riding with hannah
My love of all things horsey started growing up in Alaska; jumping Icelandic Horses over theAlaska Pipeline was just the beginning! I have ridden around the world
I spent a year in Ireland at a steeplechase/event horse barn, interned at a fox hunting/event barn in New Zealand, and did a dressage intensive in Denmark. Stateside, I was a working student for DennyEmerson, with regular lessons from Jimmy Wofford and the O’Connors. I rode with Jim Graham(a selector for the USET) in the south for 3 years, competing thru the CIC*** / CCI** level onseveral horses I developed myself. I’ve ridden with William Fox-Pitt, Ingrid Klimke, Conrad Schumacher, Wendy Murdoch and more.
A near-death injury and extended illness allowed me to leave the high-pressure world of upper level competition and develop a program that incorporates horses of all caliber and riders of allability. My focus in my training sessions is on positive connections between horse and rider;not just schooling exercises or drilling positions but understanding the whys and how’s of whateach individual (both horse and rider) need at that moment to become the best versions of themselves.
To that end, I focus on how the rider and horse work together, and how the rider’s patterns,posture and position can be improved to enable the horse to be a healthier, happier athleteand partner. Certified in the Franklin Method for Equestrians, I use various tools (balls, resistance bands, sponges, etc) to increase the rider’s awareness of what their body patternsare and how to improve them.
Having over 1200 CE hours in horse biomechanics/anatomy/physiology, I also address the patterns and movement of the horse, helping the horse find a happier, more balanced way of moving across the ground while carrying a rider. As a licensed saddle fitter, the balance and comfort of the interface between the horse and rider is addressed as needed.
But you don’t have to take my word for it! Here are some of my students’ views on theirexperiences in our lessons.
Horse centered, focused on what horse needs for its development, unwilling to compromiseon what is best for the horse. Instilling and inspiring the responsibility of the rider as thesteward for the horse’ experience.
Relentlessly positive and validating; noticing and encouraging the try and the small changesthat are happening.
Ability to explain and convey instruction in a variety of ways so that the information sinks in.
Supportive, encouraging, humanistic way of recognizing the best in both horse and rider.Meeting them where they are and guiding them to the best of each other.
