riding lessons
(Available to ages 14+)
instructors
Cassie Vidals
ABOUT
Cassie is Silver Brook Stables’ Head Instructor. Her passion is teaching riders how to better understand and communicate with their horse. She believes this directly translates to positive relationships, both under saddle and on the ground. She instructs in saddleseat (ASHA) and sporthorse—both hunter and dressage type (AHA). Her areas of specialty include: dressage, hunter jumper, rehabilitation after injuries/coming back into work, starting young horses, and teaching fundamentals to adult amateurs and junior riders.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked in a variety of professional barns, as a rider and handler starting slaughter bound horses in an effort to make them more adoptable. I then moved on to training and exercise riding for client horses, as well as schooling program horses for lesson barns. It is my hope that I can bring my years of experience, on the ground and in the saddle, to you and your horse.”
CONTACT
860-395-9025
silverbrookstable@gmail.com
Isabella Dubois
ABOUT
Isabella is Silver Brook’s Primary Contract Instructor. She specializes in hunter/jumper, western pleasure, barrel racing, trail course riding, and cross country. She prioritizes finding the right path for both you and your horse—ensuring every learning experience, be it in the saddle or on the ground, is a positive one. For her, confidence building and training in the basic fundamentals of horsemanship, both in and out of the saddle, is key to a successful rider since “…in this sport, the ball has a mind of its own.”
Isabella grew up in the hunter/jumper world, traveling throughout New England with her nationally winning Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) Team. She has worked with, and started, many OTTBs including her own that she rehabilitated after her eye was removed. She continues to do USEF-rated jumpers. Isabella also performs training and exercise riding, ensuring each boarder’s horse is properly cared for.
“I strongly believe that when working with horses there needs to be mutual respect for one another. A ride should always end on a positive note. If it isn’t going well today, we still give our horse a cookie and try again tomorrow. You ride the horse that’s underneath you.”
CONTACT
774-271-2866
bdubois423@gmail.com
Cathy Languerand
ABOUT
Cathy is a lifelong Horsewoman whose mission has been to train, teach, share, and listen to horses. She’s able to instruct all levels of student riders and trains all types of horses including untouched, therapy, and performance horses. She focuses on effective and compassionate instruction and training, having spent the last ten years creating a curriculum for the next generation of horsemen and woman that addresses a greater sense of communication and understanding for both partners.
“I have spent the last forty years following this full-time passion as a student, an instructor, and a clinician. Now in my fourth decade of work, the “Do-no-Harm” ethics of being a Reiki Master has expanded my work into the physiology of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual balance for both horses and humans. By sharing an understanding of the empathic nature of horses, along with the science behind brain function and body language, I am able to assist any age student to deepen their partnership with their horse thereby helping them become a more skillful horse-person.”
Cathy has been an active member of the United States Pony Club, United States Eventing Association, Masters of Fox Hunting Association, Certified Horsemanship Association (Master Instructor English and Western), Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship Intl. Riding and Driving, a Reach Out to Horses Instructor with Anna Twinney, Bio Energetic Techniques with Dr. Regan Golob, and Irwin Insight Instructor Mounted, In-hand, and Driving with Chris Irwin.
RATES (HORSE AND INSTRUCTOR)
Beginner Lesson / Evaluation Ride (30 min ground, 30 min saddle): $65.00
Private Lesson (45 min saddle): $65.00
Private Lesson (30 min saddle): $50.00
Semi-private Lesson (60 min saddle): $50.00
*Discounts apply to boarders and leasers, call for details.
**45 min/30 min/semi-private lessons only available to riders capable of safely and independently grooming, tacking up, and cooling down their horse. A minimum of one Evaluation Ride is required prior to booking these lesson types.
***Instructor led trail rides only to those riders on a lesson plan.
CONTACT
203-509-3650
cmlmrc@aol.com
Tricia Babcock
ABOUT
Tricia Babcock has a lifetime of experience. English, Western, Jumping. All seats, all levels. From the backyard to the showring. She specializes in training problem horses and places an emphasis on nutrition, soundness, proper care of the horse, and proper fitting equipment.
“I have 54 years in the saddle and have ridden with some of the best, and still do. I’ve been a full time professional for 36 years and I show and ride all types, from jumpers, to saddle seat, to western. I have successfully competed in the Florida dressage arena and have done some judging as well. I have a keen eye for both horse and rider. Call or email me for more information!”
RATES
Contact Trish for current rates
CONTACT
ptrishbear@gmail.com
or
860-460-2505
The fine print
…bring this agreement with you on your first ride with us
Note: All trainers are independent subcontractors and are not employees of Silver Brook Stables. Horse only lease or rental (without instructor) is available through Silver Brook Stables. Contact 860-303-1766 for details.
All riders must…
– Wear long pants (jeans or durable leggings) and a heeled boot.
– Wear an ATSM/SEI helmet (available at no charge if you do not have your own).
– Additional ride time without instructors is available through Silver Brook Stables