Top Maryland Horse Boarding Instruction and TrainingBascule Farm

balanced seat training

Our instructors teach balanced seat riding based on classical training principals. They are great communicators and love to teach. Choosing a trainer is easy, as we all work together. What’s best for you, the client, is what we all strive for. We are here to provide you with a glimpse of what you really can do with your 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.

Our focus is on students that want to be in a consistent program of lessons to prepare them for leasing or purchasing a horse of their own. This allows us to reserve your day, time and horse. Introductory lessons (first time @ Bascule) must be 1 hour and are Friday evenings and Saturdays.

meet your next trainer

Whether you’re a beginner, just starting out, or advanced rider with competitive ambitions, we have someone for you. Many of our riders choose to work with multiple trainers, to maximize their learning.

Julie has many years experience bringing riders and horses from beginner levels up through the ranks to accomplished, competitive, empathetic riders and trainers. Her experiences competing at the FEI levels in Germany, teaching at Morven Park International Equestrian Center, and owning/running Bascule have given her a depth of knowledge and experience she loves to share. Her commitment to the sport, through a highly regarded working student program has built many students into professionals.

Julie is available for a small number of horses in training as well as morning and evening students.

Richard “Dick” Hagen has trained with Bruce Davidson Sr, David and Karen O’Conner, Todd Minikus, Fred Weber, Eric Horgan and Lillian Heard. He has competed multiple OTTB’s from first time out to Intermediate and brought many a homebred WB/TB-cross from unstarted to competition level. As a former Whip for over 25 years, he has taught and taken horses over ground/country far more trappy than any cross country course. He is meticulous about being attuned to the horse and how it learns. His students learn to be correct and precise. With a history as a wrestling coach, he is a human bio-mechanics geek, and brings all of that to his lessons as well.

Dick is available for privates, group jumping lessons, cross country schooling and coaching at events.

Carlie joined us in 2015 and has a very strong classical background which fits in well with our mission. She has her USDF Bronze & Silver Medals as well as her BHS certification from the UK. She is competing her young Dutch bred gelding, Shtratego at FEI levels. She is very successful in making positive changes in riders and horses. Many of the eventing competitors shave their scores by doing a dressage tune up with Carlie. She also has extensive experience developing young horses for dressage. Her clear, concise and empathetic aids help horses learn without fear. Carlie coaches at many local PVDA/FADS and rated dressage shows with her students as well as competing client 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. 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.

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 will be transitioning soon to full time teaching and we are very excited to have her back. She lives with her family (her husband, Jesse and sons, Jaden and Gavin) just one mile away from the farm driveway. Her students love her thoughtful, systematic approach. Chris has a flexible schedule so everyone takes advantage when she’s available.

RATES

Head Instructor Lessons (Julie, Dick, Chris)*

Private Lessons – paid in advance if not owner or leasing.

30 Minute Lesson – $55 per rider / $65 with lesson horse

45 Minute Lesson – $80 per rider / $95 with lesson horse

1 Hour Lesson – $100 per rider/ $115 with lesson horse

Group Lessons (when available) on farm

Small group (3-4 riders ) – $50 per rider

Training sessions

$60 per horse and includes grooming/tacking up

*all riders training with head instructors are expected to groom/tack and warm up their horses before their lesson.

Assistant Instructor Lessons (Eliza)

MONTHLY LESSON PACKAGES: This reserves your day/time/horse each week.

Half Hour lessons: $220/mo

45 min lessons: $340/mo

Hour lessons; $420

Private Lessons – paid in advance if not owner or leasing.

30 Minute Lesson** – $45 per rider / $55 with lesson horse

45 Minute Lesson – $70 per rider / $85 with lesson horse

1 Hour Lesson – $90 per rider/ $105 with lesson horse

Group Lessons (when available) on farm

Small group 1 hr lessons (3-4 riders ) – $45 per rider

Training sessions

$50 per horse and includes grooming/tacking up

**30 minute lessons are not available to those who are not proficient in grooming/tacking up so we have time to teach you

Cross Country Schooling*

$100/rider (max 4 riders, average of 90 minutes)

*Available only to riders who own their own horses or who lease a horse and have explicit, written permission from the owner to take the horse schooling.

Showing Rates

Event Coaching Fee – $100 per event

Dressage Coaching Fee – $55 per half hour

Trailering – $1.50 per mile (client horses only)

Competing a Client Horse – $100/day

We accept Zelle payments for lessons and they must be paid in advance.