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
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
Champions in the making!
JOIN US! RIDING LESSONS YEAR ROUND
2025 Lesson is coming!
All Ages 6 & up
All levels of experience
All Levels of Western
Reining
No longer offer Hunter Seat lessons at this time
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
Need A Hand Equestrian Program 2025 Riding AgreementProgram Overview: Need A Hand Equestrian Program operates on a semester-based riding schedule designed to provide students with consistent educational opportunities. Enrollment options are as follows:
- Spring Semester: January 6 – May 16
- Summer Semester: June 1 – July 31 (Limited schedule due to camps and shows)
- Fall Semester: August 11 – December 18
Students participate in a structured curriculum that includes mounted and unmounted lessons supported by the Need A Hand Level Up App.
Lesson Types
- Mounted Lesson: offered in group or private riding setting
- Unmounted Lesson: Covering horsemanship topics listed in level syllabus providing hands on learning for students
- Lesson Scheduling:
- Lessons are released the week prior to the beginning of the month being booked.
- Lessons are scheduled individually, subject to availability.
- Student Cancellations: No makeup lessons are provided for cancellations made by the student. Lessons cancelled prior to the 24 hr cancellation period will receive a credit on the account to be used within 30 days of cancellation. Credits will not be exchanged for cash and are non-transferrable.
- Facility/Instructor Cancellations: In the event of instructor or facility cancellations, virtual lessons will replace in-person lessons, covering topics from the riding level syllabus. If a virtual lesson cannot be conducted, a credit will be applied to the student’s account.
- Inclement weather will result in lessons transitioning to virtual sessions. Topics will include horsemanship, safety, and other syllabus-based educational content.
- Lesson Pricing
- Mounted Group Lessons $45/lesson
- Unmounted Group Lessons $20/lesson
- Private Lesson
- 60 min $100 (Ideal for New Students and Evaluations)
- 30 min $50 (for horse owners, and students at a B2 Level and Up)
- EC Pro US App: Download to receive lesson notifications and easily access your account.
- Remind Text Notifications: Text @NAHBarn to 81010 for lesson cancellation updates.
- Facebook Page: Like our page for the latest news and events at Need A Hand Horse Training Facebook Page.
- Courtney Smith
- Email: NeedAHandHT@gmail.com
- Text/Call: 423-309-8386
Lessons are broken up into riding categories based on riding level, individual needs, and horse ownership.
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.
Recreational riding: Our riding 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 riding:
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.
Recreational riding: Our riding 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 riding:
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.
Need A Hand Equestrian Program: Lesson Policy and Barn Rules
General Rules
Lesson Policy & Barn Rules Form
Click here for a Riding Release Form
General Rules
- No Dogs Allowed: No dogs are permitted at Need A Hand or at any team events or shows.
- Respect: All students and patrons must respect barn rules and treat each person with respect and kindness. Disrespect, rudeness, vulgarity, or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and may result in being asked to leave the facility.
- Supervision: No riders under the age of 15 may ride alone without parental supervision, a guardian present, or a trainer.
- Riding Attire:
- Riders must wear jeans, breeches, or half chaps. No riding in shorts, cutoffs, or short pants.
- Riding boots with a heel must be worn at all times. No sandals, tennis shoes, or flip-flops are allowed when handling horses. Tennis shoes may be worn in the barn area but not while handling horses.
- Riders must wear a shirt with a collar. No spaghetti strap shirts, low-cut tops, or tank tops. Shoulders, cleavage, and midsection must be covered.
- Helmet Policy: Riders under the age of 18 must wear a helmet when mounted or ground handling a horse.
- Personal Helmets: All students must provide their own riding helmet due to insurance policies. Helmets can be purchased locally or online, with adjustable helmets priced around $40-50 recommended. Replace helmets after a fall or if dropped to ensure safety.
- Collared Shirts: All students must wear a collared shirt with sleeves (short or long) during lessons. Our barn store offers Team NAH polos and other gear.
- Gates and Doors: Always keep every gate closed. Turn off all lights when leaving the barn and keep the front door closed.
- Tack and Equipment:
- Clean and store all tack properly after each ride.
- Only use grooming tools, halters, leads, and tack assigned to each specific horse. Ask barn management if a horse does not have assigned supplies.
- Cooling Down Horses: After riding, every horse needs to be cooled down, groomed properly, have feet picked, and water bucket refilled.
- Tying Horses: Only tie horses in designated grooming areas and tie areas by the outdoor round pen. Do not tie horses to stalls, doors, or in the hallway. If no tie area is available, have someone hold your horse.
- Supervised Riding: Riders should arrive at the barn 15–20 minutes before their lesson to groom and tack up their horse if they are confident enough to handle the horse with minimal supervision. Parents may drop off riders no more than 30 minutes before their lesson and should pick them up promptly at the end of the lesson.
- Clean Up:
- Clean up after your horse and yourself immediately. There are trash containers, shovels, brooms, and muck buckets available for disposal.
- Do not leave manure in wheelbarrows. Dump full muck buckets at the manure pile or in the manure spreader.
- Manure disposal area is for manure only. Dispose of hay strings, paper, water bottles, or trash in garbage cans.
- Lights and Gates: Turn off the lights in the arena if you are the last person riding. Always keep every gate closed.
- Lesson Cancellations: A 24-hour cancellation notice is required to avoid being charged for a scheduled lesson. No exceptions. Cancellations can be managed through the Riding Portal. You will receive an email notification for weather-related cancellations. If you have signed up for Remind text notifications, a text will also be sent.
- Parent Involvement: Parents are encouraged to be involved but should wait in their car or ringside until their child is riding to avoid congestion in the grooming and tacking area. Our Pit Crew will assist riders with grooming and tacking needs.
- Restricted Areas: Do not play on/in shavings, hay, or in the hay storage area. No climbing on gates, fences, or equipment.
- Treats for Horses: Do not give treats to horses other than your own unless approved by the owner.
- Unattended Horses: Do not leave your horse unattended in any area, including the riding arena or grooming areas.
- Guest Riders: Only the owner of the horse may ride the horse. If another person wishes to ride, notify the office and have the additional rider fill out a release of liability form. Leave a note on file allowing permission for the additional rider. Minors need a note from a parent/guardian granting permission.
- Open-Toed Shoes: No open-toed shoes are allowed past the front door. This applies to parents, riders, siblings, or any guests. Riders must have proper riding boots with a heel. No rubber boots or dress boots.
- Email: NeedAHandHT@gmail.com
- Text/Call: 423-309-8386
Lesson Policy & Barn Rules Form
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.
Scheduling Lessons
All New students are required to join our Beginner Level 1 course or set up an initial evaluation & introduction lesson by scheduling a 1hr private riding lesson via our Riding Portal.
For questions, please contact us via email NeedAHandHT@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 join our Beginner Level 1 course or set up an initial evaluation & introduction lesson by scheduling a 1hr private riding lesson via our Riding Portal.
For questions, please contact us via email NeedAHandHT@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!