Lessons & Coaching
lessons
Big Skye Ranch offers riding instruction in a no-pressure, structured environment on our wonderful and seasoned school horses or your own horse. We teach students of all levels, from age 4 to adult. Our knowledgeable and educated staff will start beginners, train the competition-minded, and will work with everyone in between. Our focuses include a classical foundation as well as jumper, cross-country, & in-hand work. Our lessons are set up to be fun and informative. We are passionate about our job and will work with each individual to help them reach their goals, and exceed their expectations. All aspects of horsemanship are included in the lesson from grooming, tacking up, riding, and all the way to the aftercare
Private and semi-private lessons are offered in one-hour or thirty-minute sessions. Group lessons with three or more riders of similar ability are also available.
About your instructor/coach
Julie Fitzpatrick is a Big Skye Ranch instructor and loves to create a partnership between horse and rider, whether that is working with a person and their own horse or with one of our wonderful lesson horses in each lesson. Julie is FBI background checked and safe sport certified.
Julie has been involved with horses for as long as she can remember (her mother was an avid horsewoman). Julie has owned, competed and ridden horses all of her life. She has competed in a variety of disciplines, including ODE, hunter trials, dressage, show jumping, & county shows. She has gained considerable knowledge along the way, although she admits that after years with horses you can still learn something new every day. She enjoys the learning process herself and she is always exploring different methods of training including HSH with Fritz Stahlecker method from Germany. Recently continuing her education with the TRT method by Tristan. having taken clinics/training session with, Kevin Babbington, Richard Maxwell, Shane Ledyard & currently Lisa May. Julie has built her business based on hard work, honesty, respect, and communication. She values teamwork, sportsmanship, and responsibility in her students & staff, a combination. Julie feels creates not only self-esteem and builds confidence, but lifelong sense of accomplishment. Julie continues to ride, take lessons with Theiry Durand. It's important for instructors/trainers to keep their skills current and continue to improve! You never know everything, and there is always room for improvement. She is a member of the USEA, USEF, USDF, USHJA and the BHS
Cross Country
Although we do not yet have our own cross-country course, we plan to add fences to our trail area. We are only a hop, skip & jump from Windura to get our training rides in..
Clinics and lessons
Here at BSR, we are very open to learning from all the masters of their disciplines.
Theiry Durand was the Master Ecuyer at the Cadre Noir in Samur, France, for over 10 years. In 2016, he was one of the coaches at the Rio Olympics for France. Lisa May teaches Ride with Your Mind—Mary Wanless. If you wish to attend a lesson, drop us a line. You can also check our Facebook page to see upcoming dates.
For the children
Connection, Communication, And Collaboration
An Experience Spent Growing Their Whole Person
Connection, Communication, And Collaboration
Children learn how to connect with our beautiful, friendly horses, while honing their communication skills with our experienced trainers and spirit of collaboration with fellow riders.
Growth In Responsibility And Confidence
An Experience Spent Growing Their Whole Person
Connection, Communication, And Collaboration
Riding and caring for horses instills a sense of responsibility while building self confidence and self esteem. One of the first lessons a rider learns is to be confident while on the horse and this carries on throughout the rest of their lives.
An Experience Spent Growing Their Whole Person
An Experience Spent Growing Their Whole Person
An Experience Spent Growing Their Whole Person
Horse riding improves balance and motor coordination. Hand-eye coordination, core strength and muscular development. Spending time with horses can increase your child's cognitive skills. Keeping their brain active, problem solving, and working hard helps keeps the break from school a positive one on their development.