Our Mission for All Things
We do not offer riding lessons. Instead, we offer a path to understanding horses and equestrian culture. We offer the ability to see the purpose, tradition, and value of maintaining them.
The rolling hills, open pastures, and green landscapes of Virginia’s Horse Country cannot preserve themselves for beauty, pleasure, or tradition alone. Things without utility do not survive.
Land remains open only when it is economically useful. A single working horse requires an entire industry of skilled tradesmen, craftsmen, competitors, owners, and makers.
Equestrian Program Philosophy
Horsemanship is not built on lessons. Competence comes through repetition, progression, and purposeful instruction. For that reason, every student follows a structured pathway designed to create measurable growth and lasting skills. This is not a once-a-week lesson program: it’s a way of living each day, always in preparation for the next ride, the next goal, the next fence, the next race and the next foal.
Ride Every Day - Every Way
We have instructors capable of developing a customized and structured plan specific to your goals that will get you well beyond riding.
We offer farm and equestrian program consulting, including logistics, operations, and management. We offer fitness and nutrition guidance for the rider as well as the horse. We are able to develop your discipline, find and train a horse that best fits your needs, your resources, your goals and capabilities.
Level I: Foundations of Horsemanship
Understanding the Why to prepare for the How
This intensive introductory program is designed to take someone with little or no horse experience and develop them into a capable novice horseman.
Five private sessions taken in a 1 or 2 week time frame. We have availability to fit most schedules with morning, afternoon and evening appointments.
More importantly, students learn the small details that separate familiarity from competence.
You will learn how to properly hold a lead rope, to tie a horse correctly in the barn, at the trailer, in the trailer or in the field, check your tack before mounting, how to read a horse's attitude and attention, and how to move around horses safely and confidently. These are all the basics to understand the “Why” of horses so that you can learn the “How” in the next level and eventually progress to the What when training for a sport.
This program is for adults and youth in good physical condition who want a real understanding of horses rather than a brief introduction. It is designed for people who are curious, engaged, and willing to learn—not simply to be entertained. These programs are not camps, pastimes, or diversions.
1 to 2 week program - $800
Participants learn the practical skills that are applicable for any discipline:
- Safely approaching and catching a horse on the field
- Leading and handling horses correctly
- Grooming and basic horse care
- Saddling and bridling
- Mounting and dismounting safely
- Riding at the walk and beginning trot
- Basic horse behavior and safety
- Proper use of tack and equipment
Level II: Riding with Intention
The How So You Can Progress to the What
10 private and group sessions designed to be completed over a two-to-four-week period. Ideally every other day, with at least one hour on the ground and 30 minutes mounted each session. This level is about repetition for core skills applied in novel ways to build build familiarity and confidence.
Students progress from foundational riding skills toward confident ground handling, controlled riding at the walk, trot, and canter while continuing to expand their understanding of horse care, equipment, and management. These sessions are intended to train students' muscle memory for all basic commands that are used in any discipline and in any saddle (flat or stock.) Students will be working with multiple horses each session to gain understanding of personality, pairing tack with task, horse and rider, and how to building a working partnership quickly for any objective.
2 to 4 wk program $1,600
By the conclusion of the program, participants possess the skills necessary to choose what comes next:
- Polo
- Foxhunting
- Mounted Cavalry
- Ring Competition — Dressage, Jumper, Hunter, Rodeo, Barrel Racing, Trick Riding
Level III: Riding for Sport
You know the Why, have the How - now choose the What
Annual and Seasonal Membership to Liberty Hall Equestrian Club
well include you in our group lessons and outings participating in all of the disciplines and sports LH excels at and those of our partner organizations. We have a regular schedule for polo, hunt, working cattle, trail rides, riding in formation, preparing for special events, etc...
As a member you are mounted for home activities and have member only rates for travel activities, special events and partnership activities.
Best - you also invited to ALL our social activities.
(we have a lot of fun)
Train -> Play -> Compete
Private and group sessions are available during our year round season (indoor and outdoor) to train on your focused sport, playing with others to compete in tournaments, competitions, exhibitions, hunter pace and trails.
Within our staff we have the proven experience to teach, coach and accompany you on most equestrian ventures.
Private Lessons start at $150 and Group at $100