Don't miss anything happening at Greenbriar Riding Academy!
Don't miss anything happening at
Greenbriar Riding Academy!
AUGUST 2026
Issue 31
It's hard to believe August is already here and another busy summer is coming to a close. Between camps, lessons, shows, and time spent at the barn, it's been a busy but fulfilling season.
As we head into fall, we hope you'll take a moment to think about what you'd like to accomplish in the months ahead. Whether your goal is leveling up, improving your riding, building confidence, or simply spending more time with horses, every ride is another step forward.
We wish everyone a wonderful end to summer and look forward to another great season at Greenbriar!
AUGUST 2026
ISSUE 31
It's hard to believe August is already here and another busy summer is coming to a close. Between camps, lessons, shows, and time spent at the barn, it's been a busy but fulfilling season.
As we head into fall, we hope you'll take a moment to think about what you'd like to accomplish in the months ahead. Whether your goal is leveling up, improving your riding, building confidence, or simply spending more time with horses, every ride is another step forward.
We wish everyone a wonderful end to summer and look forward to another great season at Greenbriar!
WHAT'S COMING UP!
AUGUST 16
Tamarack Show
AUGUST 28 - 30
Julie Christie Clinic
Please note that Horsemanship Days for August are on Saturdays!
Learning Doesn't Stop When the Weather Heats Up
Last Monday, July 27, temperatures were simply too hot for our horses to work safely. Rather than riding, our students spent the day building their horsemanship skills through unmounted lessons!
These days are a great reminder that becoming a great rider involves much more than time in the saddle. Students continued progressing through their HorseSense Learning Levels by learning about horse care, safety, equipment knowledge, horse behavior, and other hands-on skills that build confident, knowledgeable equestrians.
At Greenbriar, the health of our horses and riders always comes first. When weather conditions aren't safe for riding, we adapt our lessons so students continue learning while our horses get the rest they need. Some of the most valuable horsemanship lessons happen with both feet on the ground.
For those interested in learning more, we've included a quick heat safety reference chart below. It's a helpful guide to understanding how temperature and humidity affect horses and why horsemanship sometimes means knowing when not to ride.
Want to keep learning between lessons? Our HorseSense Learning Levels make it easy for riders to continue building their knowledge at home using the resources available on our website. Whether you're reviewing for your next level or simply exploring something new, every bit of learning helps create a more confident and knowledgeable equestrian. Don't forget, we also offer dedicated Horsemanship classes every Saturday for riders who want even more hands-on learning opportunities!
TAMARACK SHOW
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
Join us at Greenbriar to cheer on our show team!
JULIE CHRISTIE CLINIC
AUGUST 28 - 30
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.
SIGN UP ON THE OFFICE BARN WHITE BOARD TO SECURE YOUR SPOT!
HORSE HIGHLIGHTS
Some horses have their first riders at Greenbriar - that's the case for the two horses we'd like to highlight this month - Big Rhonda and Phoenix! They joined us in November 2025 and have had great success at Greenbriar so far! As two riders have primarily worked with these horses, we've asked them for their personal insight!
Get to know Big Rhonda through Jackson's eyes. Having helped train her and now riding her throughout this show season, he shares a little about their journey together.
First, what is your favorite thing about Rhonda?
Two things - that she is in your pocket and puts a smile on your face.
What has surprised you the most working with her?
If you tell her to do something she will absolutely give her best effort!
What has she taught you about yourself as a rider?
That is takes time to see progress and that's okay.
If Rhonda could talk, what would she tell you after finishing a lesson?
THAT WAS TOO MUCH WORK!
What three words describe her best?
Brilliant
Stocky
Caring
Luckily, Phoenix looks great in pink, Jordan's favorite color! Jordan has helped shape Phoenix into the horse she is today, establishing her ground manners and starting her under saddle. Read on to learn more about this pair!
What do you love most about Phoenix?
Whenever you find her itchy spots she will always make sure you know that that’s the spot whether she’s nodding her head, her lip gets all droopy, she grooms you back, hugging you, or she’s making the most obnoxious faces ever. She also probably has one of the sweetest personalities I’ve seen in a mare, she is so sweet and funny and I love the way she thinks. She never fails to make me smile when I’m not feeling 100%.
What surprised you while working with her?
How she thinks things through and gets over things so easily. Whenever she finds something scary, she stops and you can always see in her eyes that she’s processing. Even when we introduced her to a saddle for the first time, she reacted but she got over it so quickly. She threw a few bucks but after that she was perfect. The biggest reaction I’ve seen out of her was probably when Selby was sweeping while I was lunging her, I swear she jumped ten feet in the air!
What has she taught you about yourself as a horseman?
She taught me to have more confidence in my abilities and that sometimes I just need to breathe and relax. Whenever I’m feeling anxious I always get tense, stop breathing and Phoenix would do the same. So whenever I relax it instantly makes things better.
If Phoenix could talk, what would she tell you about her neighbor, Bubba?
“He looks like a little version of me so obviously I think he’s cute but he’s like a more annoying version of me, he’s so clingy and always biting things and don’t even get me started on him banging around his bucket. He’s also kind of sassy, like dude you’re way too short to be acting like that.”
What is your favorite memory with Phoenix so far?
After working her I let her loose in the arena while I was cleaning up and putting stuff away and I expected her to go off and do her own thing but instead she followed me around the whole time. It really helped show me that all the time I was spending with her was paying off through the ways she would show her trust in me.
SUMMER IS COMING TO A CLOSE!
Camp season is almost over! We have enjoyed all of our new and returning campers so far this summer and have a few spots left in our final weeks of camp. If you've been considering signing up to be a 2026 Greenbriar Camper - now is your final chance!
OUR MAILING ADDRESS
Greenbriar Riding Academy
PO Box 435 - Springville, IA, 52336
United States
+1 319-854-7115