The Professional's Course may be taken as a paid study, working month to month, or as work study. The work study option requires a one year commitment, and all riders in the program, whether paid or work study, must start with an intensive. The purpose of the intensive is to be certain that the rider clearly understands the differences in the way we work, and has a chance to interact with Craig, Mary Anne and Sam for a week "in the trenches" so that we can meet the student and so that they can better evaluate whether this is the right direction for them.

After completing the intensive, the student who is ready to make the commitment applies to the program and once accepted, may choose to pay for the program ($2,000 per month) or take the work-study option. The work-study student typically progresses faster, but the program requires a full year commitment and it is not for the faint of heart. It is hard work in all sorts of weather doing whatever is called for to keep the barn, the horses, and the clients who come to work with Craig well cared for.

This is not just another dressage barn, we take no pleasure out of organizing our sock drawers, and our horses actually enjoy the work they’re doing. If you like dressage for the well groomed horses, the intimidating participants and the cool coats and hats... you won't have any interest in what we're doing. Our barn is a diva free zone.

We teach classical equitation based in the methods taught before the industrial age, before military needs and competition changed the way we interacted with the horse and started all the schisms in the industry. Your riding discipline can be anything, from barrel racing to Haute École-- Classical work is the foundation behind it all.

Most modern riders feel a profound need to undo their approach to riding before they can begin to grasp ours—then once they begin to make sense of it, what they understood before begins to come back into focus but, as one rider put it, “with the accents all on different syllables”. Our focus is on the horse, and on developing riders who can think, who understand not just what to do but how it affects the horse, and why.

Craig Stevens is a scholar of the horse and our library is extensive—he’s read everything written in English on dressage, and learned to read French in order to study the old masters in their own words. He has a fantastic collection of books, DVDs and videos on dressage, eventing, jumping and classical riding. Our students have access to these works to study in the privacy of our home office/library.

This is the perfect working student position for someone who would move heaven and earth to really, truly, finally learn to ride and train and teach. It would not be the right position for someone who needs lots of supervision at every turn, or who requires an immediate salary, or who worries about impressing people with what they already know. Come expecting to be a beginner, regardless of your level, and to fill in any gaps in what you know so that you really feel secure in what you'll be teaching and training when you complete the program.

Craig is sought after as an instructor because he’s so effective. If you honestly do this program, no matter what your level coming in, you will learn to ride, train and teach brilliantly in a very short time. We spend no time at all in making you look good, you start looking good as your balance and understanding improve. We give you everything you need to make the work real, so that once you begin to get good at this, every horse you work with is grateful that it’s you picking up the reins, and every student you work with actually learns to ride.

You will start with an intensive to get to know who we are and get a feel for the barn. This starts you into the riding program ready to pick up the reins, and introduces you to Craig's methods and style so that you can start with your feet on the ground ready to roll.

Students from other countries: you'll need to get a tourist visa to come spend time with us here. Talk with us about your interview before you go in to the embassy. You will not be paid, ever, for anything that you do when you are here, and we are not a university: you will not be getting any educational credit for what you learn. It is absolutely okay for you to come, and we will help you explain what you're doing so that they understand it. You will need an invitation letter from your host family saying that they're expecting you.

Please be clear, as much as we would like to, we do not house you, nor do we pay you, nor do we feed you here... those things must be arranged separately. We will offer support in finding housing in the area, but your arrangements will be made by you.

Contact us for more information.

__________________Click here for application materials.