Redwood woman teaches riding basics

REDWOOD — Mary L. Shannon wants to teach horseback riding to beginners of any age.

In December, she started giving lessons at her farm to teach the basics.

"A lot of riding stables are focused on a specific type of riding," she said. "I think people are either intimidated by that or don't know what they're interested in."

She retired from her nursing job and became a certified riding instructor through the Certified Horsemanship Association.

"I love the teaching, the process," Ms. Shannon said.

She offers lessons to children and adult beginners, group lessons, a weekly riding club and day camps at Spencer Valley Farm, 28925 Rogers Road.

Ms. Shannon said there are different styles of riding, but safety is key.

"There are a few important things to do to make it safe," she said.

She and her husband, Timothy P. Beebe, have nine horses and a donkey.

"I've been thinking for years that I'd love to have my own riding stable," she said.

Only four or five of the horses are used for lessons, and two in particular are best for beginners, Ms. Shannon said.

One, Buster, is a 26-year-old Arabian gelding and is great for children to learn on, she said. An 18-year-old Tennessee walking horse mare, Vanilla Latte, is a good beginner for adults.

Tennessee walking horses are easier to learn on, she said, because their running walk gait is less bouncy than other horses' trot.

Ms. Shannon said she is most excited about the weeklong day camp sessions.

She held her first two sessions over schools' winter and spring breaks.

Up to 10 children come to the farm from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and learn about safety, riding and stable management — chores and grooming.

"Horses require work," she said. "The children are expected to groom and tack their own horses."

The weeklong sessions of day camp will run June 29 through Aug. 24, with breaks for the county and state fairs.

Ms. Shannon said that at first, she opened the camp up to 7- to 12-year-olds. But, she said, it's really for 6-year-olds and older, although she had two 5-year-olds at the spring break camp.

"I want to start kids at 5 or 6 if the kid has the interest and ability," she said.

She said her daughter, Adrienne S. Beebe, 10, began limited riding at 3.

Ms. Shannon has a bachelor's degree in child and adolescent development as well as a nursing degree.

She said she wants to get riders to the point where they're riding independently and safely on horses and can decide their own riding interests.

More information on her lesson offerings is available at the farm's Web site or by calling Ms. Shannon at 783-4339.

ON THE NET

Spencer Valley Farm: www.spencervalleyfarm.com