[Above/Right]This beautiful silhouette photograph is of student Alexa Civittolo riding Alex. Alexa "Lexi," age 12, is currently working on her equitation on railwork and patterns. A very focused student, she is learning more about communicating with the horse through her seat, legs, and hands.  She is new to the 'flat' saddle, or saddle seat saddle, so she is working on forming her saddle seat position in the saddle during her lessons. We hope she will continue with saddle seat as she progresses!

Alexa has a great attitude and is very polite. She plans to continue to be involved with horses throughout her high school and college years. Alexa is considering finding a school where she can continue in sports and in equestrian programs as well. Lexi has recently volunteered her time at the barn to learn more about the care of horses.

Polly Kozma, adult student, has made continuous improvement since she started lessons. A past rider in her youth, she has come back to riding as a hobby and enjoys her lessons on Alex, and now Sparky. Polly is advancing quickly, and is a strong rider, physically and mentally. She has some natural 'feel' for riding, which helps her a lot. Keep up the good work Polly!

Polly Kozma is shown above cantering on Sparky (Sparks Afire), our intermediate lesson horse. Polly is currently working on cantering and riding with two sets of reins in preparation for riding saddle seat in the future. Sparky is a hunter, which traditionally wears a snaffle and one rein, but we allow students who are advanced enough to try out holding 2 reins in each hand on a lesson horse like him (he doesn't mind). This allows a student to practice on a calmer horse, rather than being thrown into 2 reins (full bridle) on a saddle seat horse too soon. The concept of a full bridle is complicated, and must be understood slowly over time.

Alyssa Buttolph, age 9, began lessons recently. She is very outgoing and loves animals. She and her dad, Ray, enjoy their time at the barn, and Alyssa says she plans to do something with animals as a career later on.	Alyssa is very smart and witty for her age! Yvonne has fun teaching her. She is learning the beginning stages of saddle seat riding, and is working on posting and trotting. Keep up the good work girl!

Jessie Stevens takes riding lessons on Alex. She has made a lot of improvement with her position since she started at our stable, and we're proud of her. She also owns a Mini named "Chip" who was recently in for training. We improved his ground manners and broke him to drive a Mini cart. We hope she enjoys having him back home, and enjoys continuing her riding and driving lessons throughout the year.

What barn doesn't have a rotten little pony!? We are no exception. No, we do love our miniature horse, Duke. We offer Mini Driving lessons for the young and the young-at-heart. This is a great way for a new/nervous person to be involved with horses without being intimidated by size. A Mini Driving lesson is a great gift for anyone! Shown here is Nancy Rodman driving Duke with ease.	Duke takes it all very seriously, and would appreciate it if you would too.

Adult student Yvonne Shaw enjoys her lessons on Alex. Yvonne is working on building her confidence and skill level, and she and Alex get along very well. Yvonne is the only person Y. Rodman has ever met who shares her name! Yvonne and her husband Ralph live nearby and have horses at home as well.	Yvonne started riding with Yvonne this year. She has made a lot of improvement since the winter! This fall she will be working on learning to canter, and possible riding a different lesson horse as well.

Cyndy Zarley is one of our new students.  She has been riding with me for a couple months and has made a lot of improvement in a short time. She recently participated in our group lesson, and had to priviledge to ride Black, the western Morgan. She did very well and we are proud. Cyndy owns a spotted TWH called 'Jack.' She boards him near her home.	Pictured here is Alex, our most prized beginner riding and driving horse, in his harness and carriage. Not only does he serve as our most reliable lessons horse, but he pulls his carriage with ease likes to show off at Equine Affaire in Columbus.