Yes, we are taking new students.

Both children and adults are beginning their lessons each week at NSAE. The barn feels warm and friendly, the teachers are both educated and fun, and the school horses are skilled and happy to do their work.

Lessons may be established with staff members or, for adults, with Craig Stevens when he is at home. (With Craig, we simply work around his traveling schedule-- most of his students will study with the staff when Craig's on clinic tour.) Lessons with Mary Anne Campbell, Beth Holdhusen, and the more advanced professionals in training are available year 'round.

The lessons begin with seatwork.

We have an extraordinary safety record at our riding academy. Even experienced professional riders report a profound improvement in their balance and coordination on horseback -- and this translates not only to safety for the rider, but it leads to much higher quality riding.

Students must be at least eight years old to begin lessons, and riders will not ride independently until their seatwork is complete and they understand the aids fluently. For younger children this may take a year or two- we don't skimp on this very important foundational work. Parents who prefer to see their children riding independently as soon as possible are invited to choose a different riding school.

We start with dressage, and we don't stop there.

Dressage means "horse training". The well trained dressage horse is a pleasure to ride, and the well trained dressage rider can ride in any manner brilliantly. From a deep understanding of dressage, everything else gets easy-- we have riders who love to take the horses on trails, Craig works with jumpers and eventers, and there are western saddles in our tack room too. We have pleasure riders who just enjoy an hour a week on horseback, professionals in training, and competition riders who love to get out there and strut their stuff. It's all possible from NSAE.

Our school horses are delightful.

We have a variety of school horses, from arabs to oldenburgs with a few retired race horses in there too. Each one has something to teach his rider, and each has special talents he brings to the arena.

Prices- as of August 2008:

Students may purchase one lesson or a package of four. Package lessons must be taken within 6 weeks of purchase, which allows a little flexibility for lessons you will miss. Eight-lesson packages are available for riders taking more than one lesson weekly. Lessons can be arranged easily during weekday times, and we also have evening and weekend times available.

Group lessons are available only by approval of the instructor and only after the initial seatwork and introduction to the aids are completed in private lessons.

Lessons with Beth and Mary Anne for non-boarding clients:

$75:       Single lesson

$190:     Package of four 30 minute lessons (for children)

$215:     Package of four 45 minute lessons

$400:     Package of eight 45 minute lessons (must be taking two lessons weekly)

Lessons with Craig for non-boarding clients:

$95        Single lesson or intensive session

$320:     Package of four 45 minute lessons

$590:     Package of eight 45 minute lessons (must be taking two lessons weekly)

Boarders at NSAE receive a discount on lessons with both Craig and the staff.

Clients with horses in training contract for a package that includes lessons with Craig or staff instructors, training, and boarding each month.