Overview
This riding package is about improving your ability to communicate with your horse and developing your skills as a rider. Harris Horses will discuss your experience and ambitions, then create a special program for you. All levels of rider are welcome (from beginner to advanced). The minimum age is 14 years old.
Intensive training
The intensive training is for individuals or pairs of riders which offers 10 sessions of riding. The lessons will take place in the morning and the afternoon, and are individual or shared with one other rider of similar ability. Additional sessions can be booked if required. The lessons will be approximately one hour but if preferred, the riding can be condensed to five sessions of one and a half hours.
That can be an ideal option for a guest with a non-riding partner as this will allow a plenty of time each day for exploring this wonderful region especially those long French lunches! Furthermore, the lessons will be both fun and challenging, but the primary aim is always to build confidence which develops a calm, relaxed, and positive rider, while the focus is always on sensitive and correct riding technique with the aim of developing trust with better communication and clear instructions.
The horses
You will ride Harris Horses’ ex-competition horses through higher level flatwork, poles and basic grids, and onto jumping exercises and course riding. Harris Horses’ experienced horses are light in the mouth and fabulously schooled. They will introduce their riders to the importance of solid basics and higher level flatwork. Show Jumping is Harris Horses’ specialty and the horses have all competed at a high level in show jumping, but they will happily trot poles and "pop" small jumps when working with less experienced riders.
Harris Horses works at developing a strong and effective position, learning how to balance and control your horse through flatwork and pole exercises, and then onto riding courses confidently with a clear plan - the key to successful competing! Shorter programs are also available and can be booked on a daily basis from two to six days. Also available is a longer-term program, with or without your own horse, by arrangement.
The coaches
You will get top class instruction from Johnny Harris who is an ex-international show jumping rider and the elite UK show jumping coach and Jackie Harris, a motivational trainer and instructor with over 30 years experience. They will discuss your individual experience, ambitions, and aims, then create a bespoke program for you. Jumping is their specialty - Harris Horses' wonderful schoolmaster horses are very experienced, well trained and obedient - ensuring you develop confidence and improve skills.