They are great communicators and love teaching with positive reinforcement and safety in mind. We have safe, beginner and intermediate friendly horses that we call our “professors”! Our program is designed to foster growth through a combination of structured lessons, clinics, progress tracking, and personalized goal-setting.
All our instructors are SafeSport and Red Cross BLR/CPR certified.
Our focus is on students that want to be in a minimum once weekly program of lessons as preparation for leasing or purchasing a horse of their own. With limited lesson horses, we have to focus on riders who want to progress in the sport or into a relationship with their own horse.
We have a very easy to use online program for scheduling lessons with all of our instructors. Lessons are available every day until 9pm, so it’s easy to fit lessons in around a busy schedule.
Each lesson is customized to meet the individual needs of each rider ensuring targeted skill development. Our goal is to help students grow not only as riders but as confident, empathetic individuals with a strong work ethic.
Once a month, students have the option to attend a 2-hr Horsemanship Class where they gain hands-on experience in horse care, riding preparation, and practical horsemanship skills. This clinic helps students build independence and proficiency, preparing them for greater responsibilities.
At the beginning of each quarter session, we meet with students (and parents, if applicable). Together we assess their progress, set new goals, and provide personal feedback to help continuous progress.
Our levelled curriculum is managed by the Trello app. Each student has a personalized learning card with photos and videos documenting their journey. Students advance at their own pace, building a strong foundation before moving to the next level.
At Bascule Horsemanship Academy, we love celebrating our students’ milestones. When riders advance through curriculum levels, we horse award ceremonies to recognize their dedication and hard work.
Great for just getting started.
Included in Bronze:
Getting a little more serious.
Included in Silver:
This is my sport.
Included in Gold:
Julie has been teaching and training sport horses for 30+ years. She is a great communicator of feel, is patient and has an extensive knowledge of classical horsemanship and ground training. She enjoys sharing these skills with riders of all levels. She has recently focused on interviewing horses to join the Horsemanship Academy as Professors and looks forward to welcoming new riders into our program
Chris has her BA in Equine Studies & Business Management from Averett College, Danville, VA. Having competed up to Preliminary level on a cheeky off the track Thoroughbred, she brings a lot of experience to riders with more challenging steeds. She is available for full time teaching and we are very excited to have her leading the team. She lives with her family just a mile away from the farm driveway. Her students love her thoughtful, systematic approach. Chris has a flexible schedule so has room for new students and horses in training.
Eliza first came to Bascule in 2014. She joined the training team full time in 2020 after earning a BA in Sociology from American University. She is a Level 2 certified instructor in both Eventing and Dressage through the American Riding Instructors Association. She competed her first horse through Training level eventing before switching to a dressage focus with her personal horse. She still loves to jump both in and out of the arena, happily schooling client horses over fences when they need a quiet, confident ride. Eliza also loves working with young horses; she started her gelding Koz as an unbroken and unruly, 3 year old. She has recently imported a fantastic gelding with a focus on showing up the levels. With her human pupils, Eliza focuses on correct basics as the foundation for furthering skills in the saddle. She frequents local events as well as dressage and jumper shows, emphasizing fun outings as a way to show off the skills honed at home while never losing sight of love for the horse.
Bella has been riding since she was in the single digits. With a background in both western speed and english disciplines, she has found her love in Hunters and Eventing. She has lots of experience training up multiple off track Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. She wants to really know the horse and how they will flourish in a way that makes them comfortable. Bella loves to teach riders at all levels and brings a positive energy to every lesson! She has a small IEA/Local show team and loves taking “her” riders to shows and events.