Riding Academy
The Brawley Farms Riding Academy enables riders of all levels to receive instruction on safe and reliable school horses. With decades of experience, our instructors are dedicated to meeting the needs of each individual rider in a relaxed and positive family environment. Lessons focus on teaching strong fundamentals with the intention of creating confident and well-prepared riders.
Our Academy has been carefully designed to progress riders through a structured curriculum, providing consistent step-by-step instruction throughout the program. An ongoing evaluation of the student's abilities allows for advancement at an individualized pace. Riding Academy students are able to develop into competitive riders, building confidence, coordination, motivation, focus, and discipline, while still having fun and developing a special bond with horses.
Factors such as age, coordination, strength, frequency of lessons and attention span will impact students' advancement. Students will progress at the instructor’s discretion. Progress is best achieved through riding consistently.
Along with riding skills, the Riding Academy program incorporates safety procedures throughout all lessons. Safety at all times for both horse and rider is our number one priority.
All lessons are approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour long depending on the size of the group and the intensity of the work.
What will you need on your first day? You should wear long pants and a boot with a heel (no high heels please). We have riding helmets available to borrow. You are welcome to bring your own riding helmet if it is ATSM/SEI approved.
Evaluation Lessons: This is a package of two private lessons for $150 total and is an opportunity to introduce you to our program and allow our instructors to assess your current skill level. Afterward, the instructor will discuss your goals in order to develop a plan to best suit your needs. Evaluation lessons must be paid for in advance and are non-refundable.
Available to riders ages 4 and up.
Brawley Farms Riding Academy Levels
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Beginner riders, as a part of their lessons, are led through the process of safely preparing a horse for riding including learning how to handle, groom, tack up and un-tack their horse. Riders will develop the balance, strength, and coordination it takes to make their horse or pony walk, trot, and stop. Students are taught primarily on the lunge line, where the instructor maintains contact and control of the horse. A confident rising and sitting trot must be reached before moving to the next level. All lessons at this level are private.
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Students will continue working on correct body position and proper handling of the horse. Riders will learn to recognize the correct diagonal at the trot, perform circles, figure eights, and simple patterns to challenge their abilities and build a strong foundation. When the rider is ready and can post around the arena two times without stirrups, cantering will be introduced on the lunge line. Students will continue to learn terminology including horse colors, parts of the horse, and parts of the saddle and bridle. Riders will need paddock boots, riding pants, and their own ATSM/SEI helmet.
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This level will bring riders their first experience with jumping. Students will continue to practice control at the canter, be introduced to cantering as a group, and will learn about leads at the canter. They will work on upward and downward transitions and will jump their first cross-rails in preparation for their advancement to Beginner Equitation Over Fences. Riders will review and learn new elements of horsemanship. This level typically takes the longest for students to fully master.
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Students will learn to ride straight lines, use their arena, and count strides in order to beautifully execute a simple full course of cross-rails. Basic horse health care and jumping theory will also be taught.
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Students will continue to advance their skills and improve their riding ability. They will work over higher jumps and courses that will consist of verticals, bending lines and rollbacks. Riders will also learn the basics of bandaging, typing quick release knots, and basic horse nutrition.
Our school horses jump up to 2’6”. If you wish to continue jumping higher or showing, we can help you find the best horse or pony to match your needs.
Tuition
Riding Academy tuition for one lesson a week is a flat rate of $315 per month, payable by the fifth of each month electronically. Tuition for two lessons a week is $620 per month.
Brawley Farms is conveniently located in North Texas, close to the Denton, Argyle, Highland Village, Highland Park, Plano, Coppell, Frisco, Prosper, Grapevine, Colleyville, Little Elm, Dallas, Southlake, Flower Mound, Bartonville, and Lewisville neighborhoods.