• How Our Lesson Program Works•
Here you’ll find more detailed information about the instruction we offer at White Winds Farm Equestrian Center. Our goal is to be as user-friendly as possible, creating wonderful experiences for our students, whether they’re brand-new beginners or more experienced riders. Below you’ll see how students typically progress through the different levels of instruction we offer.
ASSESSMENT LESSON
This is the first lesson every new student will take, whether a total beginner or a more seasoned rider. You may schedule this lesson on the website here.
For the beginner rider, this serves as an introduction to horses and how to interact with them, how to groom and tack up the horse, and hopefully (time permitting) as an opportunity for you to climb aboard and begin learning the basics in the saddle. This lesson is also an introduction to the instructor that lets you decide if the farm and the instruction you receive will be a good fit.
For the more experienced rider, this lesson provides both the student and the instructor with an opportunity to evaluate one another, enabling each to determine whether or not our program will be a good fit. The instructor will be evaluating you to see where any holes in your riding are and determining which school horses would be best for you to learn and progress on.
AFTER THE ASSESSMENT LESSON
Upon completion of the Assessment lesson, you and the instructor will discuss whether you’re interested in Private or Group lessons.
For the beginning rider, the next step is the “Introduction to Horses” lesson package, which lasts for one month. This is a reduced-rate month of 4 private lessons which serve to increase your comfort with various aspects of horse handling and riding, to include catching the horse, tacking up, getting to the arena on time, and being able to steer well enough that you will not play “bumper ponies” when riding with others in an arena or other settings in which you may share space with other horses and riders.
FOR PARENTS OF YOUNGER CHILDREN
In accordance with SafeSport guidelines and for the safety and well-being of all our riders, a parent or legal guardian is required to remain on the property for the duration of any lesson involving a minor. This policy ensures transparency, supervision, and compliance with national standards for youth athlete protection.
WHEN YOU’RE READY TO COMPETE
Those taking weekly lessons may participate with a school horse in local shows up to “Green as Grass” Combined Tests (these feature dressage and stadium jumping with jumps of up to 18” in height.)
If you are half-leasing one of our school horses, you may participate in local Maiden horse trials (jumps of up to 2’3”) and/or any local dressage tests you are capable of.
If you wish to compete at any level above Maiden, you must purchase your own horse.
CAN’T TRAILER IN? TAKE A LESSON FROM ANYWHERE!
Whether you're schooling at home or riding off-property, Shaunna offers live virtual lessons using platforms like Pivo, FaceTime, and Facebook Messenger video. All you need is a horse, a phone, and a reliable connection — we’ll handle the rest.