Foxhill Equestrian Centre
Lessons
Join the Foxhill Equestrian Show Team!
Foxhill Equestrian Centre provides beginner rider programs as well as private lessons in hunter, jumper, dressage and classical equitation for all levels and ages.
We strongly emphasize the importance of flat work and clear communication between horse and rider.
Our Coaches
Rachael
Beginner Program Coach
Rachael Bakker started riding at the age of 7 and trained under Isabelle Gisborn, mother of hunter/jumper coach Peter Gisborn. It was during these lessons that Rachael realized her love for horses grew deeper than riding.
Rachael's experience with equine behaviour started with her own mare, Olivia, a sensitive Trakehner needing a quiet and confident rider. With these specific needs, Rachael learned to understand the importance of compassion and it's unique ability to quiet the minds of young and sensitive horses through classical equitation and ground work with her coach, Josef Thauer, also German Prix de St. George rider with an incredible historical training past with the German military.
Rachael's love in working with horses led her to become a foal starter and yearling trainer for Canada's leading Standardbred breeding stable, Cool Creek Farm. Her solid relationship and deep connection with the young horses resonated through the Standardbred industry. Her ability to keep horses calm at Standardbred auctions caught the attention of many horse owners and trainers. Her connection with these young horses made her a household name as a yearling trainer.
After deciding that her contribution to the racing industry was not favourable to the horses, Rachael attended the University of Guelph earning a double major in Nutrition & Nutraceutical and Microbiological Sciences. It is at this point that Rachael's majors stemmed back into equines and later fulfilling her equine program with her electives. Rachael continued her studies with the University of Edinburgh in Andvanced Equine Nutritional Sciences.
Rachael's love for understanding, knowledge and experience can be demonstrated in the way that horses interact with her. She is passionate on showing others how they can create clear communication with their horse.
She is a follower of Ray Hunt, Mary Wanless, Jane Savoie and the Spanish Riding School of Vienna.
Joyce
Dressage Coach
Sherrie Lee
Hunter/Jumper Coach
Beginner Rider Lesson Program- All Ages
The Beginner Rider Lesson Program is a weekly program for 6 weeks. The program is conducted privately on a one-on-one basis with each rider. The program educates new riders on the following:
Week 1: Introduction to horses.
Learn how an equine facility operates; how, what and why we feed our horses certain types of food; learn how to "muck" a stall and be able to identify the different types of poisonous and non-poisonous forages found in pastures and hay fields.
Week 2: Horse and Rider Communication.
Learn how to communicate with horses through handling and body gestures by using body language. This week we strongly concentrate on handling safety and how clear body language can keep a handler safe.
Week 3: Getting to know your horse.
Getting to know your horse is an important step for strengthening the relationship. A great way to do this is through grooming. This is a day dedicated on learning how to groom a horse.
Week 4: Getting ready to ride.
Every rider must understand their equipment, how to fit it and how to properly clean it. Today we learn about tack as well as the anatomy of the horse by identifying organs and certain muscles. Understanding horse anatomy allows us to avoid injuries to our horse by properly fitting tack for our horses .
Week 5: In the Ring.
Ground work with horses is the most important step in riding and training a horse for the riding ring. On this day, learn how to walk, halt and safely navigate your horse through a course on the lead-line. Introduction to driving aids on the groumd will be discussed and how they apply while mounted on the horse.
Week 6: Introduction to Riding.
Today is the day where all of the previous weeks come into perspective. Learn how to safely mount your horse, understanding the concept of "feeling" the horse's mouth when holding the reins and study the "feel" of the horse's muscles in motion while mounted.
The Beginner Rider Lesson Program is $150.00 for 6 sessions. ($25.00 per lesson)
After completing the Beginner Rider Program, riders may enter into regular private lessons.
Joyce Cameron began her competitive riding career as a child attending local jumper and dressage shows. In 2001 she put her focus on dressage and represented Canada at the North American Junior and Young Riders Championships, held at Paxton Farm in Cincinnati, Ohio. The following years she competed at the Young Riders level as well as trained and showed many young prospects. In 2005 Joyce purchased Mardi Gras, with him she has advanced through the levels and is currently competing him Grand Prix. They have had several highlights already, including winning the PSG at the Blainville International Classic and showing at the Royal Winter Fair. In 2010 Mardi Gras was the CWHBA dressage horse of the year. Joyce is certified by the National Coaching Certification Program and an Equine Canada 'r' rated Dressage judge.
1 hr private lesson
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$70
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$85 on lesson horse
1 hr semi-private lesson
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$55
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$70 on lesson horse
Sherrie Lee Hawley has shown on the hunter and jumper circuit ever since the age of twelve. In 1972 she made the switch to focus on the big jumper classes.
Sherrie later coached Jennifer Foster to many Junior Jumper championships at the Royal Winter Fair and around the province of Ontario. Jennifer went on to represent Canada in the Olympic Games.
Sherrie Lee’s first mentor was Olympian Kathy Kusner. Sherrie Lee lived at Millarbrooke and received instruction from Ian Millar on a daily basis. She won a Grand Prix at Dwyer Hill Farms beating Ian Millar and Hugh Graham. Sherrie trained all her horses from their first X up to the Open Jumpers and competed with them in World Cup competition. One of her horses, Stardust Mel, was ridden on the Canadian Equestrian Team by Ian Millar in just his third year of jumping. He cleared 6’9” in the Puissance at Madison Square Garden and also won the Puissance at the Ottawa Fall Show.
Sherrie has shown all over North America. In the season she showed in California she was never placed less than Reserve Champion in the Intermediate and Open jumpers.
With her exceptional knowledge and experience, Sherrie Lee is a great believer in impeccable flat work and works hard with her students to promote good position of the rider and improve the jumping abilities of the horses she works with.
1 hr private lesson
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$50
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$65 with lesson horse
1.25 hr semi-private lesson
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$40
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$55 with lesson horse
1.25 hr group lesson, 3-4 students
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$35
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$50 with lesson horse