WELCOME DEDICATED RIDERS
If you're interested in exploring academic horsemanship, you've come to the right place! I enjoy working with a small number of riders of any level who connect with me in our shared desire to learn deeply. I believe the best students are those with a humble heart and a horse they love!
HORSEMANSHIP
Academic Horsemanship encompasses old world classical horse training paired with modern biomechanical knowledge—a framework suitable for riders who are nerds about studying the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of complex riding theory and who can devote themselves to consistent practice with their horse. We do this through positive, ethical methods which respect the individual limitations of a horse, allowing its unique personality, potential, and beauty to shine.
My goal as a teacher is to provide a welcoming environment where you’re encouraged to communicate freely...take risks...and feel comfortable in your horsemanship journey, no matter your experience. Lessons are a fun ‘laboratory’ of learning, where you discover the process of training from the beginning steps to advanced methods. This includes communicative ground/longe work, handwork (short/long rein), saddle training in basic to higher gaits, lateral movements, and beyond. My riding foundations program can assist you whether you just wish to resolve current challenges and harmonize with your horse….or if you have the passion to pursue advanced work in haute école dressage.
CORRECTIVE TRAINING
I also offer training solutions for riders with especially challenging horses, utilizing academic remedies in equine biomechanics for complete training re-starts and rehab (see below).
I recommend visiting my page about The Academic Journey and the Study Notes page which includes summaries from past study groups, lessons and workshops, so you can see the fun as well as serious focus we give to improving our horses and our knowledge of them. Continue reading to see targeted areas of education I provide.
CONTACT - I am available for coaching and training from Eugene to Ashland, Oregon on a limited basis. Please email me at lapazarts@protonmail.com for more information, rates, and any questions.
ABOUT ME
A rider for over 40 years, my equestrian background includes eventing, competitive dressage, study in German and French schools of classical equitation, and being a member of the west coast-based classical légèreté dressage performance group, 'The French Underground’.
In 2009 I was introduced to the transformative training framework of academic Danish riding master Bent Branderup and embarked on a 5-year intensive immersive study of his methods. I founded Ballyree Art of Riding in 2013 to offer training in academic horsemanship throughout Oregon, Washington, and Idaho in workshops, study groups and private instruction. I also was a founder/administrator of the Oregon Straightness Training study group from 2013-2020. While the Covid pandemic forced closure of the Ballyree academy in 2021, I remain active to travel for private training and instruction.
RIDING FOUNDATIONS
Academic Horsemanship for any Breed or Discipline
Through immersive practice of academic riding foundations, my goal is to help you and your horse attain your highest potential while finding remedies for the challenges all of us face as equestrians. I introduce complex riding and biomechanical theory and simplify it so you can access a level a horsemanship you may not believe you are capable of achieving!
As your coach, I address every horse and rider as a unique partnership, learning about your individual histories and your personal concerns or fears. Deep rider education is prioritized, giving you the knowledge and tools to become independently effective as the trainer of your own horse, so you can also explore and progress outside of a training session with me.
In my Riding Foundations program you'll learn....
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Basics of equine biomechanics to take the mystery out of movement
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Study of aids of hand, leg, seat to teach you lightness, sensitivity, generosity
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Learning to ‘feel’ into your horse and influencing its gaits
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Progressive work in lateral movements
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Understanding and achieving authentic collection
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Corrective riding exercises to address your own individual issues
Attention to the horse includes….
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Work on the ground, in-hand (short and long rein), longe
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Defining limitations of conformation and movement to give every breed the chance to excel
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Reshaping posture and movement to progressively achieve authentic collection and unification under saddle
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Prioritizing your horse’s mental and emotional life to foster a respectful and equitable relationship with it
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Advanced training towards haute école dressage for horses with the capability and if the rider is inclined
YOUR HORSE and TACK
All breeds and levels are welcome--even if other trainers have told you your horse isn't suitable for dressage training. Academic horsemanship is capable of improving any horse and provides a solid foundation no matter the discipline you intend to ride. Horses must be at least four years old and free of vices such as bucking, rearing, bolting.
For lessons, you will need a lightweight 3-ring longe/handwork caveson, longeline, dressage-length whip. Your saddle should allow you to feel your horse's back/movement easily. A bareback pad, treeless saddle, all-purpose or dressage saddle is suitable. Your bridle/bit set-up will be assessed and changes could be recommended; you may ride bitted or bitless, including the western bosal. Advanced students will progress to work in the curb.
CORRECTIVE TRAINING / BIOMECHANICAL BODYWORK
Reshaping the Horse’s Body, Mind, and Movement
If your horse demonstrates ongoing misbehavior while riding, unexplained lameness, chronic stiffness, issues with acceptance of the bridle or carrying the rider, resistance to the aids, and a myriad of other challenges under saddle, you may be experiencing the effects of your horse’s natural body asymmetries and its inability to balance itself during riding and in unity with you. Especially if therapeutic bodywork or veterinary solutions haven't helped, you should consider that the source of your horse's physical or mental issues lies elsewhere.
A powerful remedy for many such horses can be corrective biomechanical ‘straightness’ training to help it learn how to move in balance and comfort with a rider and use its natural conformation efficiently and optimally through individually-focused exercises on the ground and in the saddle. The empathetic, positive-reinforcement approach of academic training also promotes healing of the horse/human relationship, re-establishing trust and your horse’s willingness to work with you.
I offer a program of correctional training for horse and rider in these effective methods. This is not a quick-fix solution and you should be prepared to dedicate yourself to your horse’s re-education and improvement. My goal in instruction is to give you the knowledge and skills to independently work and improve your horse on your own, not just in a lesson with me.
We will explore….
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Understanding the conformation and limitations of your individual horse
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Assessing its posture and movement for correction
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Rider education of aids and tools to establish a new communication
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Exercises in hand and on the longe to reshape your horse’s balance and movement
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Re-starting of the horse under saddle
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Rider education in all exercises, foundations and independent training methods
(I recommend reading my article about Straightness Training to learn more about a horse's natural asymmetries).
DRESSAGE BOOTCAMP
Individualized Focus for Classical or Western Riders
Targeted day-long training sessions with you and your horse, in and out of the saddle, to focus on specific areas of interest or address particular challenges.
Typical bootcamp training in the past has involved intense study of lateral work theory and practice, individual classes on various exercises (gaining clarity on shoulder-in, quarter-in, half-pass, etc.).
This session can be highly customized to your needs, including introduction to and work in the double bridle, straightness training, academic/classical training in the bosal for western riders, biomechanical diagnoses, advanced longeing, and far more.
See the Study Notes page for examples of past workshops and sessions.
STRAIGHTNESS TRAINING PROGRAM
Coaching Assistance
I no longer offer direct course assistance in Marijke DeJong's Straightness Training program, but can provide guidance in the form of assessing your horse, checking work, demonstrating exercises, helping with challenges. I have been a Straightness Training Mastery member since 2013, was the co-founder/administrator of the Oregon ST study group from 2013-2020, and have had the only established training program on the west coast offering advanced academic 'straightness' education. I am not a licensed instructor of the ST program.
Contact:
VIKTORIA LA PAZ
lapazarts@protonmail.com
BALLYREE Art of Riding | Academic Horsemanship | Classical Dressage | Corrective Training | Equine Biomechanical Bodywork | Horse Rehab | Western Dressage | Academic Art of Riding | Straightness Training | Eugene, Oregon USA