As we reach the end of the year, we want to take time to look back at what has changed and what we have accomplished.  We have brought in a lot of new faces; including MaryAnne who handles our marketing and Kendall as a new instructor, Harlan and Adios as new horses and this doesn’t even include the new students that have joined us!  Equine education is why Greenbriar exists; reflecting on our work and your feedback is how we will strive to make your experience even better next year.

It is important to us that our program represents all aspects of equine education.  Our horses deserve the best care we can give them; this includes their daily care, how they are handled by their riders, how they are trained, and what we do for them medically.  Geline teaches our Training Classes that are offered throughout the week.  These classes teach horse handling skills and how horses think. This past year we had clinicians that covered equine massage, rider biomechanics, and hoof care Depending on the clinic, students can ride or participate in the clinic or audit.  We hope you take advantage of these opportunities.  Please let us know if there is a subject that you are interested in having covered in a clinic setting.

Our Show Team completed another successful season, even while managing the challenges presented by their horses. Coach Geline St. John supported riders working with everything from young, inexperienced horses to seasoned mounts needing extra guidance. Meeting these challenges is a key part of developing strong, capable riders, and the team handled it well.

New horse November!  We had two geldings; Adios, a Thoroughbred and Harlan, a Quarter Horse join our herd.  Both are rideable but neither are lesson horses or trained in basic dressage.  We also got two young mares; a coming four-year-old bay roan filly that has been saddled a few times and a coming three-year-old spotted filly that has had a little groundwork done.  Both fillies are part draft and are looking for new names.  Perhaps you can help us.  Submit your single vote on the white board in your barn, if you see the name you like already up there, add a check mark behind it.  We want them to be named before our Horses & Hot Chocolate event on the 13th.  These four horses will be a part of a Training course we will be offering beginning in January.

Finally, one of the highlights of our year has been welcoming Kendall Bloomfield to the team. Kendall brings genuine enthusiasm, a love for teaching, and the heart of a lifelong horse-crazy kid. She knows how to blend fun with safety and horsemanship, and her students have thrived because of it. We are so excited for the years ahead!