Emma Rogers

Helping to instill confidence in horse and rider through correct and creative teaching

Emma grew up in Winchester, MA and Mount Desert, ME and started riding as a child.  She has successfully shown her QH mare, Ginger (though some know her as "Clueless"), throughout the northeast in English and Western pleasure for 10 years.  Emma is now training and showing Ginger's IBHA daughter, Berry, while Ginger excels in her new career as a lesson horse.  Emma has worked with Chuck Patti, one of New England's finest Paint Horse trainers, and Lynn Corrigan, John Lyons Certified Trainer.  Emma deeply admires and has been heavily influenced by the work of Sally Swift, John and Josh Lyons, Linda Tellington-Jones, Don Blazer, Alois Podhajsky, and Sylvia Loch.  She delights in continuing her education in everything horse related, believing that the best horsemen and women are life-long learners themselves.

Emma's teaching and training are classically based and focused on maintaining or improving the willingness of the horse to work with his human partner.  Above all, she trains from the heart, with genuine compassion for both horse and rider.  Emma believes in slow, methodical, consistent methods, as gimmicks and shortcuts are detrimental to the horse's wellbeing and rider's understanding and confidence.  She recognizes that the power of the human mind, our most important aid, is often neglected in riding instruction, especially with children.  She strives to cultivate cognitive as well as physical ability and awareness in her students through the use of visualization techniques, right brain-focused exercises, and emphasis on creativity.  Each lesson usually culminates in pattern work.  Emma's lesson program is not centered on competition, and students are encouraged to work at their own pace with no pressure to show.  Safety of the horse and rider are of paramount importance.  If desired, training and teaching may focus on refinement in Western or English equitation, pleasure, or trail.  Positive, supportive coaching at competition is offered.  In November 2008 Emma earned certification in Western and Hunt Seat on the Flat from the American Riding Instructor's Association.

Emma has danced consistently since age 3, most recently studying modern dance at the University of Vermont, where she was a member and director of the Orchesis Dance Company.  She brings a unique understanding of the human body to her riding instruction, as dance and riding complement each other with similar attention to balance, flexibility, controlled strength, creativity, and subtlety in body language.  During the summer of 2008 Emma danced with the Equine Dance Company, which combines horses, riders, and dancers on one stage for a truly distinctive performance. 

In addition to teaching, Emma's plans for 2009 include a week-long clinic with Centered Riding level IV instructor, Lucile Bump, a weekend clinic with Centered Riding level III instructor, Sarah Seidman, dancing and riding with the Equine Dance Company, accompanying students to local shows, competing at Autumnfest in Skowhegan, ME, updating her ARIA certification, attending the ARIA conference, and taking a weekly lesson herself.

Reasonable rates.  References upon request.

Help grooming and tacking up if needed included at no charge.  Questions and discussion in person or via phone or email welcomed and encouraged.  Study materials (books, video, handouts) offered.