Riding Lessons
CHA CERTIFIED RIDING INSTRuCTOR
cOURTNEY smITH
To schedule lessons click the Riding Portal to be redirected to our online booking system.
Once you have created your account in the portal you can then download the app to your phone for ease of access.
Available by searching for EC Pro in the app store
A 24 HOUR cancellation notice must be given to avoid being charged for a scheduled lesson time. NO EXCEPTIONS
We understand emergencies and illnesses come up, however, our instructors and facility depend on the filling of the slots to operate.
Once you have created your account in the portal you can then download the app to your phone for ease of access.
Available by searching for EC Pro in the app store
A 24 HOUR cancellation notice must be given to avoid being charged for a scheduled lesson time. NO EXCEPTIONS
We understand emergencies and illnesses come up, however, our instructors and facility depend on the filling of the slots to operate.
Champions in the making!
JOIN US! RIDING LESSONS YEAR ROUND
2024 Lesson schedule is up!
All Ages 6 & up
All levels of experience
All Levels of Western
Reining
No longer offer Hunter Seat lessons
Reputable References
Our lesson program is unique from others as we have a riding level system that each rider progresses through during the riding instruction with the multiple instructors at Need A Hand Horse Training. Each new student undergoes an initial evaluation via a Private 1 hr riding lesson so that we can accurately place them in the lesson environment that is best suited for their individual needs and riding goals. Through periodic skill testing students then advance to higher riding levels based on evaluation of skills mastered.
Our Level System gives students definite goals to progress towards. Parents are able to see the progress of their child as each new skill learned is checked off their list.
New Students
Please visit the NEW Student page by CLICKING HERE for information
Lesson Pricing and Structure
Private Lesson (lessons for training rides, 1-1 instruction, New Student evaluation & introductions, B1 Level Riding Students)
$80/1 HR
Group Lessons
$40/hr 2-6 riders lesson are designated by assigned riding level
B2-B3 Beginner to Advanced Beginners
I1-I3 Intermediate to Advanced Intermediate
Advanced Lesson Scheduled by request
Lessons are broken up into 2 riding categories, riding levels and age groups
Riding levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced are broken into 3 levels within each riding level ie. B1, B2, B3.
A B1 rider is a rider who has little to no horse experience. A list of required skills for each level can be found by Clicking Here.
Educational Lessons-
Educational lessons are designed to teach students the basic of horsemanship knowledge providing them with a solid foundation in horse handling, horse care and riding. Students participating in our recreational lessons will move up through our Level Up program acquiring the specific skills needed to become knowledge independent equestrians. These lessons are geared towards students who are new to horses and/or riders learning to ride for the sole purpose of enjoying what horses have to offer. Once students have the skills and experience required for competition, they may then advance to our competition lessons. Students are not pressured to compete at Need A Hand. We have designed our program to help meet the individual goals of our students. Whether that be learning to ride for leisure, gain skills to pursue horse ownership, or pursue the benefits of the Team Need A Hand competition team.
Competition Lessons-
Our competition lessons are designed with the competitive equestrian in mind. Riders will work through the Level Up curriculum, competition lessons will target developing mental focus, performance under pressure, and honing the finer details of equitation and horsemanship necessary to win in the competition arena. Students will develop maturity in working through personal challenges and hearing constructive criticism in pursuit of their competition dreams. To participate in these lessons riders must have preapproval and be a member of Team Need A Hand or own their own horse that they intend to show. Competition lessons are designed to give special attention to the refined skills and dedication it takes to be successful in the arena. Riding should always be fun and safe. Our goal is to help our students hone acquired skills and bring out their talents to be successful equestrians in the show pen.
Riding levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced are broken into 3 levels within each riding level ie. B1, B2, B3.
A B1 rider is a rider who has little to no horse experience. A list of required skills for each level can be found by Clicking Here.
Educational Lessons-
Educational lessons are designed to teach students the basic of horsemanship knowledge providing them with a solid foundation in horse handling, horse care and riding. Students participating in our recreational lessons will move up through our Level Up program acquiring the specific skills needed to become knowledge independent equestrians. These lessons are geared towards students who are new to horses and/or riders learning to ride for the sole purpose of enjoying what horses have to offer. Once students have the skills and experience required for competition, they may then advance to our competition lessons. Students are not pressured to compete at Need A Hand. We have designed our program to help meet the individual goals of our students. Whether that be learning to ride for leisure, gain skills to pursue horse ownership, or pursue the benefits of the Team Need A Hand competition team.
Competition Lessons-
Our competition lessons are designed with the competitive equestrian in mind. Riders will work through the Level Up curriculum, competition lessons will target developing mental focus, performance under pressure, and honing the finer details of equitation and horsemanship necessary to win in the competition arena. Students will develop maturity in working through personal challenges and hearing constructive criticism in pursuit of their competition dreams. To participate in these lessons riders must have preapproval and be a member of Team Need A Hand or own their own horse that they intend to show. Competition lessons are designed to give special attention to the refined skills and dedication it takes to be successful in the arena. Riding should always be fun and safe. Our goal is to help our students hone acquired skills and bring out their talents to be successful equestrians in the show pen.
Lesson Policies and Forms
To help answer the most common questions regarding lessons just click on our Lesson Policy Form to access the barn rules, cancellation and payment policies
You can also access our riding release to print out and sign before your first lesson
Click here for a Riding Release Form
To help answer the most common questions regarding lessons just click on our Lesson Policy Form to access the barn rules, cancellation and payment policies
You can also access our riding release to print out and sign before your first lesson
- To schedule lessons click on the Riding Portal via the website to be redirected to our online booking system. Once you have created your account in the portal you can then download the app to your phone for ease of access. Available by searching for EC Pro in the app store
- Sign up for text notifications by texting @NAHBARN to 81010
- A 24 HOUR cancellation notice must be given to avoid being charged for a scheduled lesson time. NO EXCEPTIONS We understand emergencies and illnesses come up, however, our instructors and facility depend on the filling of the slots to operate. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.
- All students will be required to provide their own riding helmet. Due to insurance policies we will no longer provide helmets to students. Helmets can be purchased locally at Horseman's Supply (which is just before our barn on the right), Tractor Supply Company, Rutherford County Farmers Co-Op, Dover Saddlery in Franklin, or purchased online. I suggest buying a practice helmet that can be adjusted in the back for proper fit. These can generally be purchased from $40-50. It should be noted that anytime a rider takes a fall or if the helmet is dropped it should be replaced as the integrity of the helmet could be compromised.
- All students will need to wear a collared shirt with sleeves (short or long) while attending lessons. Students may also wear NAH Barn Gear that can be purchased in our Ride-Need-A-Hand store. We are making this change in attempt to keep our riding program uniform and eliminate improper clothing while riding.
- We encourage parent involvement and we want you to be here while your kids are learning and interacting with horses. For the safety of our students, we are now asking parents to either wait in their car or ringside until their student is riding. There is to much congestion in the grooming and tacking area which distracts students and could cause injury to spectators. Our Pit Crew is on staff each day for lessons and will be assisting riders with any grooming or tacking needs they may have.
- ABSOLUTELY no open toed shoes are allowed past the front door. This applies to parents, riders, siblings or any guest. This is for your protection and ours. Riders must have proper footwear to ride. NO rubber boots or dress boots. Riders need approved riding boots with a heel. Dress boots generally do not have a large enough heel to keep the foot from slipping through the stirrup and rubber boots have a sole that is often abrasive preventing the foot to slip out easily while dismounting.
- Please read over our lesson policy and Barn rules to help answer additional questions regarding lessons.
Click here for a Riding Release Form
Need A Hand Horse Training Lesson Health Safety Policy
Due to today’s health awareness Need A Hand Horse Training has adopted the following health safety guidelines for their instructors, volunteers, students, and barn patrons. It is the responsibility of everyone to self-govern their own health. Patrons are encouraged to practice healthy habits such as but not limited to hand washing, physical distancing and limiting physical contact.
By participating in any events on the premises of Need A Hand Horse Training you are acknowledging the risks of interacting with others in a public setting. If an individual is sick or has been in contact with an individual that is sick, we ask that you do not attend barn activities for the recommended quarantine duration designated by your doctor or health professional.
Need A Hand staff, volunteers and patrons are not health professionals and will not give any medical recommendations or require pre exams prior to participation in any Need A Hand functions. Barn patrons are asked to self-regulate their own health or seek the guidance of a health professional should they feel ill or come into contact with someone who has become ill.
Need A Hand does not require the use of face coverings and while they may be worn while in the barn area face coverings ARE NOT allowed to be used while riding. Special requests may be granted in a private riding setting. This is for the safety of our riders. Seeing a student’s face and being able to clearly understand them is crucial for our instructors to assist them in riding safely. These precautions pertain to any type of viral or contagious illness and is not limited to COVID-19.
Thank you for your continued support and following of our barn policies. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact Courtney via email or phone.
Horses
Lessons may be taken on your horse at Need A Hand Horse Training or on one of our fabulous lesson horses.
The opportunity to ride your horse with instruction gives you the ability to fix riding issues for you and your horse and build on the relationship and foundation you have already. Let me help you get a more polished look for the show ring or just help you gain more confidence in the saddle.
INstructors
Courtney Smith MS in Equine Education
Head Instructor
CHA Certified Instructor
Courtney is our head instructor at Need A Hand Horse Training. She has been teaching and coaching for the past 15 years in Murfreesboro, TN and prior to that out of her training barn in South Pittsburg TN. She is passionate about helping others reach their on individual goals and has no problem pushing her students out of their comfort zone to help them succeed. A love for horses and the joy to share her passion with others led her to a career as a coach and riding instructor. Her students can boast of multiple national and world titles from breed shows to the draw format organizations like YEDA, IEA and IHSA. Her students have gone on to have great success in the collegiate competition arena making her riding program a feeding ground for college recruitment.
Head Instructor
CHA Certified Instructor
Courtney is our head instructor at Need A Hand Horse Training. She has been teaching and coaching for the past 15 years in Murfreesboro, TN and prior to that out of her training barn in South Pittsburg TN. She is passionate about helping others reach their on individual goals and has no problem pushing her students out of their comfort zone to help them succeed. A love for horses and the joy to share her passion with others led her to a career as a coach and riding instructor. Her students can boast of multiple national and world titles from breed shows to the draw format organizations like YEDA, IEA and IHSA. Her students have gone on to have great success in the collegiate competition arena making her riding program a feeding ground for college recruitment.
Ryder Gebhardt
Ryder's outgoing personality and gift for gab make instructing seem like second nature. His natural horsemanship and colt starting background allow him to breakdown skills for his students in a way that make them easy to understand and master. Ryder brings years of ringside experience to our program. He has spent hours growing up in a lesson barn and assisting at horse shows standing ringside with his mom learning the ropes. His success in the show pen adds to his resume as a teacher. Using the ,sometimes hard, lessons he has learned in his own career helps him relate to his students struggles and success. Ryder is also our assistant coach to the western YEDA and IEA teams.
Ryder's outgoing personality and gift for gab make instructing seem like second nature. His natural horsemanship and colt starting background allow him to breakdown skills for his students in a way that make them easy to understand and master. Ryder brings years of ringside experience to our program. He has spent hours growing up in a lesson barn and assisting at horse shows standing ringside with his mom learning the ropes. His success in the show pen adds to his resume as a teacher. Using the ,sometimes hard, lessons he has learned in his own career helps him relate to his students struggles and success. Ryder is also our assistant coach to the western YEDA and IEA teams.
Scheduling Lessons
All New students are required to set up an initial evaluation and introduction lesson by scheduling a 1hr private riding lesson via our Riding Portal.
For questions please contact us via email CourtneySmith8386@gmail.com or phone 423-309-8386.
Instructors and lesson availability may be booked online. Clients will always be able to track the available lessons, see which lessons you are scheduled for, receive notices and/or cancellations along with horse assignments!
Please let me know if you have any questions!
All New students are required to set up an initial evaluation and introduction lesson by scheduling a 1hr private riding lesson via our Riding Portal.
For questions please contact us via email CourtneySmith8386@gmail.com or phone 423-309-8386.
Instructors and lesson availability may be booked online. Clients will always be able to track the available lessons, see which lessons you are scheduled for, receive notices and/or cancellations along with horse assignments!
Please let me know if you have any questions!
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