What is the difference between a riding instructor and a trainer?
Trainers work with horses and people. They can hop on a horse that is misbehaving or work with horses with behavior problems. Trainers often have an extensive show record and are skilled riders at high levels in their chosen discipline. Trainers often stick to a specific discipline – Western, Dressage, Hunters, Jumpers, etc. Trainers often give lessons, but usually do not have lesson horses for students to ride.
Riding Instructors usually focus on teaching the rider. They often teach beginner to intermediate lessons on school horses that the riders don’t own. They, too, can specialize in a specific discipline, but many of them can teach across disciplines too. Instructors usually love working with people and enjoy the teaching aspect of the job. They often own or have access to school horses who are calm and well-trained.
At Winding Brook, we have both trainers AND instructors. Our trainers work mostly with people who own or lease horses, and they schedule their own lessons. Our instructors have access to school horses and schedule lessons through the barn. If you have any questions about our trainers or instructors, don’t hesitate to ask!
Chasidy Perry
Chasidy Perry is a graduate of Becker College and holds a BS in Equine Studies. She is working towards her Licensed Riding Instructor in Massachusetts, which involves 60 hours of apprenticeship and a grueling exam that covers Riding Theory, Safety, General Equine Health, Laws and Regulations, Physiology, and Anatomy.
Chasidy competed on the Becker College IHSA Hunt equitation team in college and quickly branched out into the western disciplines of gymkhana, ranch, trail, and western pleasure. Her teaching philosophy is based upon a balanced seat approach that sets the rider up for a solid foundation in any discipline. Chasidy excels at building confidence in the saddle and loves sharing her passion for horses with all levels of riders.
Chasidy’s current project is an adorable green pony named Gemma, who is boarded at WBF and is a staff favorite. Gemma is working hard to learn her basics under saddle, and Chasidy’s systematic, clear approach is a perfect fit for Gemma’s mischievous personality.
Lesson Policies
We have a limited lesson program at Winding Brook, which allows us to give each student individualized attention and allows our lesson horses to live healthy, stress-free lives.
All riders are required to sign a Liability Release form, wear a properly-fitting ASTM/SEI approved helmet, and wear appropriate footwear when in the barn, around horses, and/or mounted. Closed-toe shoes or boots must cover the ankle, enclose the foot, have a 1” heel and be securely fastened.
All riders must wear appropriate, well-fitting clothing which is appropriate for the weather. No shorts or sneakers. Shirts are required.
Riders must show up 15 minutes early to prepare their horse for the lesson. Riders must also expect to stay 15 minutes after their lesson to appropriately cool out their horse, put tack away and return their horse to its stall.
Please announce yourself (“Door!”) when leaving or entering the arena or barn. Wait for confirmation before entering or leaving.
If you do not own your own helmet, we have some that you can borrow. Helmets are disinfected after every use.
Always ask questions -- if you are not sure about something, don’t assume. Just ask! We are here to help and we want you to have fun while learning how to ride.
One Time Trial Lesson: $85
Individuals wishing to try riding may do a one-time private lesson without the commitment of an entire month. This is great for parents wishing to find out if their child is ready for the lesson program, or the adult who has riding a horse once on their “bucket list.” Trial lessons include 15 minutes of assistance tacking up, a 30-minute private lesson, and 15 minutes of untacking under the supervision of the instructor. If the rider joins our lesson program, the $85 can be applied to a lesson package.
Beginner lessons ($300 for 4 lessons a month)
Beginners who cannot tack up alone and leadline riders must sign up for private lessons. Once riders are off the leadline and can tack up alone, they can move to semi-private lessons. Beginner private lessons include 15 minutes of assistance tacking up, a 30-minute lesson, and 15 minutes of untacking under the supervision of the instructor.
Private lessons ($300 for 4 lessons a month)
Private lessons are for riders who are independent. These lessons consist of 60 minutes of instruction and do not include supervision during the tacking up process.
Semi-private lessons ($260 for 4 lessons a month)
Semi-private lessons are offered when the instructor has two riders at the same level who can ride at the same time. These lessons consist of 60 minutes of instruction and do not include supervision during the tacking up process.
In order for a rider to sign up for private or semi-private lessons, the rider must:
Demonstrate understanding of and adherence to barn rules and regulations
Tack and untack correctly and safely
Lead the horse to and from the arena safely
Check and adjust the girth and stirrup leathers
Mount and dismount without assistance
Halt, walk, and trot at least one lap of the arena in balanced form
Be confident enough not to need an instructor right beside them
Have the approval of the instructor
Lesson Policies
Lessons must be paid by Venmo on the first of the month. We do not send out invoices. No refunds are given for missed lessons, but a makeup lesson can be used one time a month. There is a late fee of $25 if lesson payment is received after the 5th of the month. If payment is not received by the 6th of the month, your lesson spot will be forfeited to the waiting list.
Qualify for a makeup lesson by cancelling 24 hours before the lesson time. Qualified makeups must be scheduled by the last day of each month or are forfeited.
Makeup lessons are scheduled based on the instructor’s availability and are done on a specific makeup evening scheduled by the instructor. If you cannot schedule around the instructor’s makeup time, you will forfeit the lesson.
No show or late cancellations are counted as a ridden lesson with no makeup provided.
Limit of one makeup lesson per month
NO rescheduling of a scheduled makeup lesson-you will forfeit the lesson.
NO financial reimbursement will be given for missed lessons.
To book a lesson with her or to get on her waiting list, please call or text Chasidy
