What should be worn to riding lessons?

It is very important for safety reasons to wear an ankle-high boot with a smooth sole and a 1/2 inch heel. Do not wear a hiking-boot type sole as it may get caught in the stirrup. The low heel keeps the boot from sliding all the way through the stirrup. Boots may be lace-up, zipper, or elastic. A sneaker can slide all the way through the stirrup, and also does not offer adequate protection if a horse should step on the rider's foot.

Helmets must fit properly. You will need to purchase your own helmet within a month of starting lessons. A poorly fitting helmet can cause serious problems. When you have the helmet on, it should not be possible to pull it down over the eyes. We recommend the "Aegis" helmets, which have an adjustment in the back so that they will fit any head and will grow with your child. For very small children, the adjustable helmet is not the best option- you'll want to buy a size 6 1/2 helmet, or an EXTRA SMALL rather than the "small" adjustable one. Annalisa also has plenty of catalogs for all of these items, just ask and you may take the catalogs home and keep them.

Riders must wear full-length pants, never shorts or capri pants. We strongly recommend riding pants ("Kentucky Jodhpurs"), which are long pants with a bell-bottom and straps that go under the boots. Please keep the straps on the pants at all times! The straps keep the pants from riding up on the leg and chafing.

Local tack shops:

Fletcher's J Bar S: 1209 W 40 Hwy in Blue Springs, (816)229-9829

Horse Hardware, Overland Park, (913) 897-3173,151st St. and 69 Hwy, behind the QT gas station close to Jalapeno's mexican restaurant (7807 W 151ST ST, Overland Park);

Tractor Supply is on Highway 50 in Lee's Summit, and carries some basic horsey items such as helmets as well as grooming supplies and horse treats. Please call Tractor Supply at 816-525-9457 and tell them you'd like to purchase riding boots and Kentucky jodhpurs from them so they'll increase their inventory!

National Bridle Shop online: www.NationalBridleShop.com;

Hartmeyers online: Hartmeyers has some very small sizes for very young riders

WANT TO DO SOME HORSEY GIFT SHOPPING? Check out:

The American Saddlebred Museum gift shop

Wild Horsefeathers

Back in the Saddle

WE HAVE SOME USED/OUTGROWN RIDING CLOTHES AT THE BARN!
CHECK WITH ANNALISA! Inventory changes frequently-

AVAILABLE NOW:

Lots of boots- from very small to a ladies' 7

Several dress shirts with ties for horse shows

Several pairs of riding pants

PLEASE BRING IN YOUR USED/OUTGROWN RIDING CLOTHING AND WE CAN RESELL IT FOR YOU!

Is it better to take private lessons or groups?

There are benefits to private lessons, and benefits to group lessons. The ideal schedule is one private and one group lesson per week. In private lessons, the student receives intense individual attention and will progress more rapidly in many areas. However, group lessons are also very beneficial, as the rider must be able to steer around other riders and control the horse in a group. It is also very helpful to watch other riders, and the students in groups learn quite a bit from each other as well. Riders who are interested in showing need to ride in a group as that is what they'll do in the show ring, and they must be able to maneuver around the other horses.

Why should we consider riding in horse shows?

Riding in shows gives students goals to work toward. Riders focus much better in their lessons, pay better attention, and work harder with a horse show in mind. Showing is not about winning blue ribbons, but it is about working for your own personal best; learning to win and lose graciously; learning to root for your teammates; learning to come back from a disappointing defeat; learning to climb to greater heights; achieving a close teamwork relationship with a horse; conquering fears of performing in front of an audience; and much, much more. Showing is a vehicle for building self-esteem and self-confidence. Those who show learn that hard work pays off! And kids get to learn valuable life lessons doing something they love to do.

What do we need if we want to show?

We take our lesson horses to local shows to show in the "Academy" division. Academy is a division for school horses and riders who are just starting to show. To show in Academy, you need dark-colored riding pants (Kentucky jodhpurs) and Jodhpur boots and a shirt, tie, and vest. These items can be found at the same tack shops listed above. The shirt is a dress shirt like an oxford and can be purchased anywhere; the tie is a men's tie. The vest should fit VERY well, not be baggy or loose. Color is great! For your girl, try to find a colorful, fun tie in bright or pastel colors. Extra length on the tie can be cut off if necessary; you'll find more selection in men's ties than in boys' ties. Let Annalisa help you with the tie; we simply tie it at the narrower part and tuck the extra length into the pants.

If you are ready to go beyond the Academy division, you will need a riding suit. One good way to buy your first suit is to fax your measurements to one of the consignment used-suit shops, where you can get a beautiful custom-made suit for consignment prices (about $600-$2000). These shops are: My Trainer's Closet (www.MyTrainersCloset.com), and Saddle Seat Connection (www.SaddleseatConnection.com), and The Good Habit, run by Martha Pope, 12606 Saint Claire Dr., Louisville, KY, (502) 253-0618

What is the Youth Club all about?

The youth club is a fun place for kids to learn more about horses and develop friendships. The Youth Club meets about once a month, and does all kinds of activities, some educational and some just fun. Youth Club meetings are open to our riders and their friends and siblings- feel free to bring extra kids! (The Youth Club does not involve riding.) Most of the time we meet at the barn; sometimes we go on field trips. Moms are welcome to participate, or to drop the riders off for a few hours. Feel free to bring snacks if you like. When we do field trips, we carpool, so we need moms willing to drive.