Deepen the awareness between you and your horse, and progress in the type of riding you choose.

Enjoy wonderful rides

As a horseback riding instructor, my passion is helping students understand their horse, and build the skills and confidence they need to enjoy their chosen equestrian activity.

I especially enjoy lightbulb moments

I especially love lightbulb moments - the instant when you feel an important skill clicking into place, or that moment of unblocked, free flowing energy between you and your horse.

Contact Melissa

smartalexequestrian@gmail.com

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How You Progress

To progress in our work with horses, I believe we need awareness, compassion, and clarity.

Awareness

We need to know what our body is doing, and how the horse’s body is responding.

We use awareness both on the ground and in the saddle to help horse and human bond and connect.

Compassion

What causes a horse to pin its ears, go too slow, too fast, do what we don’t want, or refuse to do what we ask? These behaviors tell us something.

We look at what is happening with a balance of kindness and desire to understand.

Clarity

What a joy to ride a willing horse that follows gentle guidance with ease.

We work to be clear in what we ask. So, we’re always learning about the fit of the tack, how to use aids, and allow motion of the human body to flow in harmony with the horse.

I started riding in South Africa

While growing up, my family took me to a stable in Johannesburg, where I experienced the joy of riding and working with horses.

That’s where my passion to teach horseback riding began. For college, I came to the United States to pursue equine studies.

After my studies at Averett University in Danville, VA, I spent many years working and competing at an eventing barn, in Maryland, and at a foxhunting barn in Middleburg, Virginia.

I enjoy working with students, training and riding.

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