You're sitting in the saddle and your horse feels disconnected beneath you. The transitions are rough and your seat bounces with every stride instead of moving with the horse. Full Cry Farm Dressage teaches private and semi-private dressage lessons for riders at every level in Stonelick.
Why You Can Trust Us
Classical dressage training builds on centuries of proven methods that develop both horse and rider together. You'll recognize it by the emphasis on correct position, timing of aids, and gradual development of movements. The horse moves forward freely while staying connected to your hand through a soft contact. Real dressage feels effortless once you understand the principles.
Right now you're probably gripping with your legs and pulling on the reins to get your horse to listen. Every ride feels like work instead of partnership. Your horse gets tense when you ask for more collection or a flying change. Other riders at your barn seem to make it look easy while you struggle with the same movements week after week.
Leslie McDonald starts every student with position work on the longe line to establish an independent seat. Full Cry Farm Dressage builds your timing through specific exercises that teach when to apply aids and when to release. Leslie guides you through proper preparation for each movement so your horse understands what you're asking. The lessons include work on school horses if you don't have your own mount, and semi-private options let you learn alongside one other rider at your level.
You'll feel your horse's back come up underneath you during transitions. Your aids become whisper-light while getting bigger responses. The flying changes happen when you think them instead of when you fight for them. You and your horse will move as one unit through movements that used to feel impossible.
Our process
- 1Position assessment on the longeYou ride without stirrups while Leslie watches your seat and leg position from the ground
- 2Basic aid timingLeslie teaches you when to apply leg, seat, and rein aids for each movement
- 3Horse response developmentYou practice getting clear reactions from your horse to lighter aids
- 4Movement buildingLeslie guides you through proper preparation and execution of transitions and figures
Why Choose Us
- USDF Gold, Silver and Bronze medalist instructor with 50 years experience
- Classical training principles from Training Level through FEI
- Private and semi-private lessons only - no large groups
- School horses available for riders without their own mount
Your horse doesn't respond to your aids the way you see in the videos. You're fighting for every movement instead of dancing together. Your instructor keeps saying the same corrections but you can't feel what needs to change.
Our team
USDF Gold, Silver and Bronze medalist with over 50 years professional teaching experience. She has trained and successfully competed 5 horses to the Grand Prix level and enjoys working with all levels of riders, particularly those new to dressage.
Frequently asked questions
Do you offer lessons if I don't have my own horse?
Yes. Our lessons include work on school horses if you don't have your own mount, so you can learn the classical principles regardless of horse ownership.
What's the difference between private and semi-private lessons?
Private lessons are one-on-one instruction, while semi-private options let you learn alongside one other rider at your level. Both focus on classical dressage principles and proper position development.
Do you teach riders just starting out, or only advanced competitors?
We teach private and semi-private dressage lessons for riders at every level. Leslie McDonald starts every student with position work on the longe line to establish an independent seat, regardless of experience.