Lessons in Triangle Area (NC) that teach correct basics?

[Limerick]

I live in a neighborhood with tons of kids. Since we are frequently seen in our jods and breeches or have the horse trailer parked outside, I am often asked to recommend places to take lessons. I know the barn closest to me has a good lesson program but has a waiting list. I would love know who teaches great basics with an emphasis on correct, safe riding. I don’t want to recommend the lesson factory places with ten kids in a lesson perching whilst hanging onto neck straps…

It goes without saying that I could recommend our trainer but since we drive an hour to her, that isn’t sensible. She certainly teaches great basics though!

Thanks!!

[piaffequeen]

McNairs in Raleigh, Wild Hearts Stables in Garner and Dale & Katie Wright (?) you may want to check out the Triangle Equestrian Facebook page for ideas

[jen-s]

What side of the Triangle? It’s not a small area.

[Limerick]

[QUOTE=jen-s;7142967]
What side of the Triangle? It’s not a small area. ;)[/QUOTE]
We live in West Cary so Apex, Raleigh, Holly Springs, even Creedmore isn’t that hard to get to with 540.

[woodhillsmanhattan]

MacNairs is obviously a great place but I think lacks the individual attention that is needed for many kids at the very beginning. (I would ideally start most kids on the lunge.). Being said, they taught me just fine! The trainers are great and have produced many fantastic riders. The 4H program and horsemanship knowledge they provide is fantastic.

My BO/friend teaches up-down-intermediate (about 2’6 and under) lessons at the barn I board at. She is young but I have watched her teach many times and she is great. Currently an eventer and has competed up to the 1* level but also has a background in the hunters and equitation. She has a 20 years old 14.3h QH she teaches lunge-line and beginner flat lessons on and a teenage 17h easy going English Thoroughbred she uses for the intermediate riders. She only keeps around 3-4 consistent students at a time because she is still in school (she currently only has 1 I know of). PM me if you would like her contact info.

[Limerick]

Thanks Woodhills Manhatten. I will PM you.

[jen-s]

My gelding is teaching lessons at Savannah Breeze off 64 towards Jordan Lake. I’m very happy with Tori Edwards and her program there.

Maybe too far, but I’d recommend Jeannette Ford in Chapel Hill (Jeannette, formerly ponygirl on COTH) to anyone although she is primarily an eventer. Also on the southeast Chapel Hill side of town is Kylie Barrows Fiorentino. She’s awesome with beginners, although an eventer like Jeannette.

I grew up riding hunters and by and large, I’m just not that impressed with most of what I see at local shows. Nice, nice horses, but lots of kids lacking basics. Which is part of why I’m doing low-level eventing now. For good basics, I think discipline matters less than competence in my book.

I don’t think Finally Farm/Lesley Jenks/Yankeeturnedhillbilly has lesson horses, but it would be worth asking. She’s off Yates Mill Rd and pretty much a rockstar of a trainer and an all-around good egg.

Good luck!

[wildlifer]

I agree with jen – there are a lot of mediocre to poor instructors here and plenty who “drug it and jump it.” But some do stand out –

I agree that MacNair’s has a solid program and a nice lesson facility.

Also google Ben & Erin Tursam at Summit Hill Farm. They are eventers and I don’t know if they have lesson horses, but they are super nice and excellent riders and trainers. Also do an awesome jumper show series with MacNair’s.

Lesley at Finally Farm is very nice and seems to have a fun program from what I have seen of it, I really liked the kids’ riding at her shows.

I really like Patricia at FenRidge, although that is over in Mebane. Another eventer but she also has GREAT schooling shows.

There are also some to definitely STAY AWAY from, looks like there are several of us who could tell you about a specific place if you had questions, so feel free to PM.

[Limerick]

Thanks for the replies. Maybe Leslie will chime in about her availability?
I can’t recommend the barns that pile the kids in the lessons and the kids maybe trot twice around. They are expensive and lack a personal touch. I just don’t think we will entice another generation of kids with such lessons.