Anyone worked/ridden with Lellie Ward??

[eventer2002]

What are your thoughts on working for or riding with her? I am not familiar with her.

[FLeckenAwesome]

She is FANTASTIC!!!!!
seriously.... she has made such a huge difference in how my horse goes and how i ride him. for the better!!! it's amazing! and i've only been able to ride with her once a month or so.

She's fantastic!! she'll tell you what you're doing wrong, how to fix it, and what you're doing right. and she's hilarious! and understands the horses...doesn't get upset when they throw every evasion in the book out...just waits them out! it took her 20 minutes with fleck one day...and he finally said yes ma'am!! she had to get on cause i was getting pissed, but she just waited him out without getting mad and he finally gave up and was a good boy.

she turned us from hellbent for leather speedy wacko's with fleck jumping over his shoulder, rolling, and taking the flyers....(okay, so we weren't quite as scary as it sounds....or...ehhh, maybe we were!) into nice uphill bouncy canters that really have fleck rocked back so he can jump with his knees up like a normal horse! even my dressage coach and old XC coach was amazed at how much balance and rhythm and control he had. and it's even helped immensely in dressage..he is starting to go deeper and soften his back more! it's amazing!!!

she will call you out on things and she's one of those who makes sure you have all your tools before you go out and get hurt..but she does challenge you! she definately pushes and calls for that effective ride but she also doesn't push you out of your boundaries in a way that is dangerous...if anything she's a bit of the slower to move up spectrum...if that makes sense?!! i guess what i'm trying to say is that i always feel challenged and that i really get something out of my lessons..even if we spend the whole time trying to accomplish one tiny little thing..and never even canter!! it translates into my other rides and just...changes things! seriously!! and.. i always feel like we accomplished alot and never feel demeaned or disappointed in what we did. challenged but not overfaced! because she makes sure you have all your tools to accomplish what she sends you out to do! she's also great about working into harder stuff...which i like. not just going out ...she helps set you and the horses up for success!

so yeah... short answer.. i LOVE her!!! Ride with her!!! you'll be amazed at the difference!
oh..and one other thing...my dressage coach...who i adore!!! and basically...trust everything she says... has the same principles and thoughts as lellie...so it's not like i get any contradictory stuff which is great going between the two. i love it when my coaches work together and i can build on what they both teach....

[groom]

She's drop-dead beautiful, too. Don't be distracted.

[GiGi]

I second everything Flecken said. But then again maybe Lellie has a way with Appys, eh?
My gelding wouldn't do water to save his life. Went to Lellie's farm and damn if he didn't do the water there like he was a fish! And that was with me riding him not her. I think she scared him...hehehehehe She takes no excuses and 99% of what's wrong with the horse is the rider. So if you are thin skinned and make excuses she is not the one for you.
I absolutely love the kick in the pants she gives me when I start getting wussy. She builds my confidence in myself and my horse. She is FUN because she makes you a better horseperson and a better partner with your horse.

[FLeckenAwesome]

hee hee.... the first time i rode with her she asked if I had been "forewarned?! I told her yes, but i think we forgot to tell fleck!! he was floored!!

ha ha!!! she's also more stubborn than him....so yeah, maybe it is an appy thing!! or maybe no one else will work with us!!!

hee hee.

so.....seque-ing into my appy jokes...

why did the indians ride appaloosas to war?!
so they'd be good and mad when they got there!

why do cowboys ride appaloosas?
too poor to ride a real horse, too proud to ride a cow!

hee hee....

i'm allowed to tell appy jokes though!! ;)

oh...one more...

how did the appy's get their spots?
from being poked with ten foot poles!!

hee hee... i crack myself up!!

she is amazing though.... fleck went right on through the ditches like no big deal!! yeah...he used to be a son of a ditch!

[glfprncs]

I've known Lellie for a little over three years now, and while I don't have a horse of my own any longer, I have had the opportunity to ride many of hers.

When I moved to the Aiken area, I hadn't ridden in 7 years. I gave Lellie a call, she invited me out to chat, and I've been there ever since. While I can't ride as much as I'd like (I was pretty regular my first year, but I'm back in school, married, ridiculous time consuming job, so I'm pretty hit or miss), she saw enough in me to help me with my riding (on her horses), teach me a large portion of her 'system,' allow me to just sit and watch her ride, watch her lessons, and allowed me the opportunity to even ride Riverdance (her former 4 star horse) to learn some pretty cool new things.

Lellie is direct and to the point. She says it like it is, however, Lellie also has a sense to know which riders need a little more 'hand holding' whereas others (like me) can take the boot in the seat of the pants approach. She will not allow you to continue making the same mistake over and over and over. She expects you to try your hardest to make the correction, no matter how hard it is. If she feels you're letting the horse walk all over you, she's going to call you on it. Be prepared.

Lellie teachers riders of all ages on all types of horses. She's good with the little ones (she has several young students (young as in, under 12) and the older, more breakable ones like me.

When I came to Lellie's, I'd ridden through the one star level. I cannot tell you how much I learned on the flat since I've been at her farm (and this as a part-timer). She sets up some intriguing (and tricky) show jump and cross-country exercises over small fences, but that are kick ass technical and really make you think and ride. With Lellie, it's not always about jumping big fences or giant fences, it's about riding well.

That said, her facility is also incredibly well suited for eventers. Her sand jump ring is wonderful, and obviously, she has access to a ton of cross-country fences (from BN to preliminary), plus a lot of additional schooling fences.

Like Fleck...I recommend her highly.

If there's anything else, more specific that you need to know, please feel free to PM me.

[Laurel&HollyFarm]

I don't know her at all but I was at an event where she personally got a 14 in dressage :eek:. I didn't actually get to see it but my friend did. She said the judge actually stood up and applauded her. I would not pass up the opportunity to ride with her.

Oh and I used to have an appy. He was fantastic. FLeckenAwesome I love your appy jokes :lol:.

[RunForIt]

just visited the Halfshire Farm website and the button for clinics is missing - no reference to clinics at all and there has always been info! Anyone got news or clarification? Fleck? :confused: :D

I want to at least come and watch the next time Lell appears...if Rasta and my budget are in shape for it I may be brave and do a flat lesson...that is if fuel is available! Ha!

[GiGi]

She is there the 12th. I got the date from the Area III website.

[glfprncs]

I was just looking up the results for this weekend's Pine Top H.T., and saw that Lellie finished 1st with two horses and 2nd with her other horse in the training divisions.

Next Dance finished on his dressage score of 23.5, Peter Pan had a rail, and finished on a 32.0, while Pickles finished on his dressage score of 33.5.

She's been having a stellar season with these three youngsters, and I'm sure she's thrilled with how her program has produced these three.

[RunForIt]

I was just looking up the results for this weekend's Pine Top H.T., and saw that Lellie finished 1st with two horses and 2nd with her other horse in the training divisions.

Next Dance finished on his dressage score of 23.5, Peter Pan had a rail, and finished on a 32.0, while Pickles finished on his dressage score of 33.5.

She's been having a stellar season with these three youngsters, and I'm sure she's thrilled with how her program has produced these three.

I'll add that she won Open Training with Next Dance with a dressage score of 23.5 to 2nd place Olympic rider Mike Winter's 28.0 - love'em both (Mike and Lell), but Lellie's horses are doing GREAT! Pickles won his division (he's finally coming into his own), and Peter Pan was 2nd! :yes: :cool:

[3dazey]

Lellie rode all her horses so well this weekend. The correct training is evident and all 3 are lovely. Watching them go was certainly a high point of the event.

I'm really happy for her! :)

[RunForIt]

Hi 3dazey! :D :cool: Hope to see you soon!

[klc]

My daughter loves, loves, LOVES Lellie. She started riding with her nearly 5 years ago when she was just 10. I don't think Lellie had ever had a student that young, and the first thing she said to us as we approached for her first lesson was "If you have come here to learn how to win more ribbons, you've come to the wrong place". I told her my daughter wants to event and I want her to learn how to do it safely.

She was with another lady for a stadium lesson. She threw a lot of really hard stuff at my daughter, treating her like an adult. I felt a little squeemish as I watched her jump just the middle jump of a grid from an angle, and then jump over a 3' skinny. When the lesson was over I asked my daughter if she wanted to come back. She said yes, she liked the challenge of Lellie.

Lellie is all about safety. She will not let you run wild over her xc course. Be ready to get a good chewing out if you do. She is blunt and to the point, but very fair. She also is really strict about you being able to ride in a straight line. Lellie has a great sense of humor also, and appreciates a good practical joke. My daughter spends time with her every summer, and the strories she comes home with are hilarious.

[RunForIt]

per barn manager...awww.... :( :cry: :confused:

[glfprncs]

RE: KLC and Lellie's sense of humor and practical jokes.

If you come to Paradise, please be aware of giant rubber rats and snakes in the stables...they'll appear just when you think it's safe at Paradise...I cannot tell you how many times I've walked into the barn and about peed my pants when I saw the snake. The rat doesn't surprise me anymore.

[FLeckenAwesome]

hee hee!! that's hilarious about the snakes!!

so yes...she kicked BUTT today!! her riding was just gorgeous!! all three ponies looked fantastic!! and then...after hauling in for the day and riding three horses...she stuck around to give three of us lessons on the XC course.

and you know...my butt is sore!! must be from the butt whippin' we got!!! hee heee. like KLC says..she is blunt and will call you out on stuff, but...she also gets the job done and has made me a better (well, slowly improving, but improving!) rider!

I was looking at pics in her barn bathroom and she is 100% perfect position-wise in every single one!! it's amazing!! i can totally believe that she got a 14 one day!! WOW!!!

regarding the clinics...yeah... i'm sooo bummed. i have no idea why they cancelled the clinic. it's always super full! BUT.... we're working out another place to do it at... in the same area, possibly at a friends farm. as soon as i hear something, i'll keep ya'll posted!

[RunForIt]

Wait - if you're serious about moving the clinic, get in touch with Courtney Waller at Starlight Farm!!!!! HUGE arena very similar to Lellie's, lots of jumps, and a few decent XC jumps. In fact, Lellie used to go to the same farm a lot years ago when it belonged to Dale and Sandy Brown. No joke - its a great place!

http://www.starlightfarmllc.com/

check out the arena and XC jumps by clicking on the tab. Great venue and Courtney is simply a fabulous hostess.

[klc]

My favorite tale of Lellie's exploits from my daughter is when she was giving a lesson to a lady who just would not laugh at any of her jokes. So Lellie turned around and mooned her. From then on the lady always laughed.

[Stewie]

I have nothing but nice, positive things to say about Lellie Ward.

She is my kind of teacher... I want to learn. I want explanations, homework to work on, and I want to feel a change in my horse. I don't want a "yes woman, ground person", who just stands there going "Good, good."

Your lesson will be spent riding and working, not storytelling. You'll start on time, and work the whole time. Will you get to jump huge things? Absolutly not. You'll be humbled and realize how many holes you have in your riding. She loves this sport, and wants it to survive, and will show you what you need in order to progress safely and successfully. She'll beat it into your head that the most important thing is the quality of the approach, not the size of the jump. But, as you improve on the flatwork, you realize how safe and solid you'll actually be when you stare down an intimidating cross country jump.(I'm looking forward to that day!)

If you want to learn, go to Lellie. I have never had a bad experience with her, nor has my horse, nor have my friends or their horses. Yes, I've left deflated and humbled (and sore). But, you can bet that I've listened to everything she's said, and between now and when I see her again, I'll have worked on it. She expects that!

[Jleegriffith]

I love reading about this type of instructor. I live getting my butt kicked but then again there could just be something wrong with me:lol: Does she ever travel up north for clinics?

Rubber snakes and mooning..now that is funny:yes:

[FLeckenAwesome]

oooh, that's a great idea about starlight farm!!

yep..stewie said it way more eloquently than i could/can :)

hee hee....mooning!!! that's hilarious!!

[glfprncs]

Just as an FYI...if you haven't read her blog yet, please do so. It is not only quite funny, but also is quite informative, uplifting, thoughtful, and will make you think.

http://www.paradisefarmaiken.blogspot.com/


I wish I'd been there for the mooning. THAT would've been something to see!!! Poor Kylie...did her eyes burn or anything? LOL

[jellybeans]

After reading all these wonderful comments from everyone,I have to say it is an absolute honor always to be asked to teach anywhere.I have been blessed for so many years to be able to travel around meeting people from all over that care about eventing as much as I do.Whomever wrote that I care very much about the sport is right for sure.

I have had the luxury of travelling a lot around the US and Europe and have been fortunate enough to seek out a lot of experienced people.I take regular lessons myself and struggle with many demons just like everyone else.It is a constant battle for everyone to stay on top of their game.

Years ago I maded a decision to sell my advanced horse,The Travelling Man to Bruce Davidson and buy Paradise Farm.Paradise is well suited to eventing.When one operates a big farm,ones Interational Eventing avaiability tends to go out the window pretty quickly.Then River Dance came along.Though we have switched from International eventing we are aiming at FEI dressage now and show jumping.One never stops learning.River is in fighting form.

A daily mantra was make the team, make the team.Now it's make the payments .You get the idea.So all the monies from the lessons ,that all of you help me with.And all the monies from the Horse Trials (which is sadly very undersubscribed) goes back to eventing (and the bank)

Thankyou all very much for the kind words.And the truth.Be forewarned! Safety is the most important thing.Sometimes it's hard and boring and repetetive to get there.Please help us keep our sport!

[Mariequi]

Worked with Lellie almost 20 years ago - before and after she went to England. And, come to think of it, I had an Appy at that time too!

[RunForIt]

After reading all these wonderful comments from everyone,I have to say it is an absolute honor always to be asked to teach anywhere.I have been blessed for so many years to be able to travel around meeting people from all over that care about eventing as much as I do.Whomever wrote that I care very much about the sport is right for sure.

I have had the luxury of travelling a lot around the US and Europe and have been fortunate enough to seek out a lot of experienced people.I take regular lessons myself and struggle with many demons just like everyone else.It is a constant battle for everyone to stay on top of their game.

Years ago I maded a decision to sell my advanced horse,The Travelling Man to Bruce Davidson and buy Paradise Farm.Paradise is well suited to eventing.When one operates a big farm,ones Interational Eventing avaiability tends to go out the window pretty quickly.Then River Dance came along.Though we have switched from International eventing we are aiming at FEI dressage now and show jumping.One never stops learning.River is in fighting form.

A daily mantra was make the team, make the team.Now it's make the payments .You get the idea.So all the monies from the lessons ,that all of you help me with.And all the monies from the Horse Trials (which is sadly very undersubscribed) goes back to eventing (and the bank)

Thankyou all very much for the kind words.And the truth.Be forewarned! Safety is the most important thing.Sometimes it's hard and boring and repetetive to get there.Please help us keep our sport!

Thanks, Lell!

A group of us are planning a February Aiken minicamp, and Paradise Farm is the center of the plans...CAN I BE READY!???!!!!! :eek: :eek::lol: :cool: Y'all come! Cookiepony and Sir Taco, FleckenAwesome and the dear spotted one Fleck, me and Rasta Mon and....Miss Wicked WITCH! May have to send the Witch to Lell early for "safety" training - ha! No joke, she's coming along just famously with Kelley - will be doing SOMETHING this spring. I figure if Witchy and Lellie can survive each other then I am in high cotton (would prefer high grass/hay! :lol: )

We'll make sure its your "week", Fleck...besides. some of the fun is going to start up this way anyway at Triple Creek. I've got a whole week off in February - will look at the calendar and email you. Make plans.

[FLeckenAwesome]

oooh, make sure you make it on a day i can come!!! or give me enough advance notice to get that week/weekend off work :)

fun fun fun!!! i know of two others that would love to come too!!!

i'm working on the clinic venue....gonna go email a farm and see what happens :) will keep you all posted!!

GET BACK IN YOUR CAGE!!!

hee hee. ;)

[RunForIt]

anyone got info re: Lellie's next destination around the Covington/Conyers area? several folks have PMed and emailed me asking about possible locations and dates (sorry Fleck - but you're the one in the loop since you ride with Lellie hence all the "Forwards" coming your way). :cool:

[GiGi]

RunForIt and Flecken keep me posted as well on the Feb mini-camp. I'll need it to kick start the spring with herself!! Besides Lellie hasn't seen the mare yet!

[RunForIt]

:lol:RunForIt and Flecken keep me posted as well on the Feb mini-camp. I'll need it to kick start the spring with herself!! Besides Lellie hasn't seen the mare yet!

will do - am in the some situation with ALL the trainers I "sometimes" get (read that "get" as budget soundess and horse soundness) to work with...little CANTER mare Miss Wicked Witch will hopefully be out and about this spring in some capacity. Have her with a super trainer - Kelley Cazier - out in Newnan...they are teaching each other to love their gender! Thank goodness, each are super talented! :lol: :cool: Thank goodness Mary Bess has ample capacity to deal with ancient aged eventers...and their ever changing outlooks on life (I thank her father for keeping her in touch with us "older" eventers when I take a hiatus for whatever reason)

looks like this little area of GA is coming into an eventing center what with Ashland Farm, Triple Creek Eventing and Mary Bess Sigman, Ralph Hill and Andrew Harbison at now 3 different venues in the past 4 months, the upcoming ICP clinic with Phyliss Dawson in November at Montclair Stables, and the possibility of Lellie Ward at Starlight Farms (y'all this place is GREAT!) :D :cool:

[CookiePony]

I have heard so many wonderful things about Lellie's teaching from RunForIt and FLeckenAwesome so I am looking forward to working my tail off in February! :D:cool:

[RunForIt]

I have heard so many wonderful things about Lellie's teaching from RunForIt and FLeckenAwesome so I am looking forward to working my tail off in February! :D:cool:

if things go right your tail can be worked earlier than February - Starlight is all of 15 minutes horses on - drive - horses off loaded from Run For It Farm! You , SO, and doggies have a permanent 2nd home here as you well know...as long as you don't forget to bring Taco! :lol: :D :cool:

[GiGi]

omg Runforit I also do xc with Mary Bess! I would train with her more but she is almost 3 hours away from me! I am in Marietta. And don't forget Kim Severson comes to Poplar.
And I am near all the big dressage barns so have a good choice of trainers and clinicians for that as well.

[saje]

If you don't mind an outsider from TN, I'd love to do a clinic w/ Lellie Ward! GiGi can vouch for me that I'm not a nutcase (well, not a ~total~ nutcase anyway :p). I'm in SE TN, so Anything Atlanta -ish is great.

But I only ride a plain chestnut - is that allowed??:cool:

[FLeckenAwesome]

i think lellie would LOVE to see a plain chestnut ;) hee hee.... i think it's just GiGI and I with our apps..... but..maybe i'm wrong!!

course, we do have PLENTY Of spots between the two of us to go round ;)

[RunForIt]

i think lellie would LOVE to see a plain chestnut ;) hee hee.... i think it's just GiGI and I with our apps..... but..maybe i'm wrong!!

course, we do have PLENTY Of spots between the two of us to go round ;)

I'm safe...both Rasta and Witchy are plain bays! :lol: :cool:

[GiGi]

Saje and Keogh are a blast! That would be so fun to have you join us!!!

[RunForIt]

We'll know more about if the Lellie clinics will happen or not in the next week...talk it up - can't you see us all at the nearest Mexican restaurante' (which just happens to have pretty good margaritas!)? :D

Saje, I grew up in Chattanooga, am a UT alum...TN foks are MORE than welcome down this UGA way ANYTIME!!!!!

Again, stay tuned...:winkgrin:

[saje]

RunForIt -

I live in Soddy:cool: Hoping this gets pulled together, but November's getting busy, so I'm really hoping for a winter pick-me-up clinic :)

Thanks for looking into i!

[FLeckenAwesome]

YAY!!! lellie's back on for Halfshire Farm!!
this farm is close to the Conyers Horse Park.

you can go to their website at www.halfshirefarm.com for details.
She might be coming this weekend, but if not, i'm pretty sure nov and dec are still on :)

not sure if she'll be coming to starlight farms also or not.... still working on that!!

hope to see ya'll there!