TRAIN WITH WENDY ELLISON
Private Riding Instructor
ABOUT ME
I've lived in Eagle, Idaho for about fourteen years. In that time, I've had the opportunity to take lessons from many different people and in many different styles. I've placed in jumping competitions, performed in rodeo half time shows and parades, helped train young horses, and more. Having dipped my toes into the many different riding and training styles out there, I've been able to piece together what I like most from all my experiences to create my own program. This style of horsemanship most closely resembles Buck Brannaman's style of training. Through learning basic horse care and horsemanship knowledge, groundwork techniques, and riding skills, my students develop confidence, responsibility, leadership, emotional maturity, communication skills, and more. The lessons and principles I teach are not only vital in horseback riding but are also applicable to everyday life.
CLASSES AVAILABLE
~ to ride on a horse is to fly without wings ~
DUAL SESSION
$90
With a friend or sibling, students often learn better as they have someone to watch and learn with. While it is my intention to keep both children continuously involved in the lesson in some way, they tend to get less one-on-one time with me and the horse. If your child is just as comfortable with visual and auditory learning as hands-on learning, this is a great option for them!
Ages 7+
“There are things that the horse did for me that a human couldn't have done.”
Buck Brannaman
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What age or experience is required? No experience is necessary. I normally teach children with little to no experience; however, I have also taught teenagers and adults as well. The great thing about our style is that we teach by principle, and the lessons can be applied to many aspects of life – not just horses!
Lessons are available for ages 7+ but opportunities for horse time, pony rides, etc. for younger students may be available; contact for further information.
What style of riding do you teach? I initially learned English, and competed for a number of years in jumping competitions. So some of what I teach does have English roots (for example, proper posture). However, most of the technique I teach comes from Western philosophy – specifically, Buck Brannaman’s style of training. As for the tack we use, I was a member of Eh Capa for four years and have a lot of bareback experience, so I start students this way and add Western and/or English tack as they progress.
How much riding time is there? These lessons really focus on communicating with the horse. A true horsewoman/man doesn’t just ride a horse; they have to be able to work with it and teach it, and that involves a lot of groundwork. So, a portion of each lesson focuses on groundwork (again, Buck Brannaman style). This varies based on the lesson material and how the horse and student are doing that day, but on average, about 15-20mins of the 1hr lesson will be working with the horse from the ground. The remaining ~40 minutes will be riding time. Riding time in a group lesson may be a little shorter, hence the lower price. However, there are benefits to group lessons – children learn and grow by watching each other.