Western Training

Asheville, NC

Come Ride with the Colorado Cowgirl in WNC!

Looking for western riding lessons near Asheville? I run a mid-size youth program, including weekly youth group lessons. I am also an excellent fit for adult riders building confidence or getting to know a new horse partner. My program offers an informal and fun learning environment focused on gymkhana, trail, and ranch riding. I place a strong emphasis on horsemanship, including all aspects of owning & caring for horses. We have a limited number of lesson horses available, and strongly encourage haul-ins!

Who am I?

Hi, I'm Alex! Originally a North Carolinian, I spent the last 5 years honing my western horsemanship "out west" in Fort Collins, Colorado. I rode for a 100-head Quarter Horse breeding & training ranch. I grew a mid-size youth riding lesson program there, and have successfully coached youth from their first shows to 4H State Finals in western showing & gymkhana. I also specialized in helping adults grow their confidence & build their fitness to improve their horses partnerships. In addition to teaching, I helped ride and sell consignment horses. This allowed me to gain experience with ranch cowhorses, reiners, ropers, and barrel horses, plus lots of lesson, family, and trail horses. I'm fortunate enough to be returning home to WNC, now bringing direct western riding experience from Colorado ranch life.

My program goals:

I believe strongly in having my students learn an all-around intro to everything western riding. My students learn to coach their horse on the trail, through reining patterns, around the barrels, while swinging a rope, and even over simple cross-rails. I place a strong emphasis on constantly improving balance, timing, and feel, which helps my students & their horses gain improved confidence and connection. As a former teacher, I value explaining the "whys" behind horse behavior & different training approaches. My role is to be the translator between you and your horse, setting clear boundaries through consistent communication, both on the ground and under saddle. We learn a lot of life lessons through our work at the barn, guided my core cowgirl/cowboy principle of approaching every situation with Grace and Grit!

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