lessons – your horse or ours

Ruth and Toni teach at Pine Hill Tuesday through Sunday. We offer private or group lessons from Beginner through the Preliminary level of Eventing and Dressage through second level.  Introductory lessons focus on the basics and lead to either jumping or dressage.

About our instructors:

Ruth Cooper Sawin -

Certifications: USEA Certified Instructor level II, British Horse Society Assistant Instructor (BHSAI)  Bachelor of Science –Equestrian  Studies/Business administration  Averett College.  North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA)   Advanced Instructor

Experience: Teaching continuously since 1980 -  Hunt Seat, Balance Seat, Dressage, and Combined Training. Thirteen years managing a large lesson facility and  camp.  Teaching disabled riders at S.I.R.E. , a local therapeutic riding center, since 1995.   Teaching able-bodied riders at Pine Hill since 1995. 

 Riding/Competitive Experience:  IHSA through Advanced, Combined Training through  Preliminary horse trial and three day event (CCN* Essex, Radnor & North Georgia), USDF Bronze Medal Dressage - shown through Third Level and Musical Freestyle.  Currently Training to Fourth Level.

 Teaching Emphasis:  Good Basics-beginning with balance seat.  Safety and enjoyment of  the horse.

Teaching Style:  Encouraging, confidence building—quiet and low-key. 

 

Toni Stevens -

Certifications: * CHA ( Assoc. for horsemanship Safety and Education) certified instructor English & Western
* NAHRA certified instructor

Experience: * Co director/ instructor for summer horse camps in Vermont and Texas for 11 years
* Private lessons 25 years
* 4H horse club leader - 10 years
* former U.S. Pony Club member
* combined training / competitive trail riding / veterinary assistant experience
* emphasis on safety, building confidence and enjoying the sport while learning new skills

For more information or to make reservations lessons contact us at 

pinehilltexas@sbcglobal.net  or call us at 979 865 5591.

Rates for Pine Hill Lessons:

Lesson Fees      On Your Horse      On Pine Hill Horse

One hour Private           $50                         $55

One hour Semi-Private  $40                         $45   (max 3 riders)

 

One and ½ Hour           $40                         $50

Cross-country school

(up to 5 riders)

 

Pony Club 

mounted meeting Special Rate   $35             $45

Coaching at Pine Hill Shows    $35

(limited :only if instructor

is available)

Coaching at Away from 

home shows per day              $45

 

Cross Country schools

away from home                    $45

 

To make the most of your lesson time: PLEASE arrive ahead of time (at least 15 minutes) to help groom and tack your horse. Your instructor may have another class immediately after yours so they will need to finish on time even if you start your ride late!!!!

Pine Hill Work Credits may be used for up to 50 % of lesson fees.

Additional Rates for Use of Pine Hill Horses:

Use of Pine Hill horse for shows at Pine Hill

Hunter/Jumper Show or Schooling Horse Trial                 $20 per day

Use of Pine Hill horse for USEA show or show off

grounds                                                                         $40 per day

Use of Pine Hill horse for Pony club rating, rally, or camp on grounds $10 per hour (one lesson) $25 for day ( up to 3 hours)

Use of Work Credits from Pine Hill shows may be used for payment of up to 100% of any of these show or horse fees. The original hard copy of these credits must be presented at the time of payment.

NOTE: When using a Pine Hill horse for a show, rally or rating the rider is expected to groom, bathe, clip and braid the horse as necessary for the show. The rider is also required to clean tack and help to provide a clean saddle pad (either by washing one of Pine Hill’s pads or providing your own). If the horse is kept up in a paddock the rider should help to clean the paddock after the horse is finished for the day and turn the horse out in the appropriate place. If you are not sure how to do any of the above please speak to Toni or Ruth before the show they will be happy to teach you.