Photo by Robb McDonough, St. Helena, CA

Curriculum

Bottomley's curriculum blends principles of horsemanship and classical dressage. Therefore each lesson has a groundwork and a mounted component—at Bottomley you don't just tack up and ride. Students are taught to recognize the horse's expression, understand what it means, and respond with proper timing. Bottomley students also learn to be aware of the effect of their gestures on the horse's behavior—both mounted and unmounted. The use of the rider's weight as the primary aid is stressed so students begin to develop proper use of their seat from the first lesson. Bottomley Equestrian stresses the relationship between the six gymnastic elements of horsemanship and the classical training scale.

Teaching Philosophy

• Less is more
• Horses learn when pressure is released
• Humans learn when they know what they did right

How the Schedule Works

• Four semesters per year
• Each semester is 10 weeks long
• Group lessons meet once per week
• One free makeup class guaranteed during “makeup week”
• Group lessons taken by semester only (no “drop-ins”)
• Private lessons scheduled on a flexible basis all semester (a semester commitment is not required)

Interested in Signing up?

• Contact Bottomley Equestrian