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| Burr Oak students Shea and Jennifer |
Hunt Seat Equitation
Dressage Hunter/Jumpers
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Riding Instruction - Clinics - Judging
USHJA Nationally Certified Instructor/Trainer
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News
We do not offer regular lessons for children under age 8. We will be offering a Saturday Morning
Pony Camp for children ages 5 - 7 on the 4th Saturday of each month beginning in November. The camp will be from 10
to 12 and offered on a first come first serve basis. Each child will learn about horses and have a short riding lesson
on a leadline pony. The cost per child will be $50 per camp with payment due 7 days before each camp.
Children under the age of 8 who eventually want to take riding lessons may benefit from taking
gymnastics, martial arts or dance lessons to develop balance, posture and coordination. Enjoying pony rides at state parks
and county fairs is another way to introduce young children to riding without the commitment to structured lessons.
Riding Lessons
Burr Oak offers riding lessons for adults and children age 8 and up and for beginner riders
through advanced competitive riding. Instruction is offered in both hunter/jumper and dressage riding
with lesson horses available. A western saddle may sometimes be used for beginners to help them find
their balance and build strength. Beginner riders are started on a lunge line or kept in a small ring to provide
a controlled and safe learning experience. As a rider advances, competing at local and regional shows and riding
many different horses are encouraged. With an emphasis on total horsemanship, each lesson includes learning about
horse psychology and stable management.
As easy it it may look, riding is considered a "high skill" sport similar to gymnastics or martial
arts. In addition, the rider must learn to "think like a horse". With consistent weekly lessons, the average rider
will advance from a beginner (walk-trot only) level to an advanced beginner (walk-trot-canter) level in about 1-2 years
and to an intermediate level in about 2-3 years. Advancing from an intermediate level to advanced level requires the
practice that can only come from riding several times per week over several years. Leasing or purchasing
a horse at some point is recommended for riders who wish to become advanced riders or wish to compete at USEF recognized shows.
For safety reasons, an ASTM helmet and heeled paddock/jodpur or tall boots are required for all students.
Long hair should be in a ponytale or under your helmet. Jewelry should be minimal and not dangle. Gloves, stretch breeches,
jodpurs or riding pants and half-chaps are recommended for comfort. A t-shirt or other shirt that can be tucked
in is recommended.
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| Cross-Training in Dressage, Equitation and Hunters - Katie Hobbs - IHSA Competition |
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About the Owner/Trainer - Carole Burrowbridge
Carole was one of the first trainers/instructors in the
nation to pass the certification exam and be awarded Trainer Certification by the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA). The USHJA Certification emphasizes safety, horsemanship and
a comprehensive system of instruction and horse training both on the flat and over fences. The United States
Hunter Jumper Association is the national affliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) which is the
national governing body for the equestrian sport both nationally and internationally.
A lifelong equestrian, Carole purchased Burr Oak after moving
from Ocala, Florida in 2005 to develop the Disability Services at Mercer University. Since moving to Macon, Carole has become involved in the local USDF GMO, Middle Georgia Sport Horse Association, that promotes dressage as a training method and competitive discipline. Carole
is one of the few instructor/trainers in the Middle Georgia area who has experience showing in the very competitive A-rated
3'6" hunt seat equitation medal classes. This background in elite equitation led her to help Mercer University establish
an Intercollegiate IHSA Hunt Seat Equitation Team in 2007.
Over 30 Years Experience
From a young age Carole learned from some of the best in the
sport. Between the ages of 12 and 25, most of her instructors were USEF judges. As an adult
she has worked for some of the most successful hunter-jumper professionals in the country.
While Carole considers herself primarily a hunter-jumper rider, she
has also studied classical dressage training since spending an intense summer of daily lessons with dressage
judge Emmy Temple (Grant) at age 12 (see D&CT article). Encouraging Carole to become a well-rounded rider,
Emmy suggested that Carole start competing in the pony hunter and equitation divisions at local shows.
By age 14, Carole had acquired a 3-year old unraced thoroughbred mare, Lucky Persuasion. Unable
to afford the cost of professional training for Lucky, Carole trained the young horse herself under the supervision
of Gabor Francia-Kiss, a former member of the Hungarian National Team and Hugh Kincannon at Ridgewood
Stables in Medina Ohio.
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| Carole Showing in the Junior Hunter Division over an Outside Course at Ravenna |
Carole has bred and trained several horses and given lessons since 1979. While attending
college she worked for the Camden Hunt Barn in South Carolina, apprenticed under hunter trainer Eli Scuri in Ohio
and Grand prix jumper rider Bernie Traurig of EquestrianCoach.com in Wisconsin.
As a young professional she worked for "S" dressage judge Elizabeth Madlener at Potomac
Horse Center in Maryland, owned a small boarding and lesson stable outside Syracuse and coached
pony club.
After returning to Ohio, Carole taught hunt seat lessons for Skip and Anne Thornbury
and for Jim Arrigon at Miami University. Her young dressage prospect Marchen won the Breeding
Division Championship at Cincinnati Dressage in 1991.
Moving to Florida in 1993, she rode horses for John Siedman at Cheval in Odessa, taught lessons, and
was fortunate to have ridden with Maclay Medal winner and top hunter and equitation judge Scott Hofstetter
and Don Stewart in Ocala.
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| Carole's background in dressage led to success in Hunt Seat Equitation classes |
Breeding and Training Quality Horses
The horses that Carole has trained include the versatile hunter-jumper "Nothin' to It" aka
"Joey". Carole bred Joey when she was 17. He was sold after winning classes in both the
Breeding and Pre-Green divisions at AA shows. Trainers like Joe Fargis, Hap Hanson and Pam Baker helped develop
him into a winner in both Hunter Derby classes and Adult-Amateur Jumper classes at major shows in
the Midwest, Arizona and California. He was known for maintaining his honest and quiet attitude
whether shown by his owner, juniors or top professionals. His two younger brothers Webelo and Rebis had a talent for dressage
leading Carole to shift her focus to dressage after selling Joey.
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| Nothin' to It at Cincinnati "AA" winning the Pre Green |
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A System, Philosophy and Method
Learning to ride well takes dedication and time. "Effective Equitation", refers to a classically
trained rider and is the basis for excellence in the equestrian disciplines of dressage and jumping. Basic dressage
training and cavaletti work provides the strong foundation for further specialization as a dressage horse, hunter or jumper.
Whether your goal is to improve your riding, improve your horse's rideability or win in competitions, dressage-based
equitation and forward-seat cavelletti training is a classical and proven formula for success.
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| College Prep Invitational Catch Ride for Shea Morris 2012 |
While an experienced competitor, Carole specializes in the careful and progressive training of horses
and riders rather than competitive riding. The emphasis is on learning to both ride and train using a
system based upon the principles of classical dressage ( a french word for "training") and the gymnastics based approach
to jumping exemplified by former U.S. Olympic Jumping Team coach Bert DeNemethy. The result is a calm and confident horse and rider team.
With a graduate degree in Educational Psychology, Carole understands how horses and riders learn
which makes overcoming challenges easier. Carole also keeps up to date on the impact of nutrition on the behavior
and physical well being of both the horse and rider. Remember that both you and your horse are what you eat, and
you are both athletes.
Equine Behavior PowerPoint From Iowa State University
Kentucky Equine Research (KER) Nutrition Library
"Effective Equitation for You and Your Horse"
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Still have questions or just want more information?
Please use our Information Request Form below
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