Story Brook Stables Riding Lessons

Shellie has been riding since the age of six. She spent her youth training
        in New York and competing in A-rated hunter shows. She has trained
      with George Morris, Lisa Zinger, and Jimmy Wofford in jumping, Grand
     Prix dressage and cross-country jumping. She has studied and shown
           in dressage and now teaches up to 3rd level dressage in addition to
                 hunter jumpers. With an instructors certificate from Morven Park
               International Equestrian Institute, Shellie has established a strong
reputation over the years as one of the area’s most competent instructors.

During the school year, lessons are offered:
Monday through Friday 4:00-8:45 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
Hours expand in the summer.
Cost is $20/hour lesson, payable by cash or check upon arrival for each lesson.

Occasionally, when time permits, private and semi-private lessons are available at rates up to $35/hour.
Gift certificates for riding lessons are available for birthday and holiday gift giving.

To schedule a lesson or for more information, call Cyndi Nace at (724) 223-9229.

Students enjoy riding together in groups of three to six riders.
Emphasis is placed on safety while
having fun and learning to ride either English or Western.
New students are accepted daily and placed in groups at their age and/or level of ability.
Most students ride at least once a week and continue year round.

A FEW RULES:

Riders must wear ASTM-approved riding helmets, boots or shoes with at least a ½” heel, and long pants. The first few lessons, Story Brook Stables can provide the helmet; after that, riders are asked to bring their own approved riding helmets (not bike helmets).

Riders are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes early for their lessons, and those who are capable are asked to tack up their own horses and be ready to ride on time.

Any cancellations or changes, no matter what the reason, must be made at least 24 hours in advance. If a cancellation is made fewer than 24 hours ahead, there is a $10 fee. If a rider cancels fewer than three hours before or doesn’t show up, he is responsible for the entire lesson fee, regardless of the reason.

Story Brook Stables employs a unique program of children helping children. As children gain competency in their riding and handling of horses, they can become “riding assistants,” helping the instructor in all areas from grooming and tacking up to assisting the younger children in their lessons. This type of “apprenticeship” program provides valuable learning experience as well as the opportunity to help others and share a love of horses. More experienced riding assistants can earn free riding and instruction.

Most lessons take place in the 125’x230’ outdoor arena except after dark and in inclement weather, when riding moves to the 80’x100’ indoor arena, which has a heated lounge.

Students interested in showing can rent the school horses and tack to take to local shows, accompanied by their instructors.

Sue is one of the area's most well-repected hunter-jumper trainers and instructors. She spent most of her life on the back of a horse, excelling in the show ring in disciplines ranging from stock seat to hunt seat riding. She enjoys working with riders who share the goal of entering and excelling in the show ring. She is very active in the 4-H program and in planning and organizing local hunter-jumper shows.

       Cindy specializes in teaching balanced seat/English saddle with emphasis
on dressage and work on the flat. She is certified by the British Horse Society
                   (BHS) up to Stage Two for jumping up to 2'3". She also has her BHS
   Preliminary Teaching Certification. With a bachelor's degree from Penn State
            University in Individual and Family Development and Counceling, Cindy
            headed to New York to pursue her career and discovered the renowned
Claremont Riding Academy in the heart of the city. She rode and trained there
     extensively before accepting a position in Folkstone, England, as a working
     student/instructor. She later accepted a position as an assistant instuctor in
     the United Arab Emirates before coming back to the United States to further
          her training and to instruct and serve as winter barn manager in Gorham,
    Maine. In 2002, she returned to her childhood home in Upper St. Clair and is
               enjoying teaching beginner to intermediate students the joys of riding.