BURBANK RIDING ACADEMY

Tips on Finding the Right Instructor or Riding Academy
If you are looking for a place to learn about horses and ride, don't just settle for the nearest riding stable. There are significant differences in facilities, philosophies, teaching styles, safety practices, and service offerings. Learning to ride begins on the ground with horsemanship, safety and horse behaviour.

Where To Look to Find Instructors

Riding Instructor Certification Associations: there are several industry associations that certify instructors in safety, effectiveness and knowledge.
Local Listings in the phone book ubder Riding Academies, Stables, Equestrian Centers
Tack or Feed Stores are a good source to pick up regional publications or staff can likely recommend a local instructor

What to Ask Prospective Instructors

Lesson Horses/Ponies-# of available mounts- are they suitable for beginners and are there more advanced horses for when the student is ready to move up?
Safety: Is a safety program in place and in use? Is it enforced? How are students matched to horses? Are staff trained and certified in First Aid and CPR? Does the facility carry Liability Insurance (an indication of of the understanding and attention to safety and risk management)? Are assistants used?
Curriculum: Do students learn about the care and handling of the horse in addition to riding?
Costs: How much are group and private lessons? Discounts for paying in advance? What is the policy for cancellations? Makeups available?
Logistics: What are the days, times, and age groups of lessons? How large are classes?
Accreditation: Is the instructor certified by a riding instructor organization or does he/she have other credentials such as a college degree in horsemanship?
Resume: Has the instructor had experience in and success with teaching youngsters?

Facility Inspection

Safety: Are safety measures described to you in practice? Are students wearing helmets? Do the horses look calm and manageable, as opposed to fresh or high strung? Are the facilities safe looking? Tack and equipment in good condition? Are personnel alert and no-nonsense in their approach to overseeing children? Is there a sense of order and discipline?
Professionalism:Is the facility clean and well oragnized? Are lessons running on time? Is the instructor neatly and appropriately dressed? Do the horses look fit, healthy, and happy with well cared for feet?
Character: Your child will learn more than horsemanship and riding from the instructor. Is he or she a role model that you are comfortable with?
Atmoshere: Is it businesslike, but friendly? Do the staff and students seem happy and congenial with each other?

Observing Lessons

Focus: Does the instructor seem to have a goal for the lesson?
Safety: Are lesson mounts cooperative and well behaved? Are the activities well matched to the ability level of the riders?
Teaching Style: Is the instructor clear and patient and able to convey concepts to children in a meaningful way? Is there a balance between theory and practice (the time the student listens and then actually practices)? Is the teaching style flexible to accomodate both timid and bold riders? Does the instructor re-phrase or re-explain things for emphasis, and to check to make sure the student understands? Not all good riders and horse trainers are good teachers, so be especially observant in this area. Does the instructor explain the HOW of doing something and not just the WHAT?
Attitude:Is the instructor upbeat? Does he or she focus on the positive, combining constructive criticism and praise/encouragement? Does the instructor seem to enjoy the children or is instructing "just a job"? Do the students seem to be having fun?

MEET THE INSTRUCTORS:

Jennifer Monroe~Jen has been riding well over twenty years. She is a graduate of Delaware Valley College with a Bachelor's degree in Equine Science. While there, Jen was a member of the Intercolligiate Riding Team. Over the course of her riding experiences Jen has worked for several barns teaching beginners through advanced. She has experience working with summer riding camps and working with students on hunt seat, jumping, dressage, driving, and western. She enjoys working with children and adults in private or group lessons giving confidence and encouragement to attain their full potential.

Christine Burbank~ CHA Certified Master Level Instructor & Clinician that's been involved with horses on many different levels and in several disciplines for more than 30 years. She holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology and is currently (almost finished) working on her MS/MBA in Biotechnology. As a teenager, she was a very active memeber of the United States Pony Club. She has plenty of show miles in hunters, jumpers, dressage and combined training. Through the years, she has managed boarding, training and breeding barns, set up and run large lesson and summer camp programs, and has had experience with local and national horse shows through judging and organization. Christine teaches students safety and some horsemanship first based on Pony Club and CHA theory. They are then moved onto balanced seat instruction which enables students to progress into any area of riding. From there, students are helped with setting and accomplishing goals, whether it is doing dressage, conditioning and preparing to go to an event, doing a first show or even their first trail ride.