect and make better partners under saddle. We use our lighted arena and 50' round pen to provide an environment for the students to learn in a controlled and safe environment. 

The riding program is separated into 2 categories: Riding and Trail and each category has 3 levels.

Riding Level 1 teaches basic control at the walk and trot. Riding Level 2 introduces the canter and further develops a balanced and centered seat. Riding Level 3 adds jumping to the skill test. At each Riding Level, the student is required to pass both a written test and a riding test.   

Using our unique Versatility Challenge Trail Course, the Trail program gets the riders out of the arena and helps the horse and the rider team to deal with real life situations they might encounter out on a trail ride, in the performance arena or out on the ranch.  The course consists of more than 40 obstacles that present many challenges and unique situations that require real horsemanship skills to complete properly. As a part of the course, the horse and rider team learn to cross water, go up, down and around logs, hills, jumps, bridges, drop offs, run cross country, ride though gates, gullies, woods and even throw a rope at a roping dummy, just to name a few.

The trail students work through the course in a supervised and controlled environment and advance at their own pace. This makes it easy for the horse and rider team to succeed and gain confidence. There is something special about being on horseback out in a natural setting while having fun training and developing a true partnership with your horse.

The Trail program's three levels each become more challenging as the horse and rider work as a team through the different obstacles.  By the time a team completes the third level in both the Riding and Trail programs they will have developed considerable skills and be well prepared to handle many riding challenges.

Nancy Lamphere is certified as a Level 2 Instructor in both English and Western disciplines by the Certified Horseman’s Association as well as an EAGALA Level 1 certified horse specialist.