along Seneca Creek, Hunt View
Riding Academy provides a thorough
education for beginner riders
all the way up to people who are
interested in understanding what it
takes to own and care for a horse.
In fact, the Hunt View staff has
helped many members of the community
go from first time riders to
being confident horse owners.
The family, along with talented
instructors Catherine Woodard
and Marie Demeulenaere, share
their in-depth knowledge about
horse health and care, and train
students in horsemanship and riding
skills in a relaxed family friendly
atmosphere. “One hundred
years ago in the US and around
the world, our grandparent’s
generation possessed this knowledge.
Our horsemanship skills
and teaching methods come from
years of experience and a combination
of wisdom passed down
from traditions found in Argentina,
Scotland, Colombia, France and
the US,” says Alberto. “Our riding
instructors believe that teaching
with a kind, gentle and no pressure
approach is the most effective way
to instill riding skills and the love
for horses in a student.”
Sarah and Alex Sanchez, a local
Bethesda couple, are one such
success story. First-time riders,
they began their training under
the direction of Catherine Woodard
with weekly lessons. As the
months rolled by and their enjoyment,
knowledge and skill increased,
they were inspired to become
horse owners and decided to
board their first horse, an elegant
paint quarter horse named Haley,
at Hunt View. Under the guidance
of Alberto and staff, the Sanchezes
developed important horsemanship
and care experience. Soon
they rescued their second horse,
Winter, a gray majestic Percheron,
a powerful, agile and docile breed
of draft horses. It is a source of
genuine satisfaction for Alberto to
see the couple caring and riding
their horses confidently around
the farm. “Watching Sara and Alex
as well as countless other students
successfully move through our
lesson program with their horses
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