Riding Lesson Information
Riding lessons at TNT are tailored to the goals of each student, whether you are a beginner or an advanced rider, young or young at heart! Children and adult riders often have very different needs, they also find different aspects of riding rewarding. At TNT, we cater to the needs of the adult rider in particular. More than 75% of our students are ladies age 20 - 60 who are new to riding or returning after an extended absence. Many of them were surprised to learn that they weren’t alone in their pursuit of a dream they had tucked away in their hearts since childhood.
Our #1 goal at TNT is to help you achieve your goals. Your goal might be to feel safe and secure enough to truly enjoy each ride on your horse, whether in the arena or on the trail. Or your goals might include competing in dressage, owning your own horse, or becoming more fit and active. The goals I most often hear from my students are that they want to become a better rider for their horse’s benefit, they want to overcome fears that are disrupting their enjoyment of riding, or that they desire their relationship with their horse to be a partnership based on mutual communication, trust, and respect. All of the goals I’ve just listed are the objectives of Classical Training - the foundation of our riding and training program at TNT.
How do I begin?
All new riders at TNT need to begin with at least one series (5 lessons) of private lessons. Beginner riders will remain in private lessons until they can safely and confidently control a horse, on their own, at a walk and a trot while also maintaining an adequately independent seat. This will take a minimum of 10 private lessons, sometimes more. After which time, riders can join a group if they prefer or they can choose to remain in private lessons. Children often enjoy group lessons more than private, when they are ready, but adults are often surprised to find that they too get a lot out of riding in a group. The self-consciousness disappears as they realize other adults struggle with the same issues. Private lunge line lessons are invaluable, however, especially in the beginning.
Lesson Prices
Private Lessons
45 min. Private Lessons (Weekly lesson discount) = $36/lesson ($180 for 5)
Private lessons can begin at any time. Call 330-461-2318 for available times. Group Lessons
Classical Dressage (Intermediate-Advanced)
Lunge "Seat" Lessons
All beginners and new students need to begin with private lessons.
Lessons must be scheduled and paid for at the beginning of each month.
A greater discount is applied to board + lessons packages when taking lessons on student's own horse.
1 hour Lesson = $25/Hour*
*All lessons for each month are required to be paid for at the beginning of each month. Otherwise cost for each group lesson is $30/hour.
Group lessons include 3-5 riders of similar skill levels. For specific times and to enroll call (330) 461-2318 or email tntequestrian@aol.com.
Balanced Seat Riding (Beginner I - Intermediate I)
New students will begin by learning a balanced and centered position on the horse. Beginning students are taught in an english saddle as it requires a better balance from the rider than a typical western saddle, however, the principles learned are very applicable to correct western riding. Riders will be taught effective use of their aids (control of the horse). Students are expected (once taught) to groom and tack their own horse. Horsemanship skills and basic horse care are a big part of the learning experience. Riders will enjoy a wide variety of horse activities in order that they may become well rounded riders. As they progress, they will ride outside, on trail, over ground poles and crossrails, play games and do gymkhana.
Learn to ride in harmony with your horse! Classical Dressage will improve any horse/rider team, regardless of preferred discipline! Riders, want to be an asset to your horse rather than a hindrance? Classical dressage will teach you how to ride from a deep seat with a balanced and centered position - a very strong position that gives the rider greater control while being less of a burden to the horse. Classical Dressage is the "how to" of horse training - with a thorough understanding of Classical Dressage, you will be able to improve any training difficulty you have with your horse! Come give it a try!
Riders of all disciplines will improve their equitation by learning a balanced and relaxed position on the horse. All riding disciplines advocate a classical position on the flat and a balanced forward seat for jumping and galloping. This correct position can only be learned with the help of a schooled horse on the lunge line. As the rider progresses, he/she will be able to give far clearer aids to their horse, eliminating much confusion. Many riders are hurried into imitating the form of an advanced rider when they haven't yet learned to balance on the moving horse. When this happens the rider must grip to stay on, which causes tension in the horse and muddled aids from the rider. Very often, students solve what they believe were "training problems" simply by correcting their riding problems.
Choosing an Instructor:
TNT Instructors:
Please call (330) 461 - 2318 for more information or email at tntequestrian@aol.com.
When looking for an instructor it's very important to check out the instructor's qualifications. As there is no mandatory licensing for horse professionals in this country anyone can "hang out a sign". Experience and a high concern for safety are of utmost importance. Also, someone who has true professional training (years-long apprenticeship under a recognized master or several) will provide the student with the most correct instruction; greatly increasing the students safety, understanding, and progress.
Shannon Edgar - Owner, Head Trainer/Instructor 
Shannon Edgar has 12+ years of experience teaching and training students and horses of all levels. She spent 4 years as an apprentice of Robert Mayer at the Robert Mayer Riding Academy. As such, she received thousands of hours of formal lessons in riding, teaching, and training from Robert Mayer. Robert Mayer is certified by the British Horse Society and the Federation Nationale (Germany). Taught in the tradition of the Spanish Riding School, he passes that tradition on to his apprentices. In preparation for USDF certification she has participated in teaching/training clinics with Lilo Fore - international judge, trainer, and rider.