The art of Horseback Riding

In the heat of the late afternoon sun, Pierce’s intermediate horseback riding students brush, shoe and saddle their horses at the start of class in the stables of the Equestrian Center. Learning to ride a horse is all about getting on and staying on, according to instructor Dr. Patricia “Patty” Warner.

However, in intermediate horseback riding, students learn how to build off of basic skills like tack room and safety procedures. It’s where students begin to communicate with the horses.

When the horses are properly saddled and groomed, they are lead down a pathway to the arena, a spacious area where the soil is moistened for the horses to walk on.

With riders mounted on horses lined up across the length of the arena, students wait for instructions from Warner. Walking in straight lines, walking a correct circle and keeping the horse between the reigns and legs are some of the challenges the students work on.

Students walk their horses in a counter-clockwise motion until Warner yells, “Reverse,” which means the students must turn their horses around in place and continue in the other direction without running into another horse and its rider in the middle of the arena.

By the end of the exercise, the class gained valuable information on what they need to improve on or have improved on since last class.

“I love these people,” Said Warner. “All of them are just great kids and can take instruction great.”