European Riding Academy

Ready to plan ahead for summer? Registrations for camps are open now. 🐴💕

Merry Christmas 🎄 one more time. Just a few snapshots from our 8th Annual Barn Christmas party. In spite of the rain we all enjoyed the drill team, the caroling, good food and good cheer. Thank you all for being part of our barn family! ❤️🐴

Countless hours of preparation, drill team practice, and of course baking…. Leading up to our 8th annual Christmas 🎄 barn party today!
Grateful for our covered arena so the rain won’t stop the fun at all, nor dampen our excitement!
Merry Christmas 🎄

These pictures are all from the speed phase. Yes, we have that even for L1 because we can and it’s fun!

Way too busy during EOH to take any pictures. We actually had a few scores of 10 this time! 👏💙

Thank you also to Anna, she makes an outstanding scribe! And Jen, who is a great photographer when she isn’t competing herself (all pictures from dressage and warm up were taken by her, and some posted here as well)
In spite of this very fall like weather, we all had fun and enjoyed a great show, wrapping it up with rewards while having a potluck 🐴❤️

Some pictures from warmup and dressage phase.

Tango was very forward, yet his young rider kept him in check very well (he is known to randomly break into a canter and go off pattern, but not today!) Love how she has developed such great feel for this old rascal. 🥰

Marie took it all in strides, listening well to her little rider, who impressed me today with having memorized her pattern and actually riding great center circles! This kid is definitely a true horse girl! 🥰🐴❤️

Princess Isabella sure is a flashy mover, and was a bit high energy according to her young rider. That, however makes it more fun for this teenager! 😆 She handles her well enough to keep her in check and on course, and score well too!

Our other competitive rider is my greatest helper too! Her and Little Bit have developed a great relationship, based on trust and consistent work. Watching these two continue to improve is a real pleasure. Both, her and Bella competed in L3 and their scores were very close. Love teaching them and watch them grow into great riders, who keep horses’ wellfare a priority. 😍💕

Greatest reward for me, as their teacher, is seeing that they are indeed listening and executing what they are taught during lessons. Every single one of them clearly tried to apply many little tips I teach them. So fantastic to see that. Very proud of every one of them! 🤩❤️

We braved the rain 🌧️ (thank goodness it just drizzled and no winds today), had hot tea to keep warm, and dealt with wet obstacle arena….. making this Halloween Fun Show one for the books! 👻🎃
Every single rider improved significantly from last show! 👏

I will post more pictures of different phases later. So just some teasers from when they got ready.

When sudden wind bursts and strong rains make a ridden lesson unsafe…. We do in-hand work, creating a trusting partnership between horse and handler, changing the horses from being anxious and on high alert, into relaxed and happy animals ❤️

All set up to ride between rain drops on Sunday for Halloween Show 👻 ☔️
Fingers crossed rain will be light enough. Otherwise plan B has to shape up to keep everything in covered arena.

Wow, time sure flies when you are having fun. Practicing for Halloween show, emphasizing on importance of knowing where to go next, especially for my L3 riders! Run out of time to do a practice speed run and once again, I barely took any pictures. At least I have one of each 😂
Isabella is turning out to be a great horse, not too much phases her anymore. Marie is a super star anyways and 31 year old Tango doesn’t stop to amaze either. Not to forget to mention Lil Bit, who continues to improve too. ❤️🐴
Excited for Halloween Show next Sunday! 🧙 🎃 👻

All set up for last EOH class, which will be our practice run for Halloween 🎃 Show!
So excited! 🐴💕👻

Another fun EOH class, learning more of the finer details for some obstacles, such as the pen, backing up L, figure 8, switch cup, pick up and drop off pole and riding over bridge, and side pass. That one is always a challenge for sure.

Psst, if you get stuck by Viewpoint on Foothill it goes through to Cedar Link…you can avoid waiting 20+ minutes for flaggger to let you through 🚙