Don't miss anything happening at Greenbriar Riding Academy!
Don't miss anything happening at
Greenbriar Riding Academy!
SEPTEMBER 2026
Issue 32
September is here, and we’re ready to send the flies packing and welcome some cooler weather! As we head into fall, we have a great month of learning and preparation ahead.
This month brings our Level Up Week, giving all of our students a chance to put their skills to work. Whether you’re preparing to show or working toward your next HorseSense Learning Level, we encourage everyone to take some time this month to practice, study, and sharpen their skills.
We also wrapped up another great camp season. It was a busy summer filled with plenty of riding, learning, and fun, and we’re thankful for all of the horses, campers, and camp leaders who made it possible.
SEPTEMBER 2026
ISSUE 32
September is here, and we’re ready to send the flies packing and welcome some cooler weather! As we head into fall, we have a great month of learning and preparation ahead.
This month brings our Pattern Show and Level Up Week, giving all of our students a chance to put their skills to work. Whether you’re preparing to show or working toward your next HorseSense Learning Level, we encourage everyone to take some time this month to practice, study, and sharpen their skills.
We also wrapped up another great camp season. It was a busy summer filled with plenty of riding, learning, and fun, and we’re thankful for all of the horses, campers, and camp leaders who made it possible.
WHAT'S COMING UP!
SEPTEMBER 21-25
Level Up Week
SEPTEMBER 25-27
Julie Christie Clinic
Please note that Horsemanship Days for September are on Saturdays!
Sign up below!
Schedule your portrait time, each portraits (standing on the ground by the horse) is approximately 5 mins. Horses can be wear a bridle or a simple halter.
TAMARACK SHOW
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
GREENBRIAR PATTERN SHOWS
OCTOBER 10 & NOVEMBER 7
Pattern Shows at Greenbriar
Showing can be a little bit of everything: fun, exciting, and maybe a little stressful! Those butterflies in your stomach tend to get smaller the more showing experience you get.
Our Pattern Shows at Greenbriar are a great way for riders of all levels to get a feel for showing in a fun, relaxed environment. We’ll have two Pattern Shows this fall, and we encourage riders to participate in both. Why? Because the second time around gives you a chance to take what you learned from the first show and improve!
Getting Ready
We’ll have practice rides for $35 each. Practice rides will be 20 minutes long, so come prepared and know your test ahead of time. Please be on time! Your horse will be ready for you with their saddle and bridle on, so you can hop right on and get started. Schedule your practice ride with your instructor!
What to Expect
You’ll ride a 4–5 minute test or pattern that includes about 10–20 movements. Each movement is scored on a scale of 0–10, and you may also receive comments from the judge.
The goal isn’t just to get a score. It’s to learn! Your scores and comments can help you see what you’re doing well, where you can improve, and what you might want to work on next.
Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the experience!
JULIE CHRISTIE CLINIC
AUGUST
Julie will return at the end of September! Add your name to the whiteboard in the office barn to secure your spot.
SUMMER CAMP HIGHLIGHTS: FROM THE ONES THAT MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Summer camps wouldn't be possible with all of our incredible instructors and helpers. Here are a few of their favorite memories from the 2026 camp season!
Avery H
I would say my favorite memory from camp would be when I was teaching my first ever trotter camp this summer! I was still learning how to teach what they were learning and I felt like the worst instructor for not knowing what I was talking about. I was so worried about them failing because of me but my campers planned a "surprise" for me and the next day they gave me a paper with the writing "best instructor" with a drawing of me and Harlan. And even though it was just some silly little drawing and paper, it made my whole week. It made me realize that I need to stop stressing about my campers and how good of a teacher I was and just needed to have fun with the kids and let them enjoy camp.
Zoe H
I think everything about being a helper and teacher in the camps was a lot of fun but my most favorite memory was probably the day I got a hug from one of the Tiny Trotters at the end of camp before she ran off to the car. It was soo sweet and made me feel really good about how I'd done with connecting and teaching!
Lexie L
Throughout the camp season, I really liked seeing how much each camper could improve in such a little amount of time!
Addie M
My favorite memory from camp this summer was getting to know all the kids and seeing how their personalities came out over the week!
Selby B
I remember ALMOST tricking my students into sitting in wet grass under the guise of "doing stretches."
When I teach how to tie the safety knot, you start by grabbing the rope with your thumb down, and I always teach it by saying "put your thumb down, like you're booing the Brewers." Multiple times I heard kids muttering that under their breath as they tied their knot. As well as one time where the kid instead said "booing the Cubs" with a lot of venom in their voice.
During the last week, one of the students was slow to understand how to use their reins and legs when steering. I fell back into the common instructions I use when a student needs help, but the student was still struggling so I went over to speak one-on-one. When I got over to her, I asked her why she wasn't following the instructions and she told me, "I don't understand what you want me to do." So I had to stop and rethink how I was explaining because it was clear that the problem wasn't the student's effort, the problem was with my instructions. I've been a student and a teacher long enough to see that many students don't want to admit when they don't understand something. And this was a young student! It might seem like a weird moment but I found this really impressive.
Robin B
Tiny Trotter Camp was the highlight of my summer. It gives me so much pride to watch our students go from being beginner riders to teaching beginner riders! These assistant instructors did a great job teaching the young students how to be safe around the ponies both on the ground and in the saddle. They gained a new perspective on horse handling and riding lessons by sharing their knowledge with their assigned student.
STUDENT ART
OUR MAILING ADDRESS
Greenbriar Riding Academy
PO Box 435 - Springville, IA, 52336
United States
+1 319-854-7115