Facilities + services
Whistling Ridge Equestrian is a boutique sized training and sales business that is based out of their private facility in Staunton, Virginia. We pride ourselves on giving our horses a thorough foundation that allows us to continue educating them predominately outside, covering a variety of terrains and doing different jobs. We keep the program small so that each horse receives ample individual focus and the flexibility to meet whatever their time needs may be. Because of our focus on the way the horse thinks and developing both physical and mental balance, our client base covers a wide range of disciplines; from fox hunting, eventing, breeders, avid trail riders, cow horses to kids horses. Due to the diversity that Brie draws to the program, it is kept small so that we can focus on the individual goals of each horse and owner. Brie studies weekly under other professionals in the area allowing client horses to gain exposure to travel, new settings and facilities and continued education. During the winter months the focus shifts towards fox hunting and refining flatwork and lateral maneuvers in order to prepare for the busy springtime. From spring to fall a variety of outings take place from hunter paces, to dressage shows and three-day events, as well as local roping and cow working clinics or gatherings.
The horses stabled at Whistling Ridge enjoy 24/7 turnout on green pastures as individual or small group, as well as several dry lot corrals for those inclined towards insulin resistance. They are fed premium orchard grass hay that is produced right here on the farm! Nutrena is the foundation of our feeding program and the horses all receive loose mineral supplemented in their feed. We keep our feeding philosophy simple and forage based.
For training there are two full sized grass round corrals, a 5 acre training and jump field, and a 3/4 mile mowed grass fitness track through the 30 acre hayfield. The horses regularly take a 5 minute hack to the neighbors outdoor arena and have immediate access to a couple hundred acres of trails. We also haul 3.5 miles off property to access an indoor arena during the winter months in order to continue optimizing training in inclement weather.
sales
Our primary mission with sales is to produce horses from the ground up. We are focused on a well rounded foundation, safety is our priority, with amateur friendly in mind. Our goal is to help horses search, think and be confident filling in for their human so that they can be successful as themselves, no matter what you intend to do with them. All of our horses have to go through our program and be proven before being available to purchase. Our goal is to determine what career might best suit the horse and to thoroughly understand what type of rider and lifestyle they will feel successful with. Please visit our sales page to view current available horses, fill out our sales horse inquiry questionnaire, or to subscribe to be notified when a new horse is available to the public.
training + Consignment
The primary service at Whistling Ridge is training horses for the public. We take outside horses in for introducing to or additional education in fox hunting, starting under saddle, problem solving, trail riding, eventing as well as sales consignment. Because we keep the program size small, we are able to very effectively tailor it to the individual needs of the horse and the goals of the owner. Our training philosophy is to get the horse willing, relaxed and searching so that they can understand and find comfort, as well as pride, in their work. Once the horse is understanding its job our focus shifts to bridging the gap between where the horse's education is and the rider's.
We have no minimum timeline, our program can be customized entirely to your personal needs. We have several training packages available to better tailor our services to your specific goals. Our base training package starts at $1,500 per month and we offer several other options from coaching included, full time fox hunting, all the way to colt starting and problem solving. Please inquire for the list of services available to compare so that you may better select what is best for you. For consignment horses, Whistling Ridge Equestrian takes responsibility for all marketing, advertising, communicating and showing to prospective buyers. Please visit our contact page to inquire about training and consignment availability and to reserve your spot.
coaching
Teaching has become a large piece of the program here. Students have come from many different backgrounds to learn about horsemanship and develop their foundation further. Brie has the ability to dissect your riding and understanding down to the micro level and fill in the missing building blocks one piece at a time. Her aim is to get the riders confident in problem solving and being creative in their work as well as charting a clear goal-oriented path forward while focusing on positivity. There are a few options for coaching, individual haul in lessons on site or you and your horse can be full time in the program and receive training rides and weekly lessons. Brie is also available to travel for group lessons as well as half day or full day clinics. Whatever your goals are, it is our job to assist you in refining them and teaching you how to get yourself there. Please inquire for pricing and availability.