Okay, I know I'm not a youth member, but...

I've been looking and looking for a place for my 10 year old daughter to take lessons at. I finally found a GREAT match. She will be taking lessons at a very nice, Arabian Horse mentoring barn. Best of all she has two lesson horses (both Arabian geldings) to use AND will eventually be able to show those horses. The plan is to have her showing the A circuit on these horses by next fall. (Yeah, they think she's that good already.)

She is totally excited!

For now I'll keep everyone updated on her progress on here and once I get her computer fixed, I'll 'approve' this site for her so she can come in and chat with you all.

Awesome!!! That's a really great program - we need more like it.

She had her first lesson today. She did so good. I'm so proud of her. First she walked, then she jogged. She spent a lot of time learning to 'give leg' to the horse.

Sounds simple, but it took her a bit of time to get it down, but she did.

She's riding western and I took down her little pony saddle. We still couldn't get the stirrups short enough for her and she kept loosing her stirrups. It was so cute, she'd roll her eyes, stop, and then put her foot back in, then off she'd go again. I think I'll be punching holes tonight.

They were so good with her. She had an instructor on the ground and then one got on another horse and rode along side her showing her with his horse exactly what he was talking about and then having her do it with her horse. She was picking 'stuff' up really fast.

She helped groom, tack up, warm up, wrap up, everything and only then did she get to ride. And afterwards, she helped take care of the horse. She learned to lounge the youngsters and how to cross-tie train them. So, it's not just learning to ride, it's learning caring for horses too. Most of it she already knows, but she's listening much better to them than she does to me. What can I say, I'm Mom and it goes in one ear and out the other when I say something.

I'm really happy that I found this barn and she hasn't stopped talking since. No lesson next week as the barn is going to a show in Salem, but the Saturday after we go back. Hopefully I'll get some pics that turn out good.

That's awesome, congratulations!

Having "taught" my own daughter things in the horse world, believe me, they do hear you!LOL Mine is a very accomplished horsewoman today at 30 and she started riding with me when she was 2, so it does sink in. They just don't want us to know they are really listening.

It's great you found such a great barn for her to take lessons in. Those are worth their weight in gold! Can't wait to see pictures of her and the lessons.

Mary S.

CVR, that's is just terrific! The most important thing for the young ones is to get them started correctly. It's the only way to build their confidence and to make young "horsemen/women" out of them.