A Unique Approach to Teaching, Open to All Riding Disciplines
Learn to ride with knowledge rather than luck.
At its bare minimum, the goal of each clinic is to get each rider and horse riding better than when they arrived. That's it.
It might seem simple, but each rider brings along their own unique challenges and issues to work through that often are overlooked in traditional clinics that take a group through pre-planned and ridged exercises. Those issues can hinder progress and cause riders to leave a clinic frustrated because they didn't improve the way they wanted to.
Instead, Lellie's system is based on helping riders learn to keep their horse in balance, straight, and supple. Riders should come prepared to ride in the first flat lesson to develop basic concepts and techniques that can often be overlooked. The individual lessons allow Lellie to analyze and work with each rider set to lay the foundation for their successful participation in group sessions later on.
Jumping sessions come after the flatwork foundation is laid. Groups are kept small to continue the individualized attention for each pairing. Every aspect of the clinic is based on building blocks. Flatwork lays the foundation for stadium jumping. Techniques taught in a stadium course then can be applied directly out on the cross-country field. By breaking progress down into building blocks, Lellie is able to ensure that each rider feels accomplished at the end of every clinic. It is all about getting the horse and rider to the next level, whatever that looks like for them.
A full clinic weekend includes more than just mounted sessions. In order to reach the next level, a RIDE BETTER clinic includes theory so that riders can not only address the problem, but they can learn to address the why and the how to. Knowledge and understanding are how riders improve, not luck.
Make your time worthwhile. You choose how much you want to ride. Lellie likes to provide power point presentations to the riders each day to introduce and review concepts used in the day's teaching. These unmounted sessions are hugely beneficial in teaching the rider how to communicate with their horse using specific parts of their bodies. Sessions can be filmed, reviewed, and analyzed upon request. This has been an invaluable feature of previous clinics and lessons as riders can make notes to take home to facilitate and increase understanding.
Book a RIDE BETTER clinic today to achieve a safe, balanced, controlled, confident and fun ride for all levels. You will leave a better rider with tools to continue improving your relationship with your horse in a way that will allow you to successfully move up to the next level.
Rider Success Stories
These attendees share their perspective on how they've learned to RIDE BETTER with Lellie's help.
Laura Quarles
"I can’t count the enormous number of riders who have come to Lellie’s RIDE BETTER clinics at Stono River Stable/Farm who have become better riders and horsemen for life, myself included. The lessons are all varied, customized to the horses and riders for what they need at the moment to attain their goals. I have never met a more talented and effective instructor and I’ve been around a long time. All I can say is go to every clinic and lesson you can because horsemen/instructors like this are a rare find."
Theresa Ferg
Student
“If you want to ride better NOW then Lellie is the trainer for it. I've been Eventing for nine years, and successfully completed through Preliminary, but we have never been able to gallop well. I had to take several years off for work, and I'm starting to get back into it, and in one lesson Lellie taught me a technique to gallop calmly and straight. It's not magic fairy dust. It's a lot of work, but if you have a difficult horse or you want to be a better horse person, or you want to move up she has a lot of experience to draw from.”
Joy Rabne
Student
“ I love Lellie’s classical riding/teaching style and I’m so thankful to be able to have an opportunity to take a lesson with someone so knowledgeable and detail oriented... Her passion to teach is undoubtedly fierce and her ability to push a student to reach their full potential is unparalleled... Limitless thanks to Lellie Ward and the horses at Paradise Farm who taught me, and continue to teach me to RIDE BETTER!”
Can't Wait for a Clinic?
Start your RIDE BETTER adventure today with online learning opportunities.
Upcoming Clinics
Join a clinic in a location near you or reach out and Lellie can bring a RIDE BETTER clinic to your farm- limited dates remaining!
Evergreen/ Larkspur/ Parker, CO
RIDE BETTER Lessons
April 19 & 21, 2024
Lellie will be available for lessons before and after Spring Gulch horse trials where she will be judging. Reach out to her directly to schedule a lesson!
Warfield Park, Billings, MT
RIDE BETTER Clinic Series #2
May 10 & 11, 2024
Saturday each clinic participant will have a private 1 hour lesson with an informational dinner to follow.
Sunday morning riders will be in groups of 4 for stadium jumping in the morning, followed by an informational session over lunch. Groups will school cross country in the afternoon in groups of four, or additional stadium schooling depending on rider and group preference.
Auditors welcome!
Warfield Park members can audit for free
$50/day for non WP members (includes unmounted sessions and educational materials)
Warfield Park, Billings, MT
RIDE BETTER Clinic Series #3
June 8 & 9, 2024
Saturday each clinic participant will have a private 1 hour lesson with an informational dinner to follow.
Sunday morning riders will be in groups of 4 for stadium jumping in the morning, followed by an informational session over lunch. Groups will school cross country in the afternoon in groups of four, or additional stadium schooling depending on rider and group preference.
Auditors welcome!
Warfield Park members can audit for free
$50/day for non WP members (includes unmounted sessions and educational materials)
Wyarno, WY
RIDE BETTER Clinic
July 17-31, 2024
Join Lellie at her new Paradise West venue for an intensive riding clinic. This clinic is open to all levels and consists of individual lessons as well as group jumping sessions. Try all the new cross country combinations to challenge both you and your horse. Or work with Lellie to find solutions to challenges you face with your horse. More information on the clinic flyer.
Warfield Park, Billings, MT
RIDE BETTER Clinic Series #4
August 10 & 11, 2024
Saturday each clinic participant will have a private 1 hour lesson with an informational dinner to follow.
Sunday morning riders will be in groups of 4 for stadium jumping in the morning, followed by an informational session over lunch. Groups will school cross country in the afternoon in groups of four, or additional stadium schooling depending on rider and group preference.
Auditors welcome!
Warfield Park members can audit for free
$50/day for non WP members (includes unmounted sessions and educational materials)