Don't miss anything happening
at Greenbriar Riding Academy!
APRIL 2025
Issue 17
March went out like a lion with a much needed thunderstorm; today the earth smells rich and ready for Spring. The horses are shedding and will be slick and shiny by the end of the month. April is going to be an exciting month! We have a couple of clinicians coming to Greenbriar to share their knowledge with our students. EIDEA will be holding a workshop for volunteers to learn how they can help make a horse show a success. April 20-26 is Level Up Week, so we have increased our Horsemanship class offerings to help our students Level Up! this month.
Robin
WHAT'S COMING
APRIL 4
Julie Christie Clinic
12 - 5pm
APRIL 6
Julie Christie Clinic
8am - 12pm
APRIL 13
Barrel Racing Basics Clinic
with Aleah Schneider
1pm
APRIL 19
Barn Buddies
11am - 2pm
APRIL 21 - 26
Level Up Week!
APRIL 27
Start of the new trimester
APRIL 27
EIDEA Dressage Show Volunteer Training
9am - 3pm
Julie Christie Clinic
Julie Christie is a USDF Silver and Bronze Medalist, FEI Rider, and former Equine Science College Professor who specializes in the biomechanics of riding horses, focusing on rider position and its impact on the horse's learning and well-being. Julie's approach emphasizes understanding how a rider's position and movements affect the horse's balance, movement, and overall learning.
Clarity of Aids: She teaches riders to use their aids (seat, legs, hands) clearly and effectively, promoting positive learning experiences for the horse.
Horse Behavior Knowledge: Julie is knowledgeable about how horses think and learn, which is beneficial in training and addressing behavioral issues.
Teaching Methods: She uses analogies and integrates tools like Franklin Balls and Equiformance Bands to help riders understand concepts and improve their riding.
Ongoing Learning: She regularly seeks out further knowledge and experience by riding with experts in biomechanics, horse behavior, and dressage judging.
JOIN US
April 4, 12 - 5pm
April 6, 8am - 12pm
Barrel Racing Basics Clinic
with Aleah Schneider
Aleah Schneider is a 23-year-old wife and the owner of Aleah’s Training Horses. She specializes in colt starting, problem horses, and tune-ups, with the long-term goal of focusing exclusively on barrel horses. Currently, she has two personal horses, Tango and Vivian, who are beginning their barrel racing careers.
Aleah has been around horses her entire life—her mother rode while pregnant with her, and she began professional riding lessons at a young age. Her first instructor was a barrel racer, which naturally led her to the sport. Over the years, she trained with various clinicians and gained extensive experience in the industry. She started competing with two Arabian horses at local saddle club shows, but her journey changed when she adopted her heart horse, Twist, from a rescue. Twist had a rodeo background, and later, Aleah also adopted her filly. The bond she formed with Twist led to many racing successes before the mare’s retirement.
After high school, Aleah earned an Equine Management degree from Ellsworth Community College and worked with trainers specializing in pleasure, reining, and barrel racing. Eventually, she decided to start her own business, traveling to train horses at different locations. Now, she runs her training program from a rented facility and continues to pursue her passion for barrel racing. She looks forward to sharing her knowledge and hopes each rider gains something valuable from her clinics. No matter how small it may be.
JOIN US
April 13, 1pm
May 4, 1pm
Please note that Horsemanship Days for April are Mondays and Saturdays!
Share your experience with us!
What is your riding goal for this year?
What has connecting with horses done for you?
We'd love to hear about YOUR love for Greenbriar!
Summer Camp T-Shirt Logo Contest
Design a logo for our summer camp shirt. It should include a horse at minimum, it can have people in it. It will be a one color logo. It should represent Greenbriar well. Use your imagination! Please sign your name or initials on the logo somewhere. The winner will get a T-shirt and crew neck sweatshirt in yHeadlineour choice of color.
ENTRIES DUE BY APRIL 26!
Greenbriar Riding Academy highlighted in physicist's theoretical paper for international competition!
DISCOVER THE WORLD OF PONIES
Three students in our March class received their Rainbow certificates and ribbons! Congratulations to GiGi, Ellyn and Cecilia! Assistant riding instructors Avery, Kenzie and Jackson did a great job teaching these young people how to be safe around the ponies, how to care for them and the basics of riding.
2025 TAMARACK SPRING WARM UP SHOW
By Geline St. John, Coach
Greenbriar Riding Academy’s Show Team had a great first show for this season! Tamarack Stables, owned by Tom and Tammy Lisi, operates a schooling show and championship schooling show series for Sport Horses and Western Dressage. The Spring Warm Up Show was held Sunday March 16th at the Iowa Equestrian Center at Kirkwood. For many of the students on our show team, this is their first time doing a show that was not a Greenbriar show.
After a full day of lessons at Greenbriar, the team showed up at Kirkwood Saturday night where they were able to do some schooling in the dressage arena. This opportunity helped prepare our riders and horses for the show on Sunday. After the horses were worked it was time for baths. Some of the horses enjoyed their bath more than others! After the baths horses were fed and we headed home for some much needed sleep.
Sunday, the day of the show. Horses were fed, stalls were cleaned. Some horses had to have little spot baths to remove stains from laying in their stalls. Then the really fun stuff began. Final grooming; the trimming of the tails and braiding of the manes. It was so fun to see everyone working together and the horses turned out in all their splendor. Students helping students, even parents were getting in on the action.
David & Jake were first to go, showing off their Musical Freestyle. Following the Freestyle was Equitation, a class that our team was trying for the first time. Equitation is a class where the riders are being judged on their position & how effective they are with their horses. Avery, Kenzie, Grace and Kalea participated. At the end of the class they received feedback from the judge on areas they can improve on and they all came home with ribbons!
The rest of the day was spent supporting the riders as they prepared for and rode their dressage tests that they have been working so hard on. To perform a dressage test, the rider enters the arena along with their reader, usually a parent who goes to the side of the arena to read their test. With this being the first show for some of our riders, it was nice to be able to have their test read.
The show day went very well. Some very big goals were reached and new goals were set. All of the horses behaved themselves during the show. I'm so proud of my show team. We worked hard and it paid off. Everyone’s rides went so smoothly, I guess that’s what preparation will do for you.
This year's show team members
David & Jake
Mackenzie & Julia
Grace & Toro
Jackson & Atlas
Hazel & Buzz
Avery & Derby
Kalea & Buzz
Sarah & Frosty
To Tell the Age of Any Horse
THE TORONTO TRUTH
To tell the age of any horse,
inspect the lower jaw, of course;
The six front teeth the tale will tell,
and every fear and doubt dispel.
Two middle "nippers" you behold
Before the colt is two weeks old;
Before eight weeks two more will come;
eight months, "the corners" cut the gum.
The outside grooves will disappear.
From middle two in just one year;
In two years the second pair;
in three the "corners," too, are bare.
At two the middle "nippers" drop;
at three the second pair can't stop;
When four year old the third pair goes;
at five a full new set he shows.
The deep black spots will pass from view,
at six years from the middle two;
The second pair at seven years;
At eight the spot each "corner" clears.
From middle "nippers," upper jaw,
at nine the black spots will withdraw;
The second pair at ten are white;
Eleven finds the "corners" light.
As time goes on the horsemen know
the oval teeth three-sided grow;
They longer get, project before,
Till twenty, when we know no more.
See You at Summer Camp!
Save your spot now to ensure a memorable summer for your child. Each session offers 4 days of learning all about horses, making new friends, riding, and fun! Summer Camps will start in June!
Horse Lover - Barn Buddy Program
Have you ever noticed the adults and young people who always seem to be at the barn—quietly moving horses, grabbing tack, or sweeping up a corner? These dedicated individuals are our Horse Lovers, people who are passionate about being part of our barn community and eager to learn everything it takes to care for our beloved horses. If you're here, it means you're curious too! Caring for horses is rewarding, but it comes with plenty of challenges.
At Greenbriar, there are countless small but meaningful tasks that make a huge difference in the lives of our horses and the smooth running of the barn. Often, these little details are overshadowed by more urgent priorities. That’s where our Horse Lovers step in and fill the gaps—they’re mentors, role models, and guides for our students both youth and adults who want to dive deeper into the behind-the- scenes work of horse care.
If you want a meaningful role in the daily operations of the barn or lesson activities, becoming a Barn Buddy is the first step! This program is a wonderful opportunity to build connections within our community. It’s a space where students young and adults can learn from each other. Together, we create a stronger, more supportive barn family!
Program Details:
Open to students who have completed Red Level or higher.
Held on the third Saturday of each month, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Barn Buddy Activities: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Snack and Review: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Please sign up on the white board by the Saturday
before to ensure we have a mentor available for you.
Our next session is on April 19th at 11:00 AM.
Don’t forget to bring a snack!
OUR MAILING ADDRESS
Greenbriar Riding Academy
PO Box 435 - Springville, IA, 52336
United States
+1 319-854-7115