Burch, Helaine / Riding Instructor in Mechanicsville, Maryland

Semi-retired trainer and lesson program manager, now taking limited amount of students in an effort to "fill the gap" for those who own their own horse(s) and want a trainer to come to their home barn or public facility that doesn't have a needed resident trainer. Please note that at this time I am a TRAVELING horse professional, preferring to work with individual horse owners who desire to form a knowledgeable, safe, intimate, and confident relationship with their own horse for either pleasure or show. Owners can haul-in to take lessons with me at Cremona (Mechanicsville, MD), if you do not have a suitable arena on your property. Can also take a few beginners without their own horse at this time.

I am a fully experienced English Hunt Seat Equitation, Hunter/Jumper, and Western Stock Seat Instructor/Trainer with many years teaching experience and former showing history in A, B & C rated English shows (medal & hunter/jumper), and AQHA Western shows (reining & gymkhana). I am therefore seeking opportunities to work with horse owners who wish to upgrade their skills and knowledge while boosting performance level, or who are experiencing difficulties in control, obedience, and maintaining a confident seat in the saddle. I use multi-frame photography as a teaching aid so that students may see and evaluate their riding and jumping at every phase of a gait or jump, as well as flying changes and making halts with quiet and virtually imperceptible aids; the mark of a truly advanced rider. Understanding how and why horses react the way they do will increase your communication and effectiveness as a rider no matter what disciplines you undertake; and, will help to correct any scenario which has advanced to the point where the horse too often seems to call the shots" and you come away from a ride frustrated and feeling like you gave in.

I also have a good deal of experience working with clients who struggle with fear issues (love to ride & jump, but are nervous, or had a traumatic spill); horses with formerly learned negative behavior problems that interfere with steady rider progress; and, I am a former certified equestrian therapies instructor, and Special Olympics coach. (I can provide quality therapeutic riding to you or a family member on your own horse.) Finally, I do what is most basic and necessary to the newer horse owner: give instruction on how to safely and successfully handle, ground train, house, groom, feed, and bathe their horses, as well as manage sanitation and pasturing techniques (to prevent health problems), at their private residences (or at barns that accept outside trainers).

IF YOU HAVE NOT YET FOUND THE RIGHT HORSE FOR YOU: my expertise at choosing safe, sound, and appropriate horses for my former riding programs can help you navigate the current sales market. Using your price range and riding level as a guide, we can ride and evaluate potential horses together, eliminating common first-buyer mistakes and horses with undesirable conformation faults that can signal unsuitability and/or early breakdown of the essential bony columns of the legs. Negotiating price and terms of sale is included in the percentage based finder's fee.

A New York Native where I began riding at the age of 7, my work in the Southern Maryland area includes teaching, training, and Program Management positions at Greenwell State Park (Able & Disabled Foundation Program Director), Holly Point Equestrian Center (Lesson Program Manager), and Serenity Cove Stables (where I taught 80% of the clientele and founded a secondary NARHA/PATH certified therapeutic riding program before retiring due to physical burnout in 2011. Clients are limited to the St. Mary's County area. No green horse/green rider combos, please; it rarely has a safe outcome. Child riders must be at least 7 years old, with the age appropriate height and musculature to physically control the horse they are mated with. For price quote and consultation, please call or email me direct: or

Specialties

Confidence Building For Horse And Rider Adult Riding Lessons Advanced Riders Affordable Horse & Rider Training After School Program Balance And Confidence For All Types Of Riders Balanced Seat Barrel Racing Lessons Beginner Riding Lessons for Adults Beginner to Advanced Riders Beginning Riders Welcome Body Awareness Body Balance Certified Instructor Children's Riding Lessons Classical Horsemanship/Balanced Riding Coaching Competing Conquer Fears English English Equitation English Horseback Riding Lessons. English Pleasure English Pleasure And Equitation English Riding Lessons Equitation All Seats Grooming Ground Work Gymkhana Hands On Interactive Training & Lessons Haul-Ins Horse Finder Horse Health Care Lessons Horse Husbandry Horse Training Horseback Riding Lessons Hunt Seat Hunter Jumper Equitation Hunter Jumper Training Hunter Under Saddle Hunters I Travel To You - Based In Mechanicsville Intermediate Riders Jumper Lessons Lunge Lessons MD Pole Bending Private Instruction Private Lessons Problem Horses Reasonable Rates Showing Therapeutic Riding Program Timid Riders Traveling Instructor Weekend Lessons Western Pleasure Western Riding Discipline Young Riders