Anatomy in Motion

Peggy Brown

Peggy Brown is a Centered Riding and Driving instructor and clinician from Toledo, Ohio, who has trained horses and riders for over 25 years at her home and stable, Walnut Hill Farm. Her specialty is versatility training and helping people understand the better use of their bodies in riding and driving. Peggy and her students have competed in most disciplines, including hunt seat, dressage, western, jumping, carriage driving, combined driving, draft driving, and versatility competitions at the 4-H, local, state and national level. Peggy and her students have won the North American Haflinger Versatility Championship several times. With her Haflinger mare Ulie, Peggy currently competes in ridden dressage (Second Level), driven Dressage and Combined Driving Events (Preliminary Level), jumpers, hunters, western, trail, and barrel racing.

Peggy is a Level III Centered Riding and Centered Driving Clinician and holds a Bachelors degree in Education. She has taught clinics and given demonstrations in Centered Riding, Centered Driving, safety, teaching and horsemanship in North America, Australia, Europe and the UK. She is certified as a riding and driving instructor through the American Riding Instructor Association, and serves on the ARIA's Testing Staff. Peggy has published articles in a number of equine magazines, including a feature article on Centered Driving in The Whip in 1999.

Peggy's strong belief in good foundation training and the application of physical education techniques to riding and driving have enabled her horses and students to succeed in local through national championship events, as well as bringing more enjoyment to riders and horses at all levels. A lifelong 4-H member and leader, she works effectively with riders of all ages and skill levels.

Working internationally with Susan Harris and in her own riding and driving clinics, Peggy Brown helps riders learn more about their own bodies, how the rider's body affects the horse's body, and how to learn to use their bodies in a way that allows clear and balanced communication with their horse. She has developed groundwork and dismounted exercises for riders to improve their performance in the saddle and in driving. As an accomplished whip, competitor, and driving instructor, Peggy has pioneered the application of Centered Riding principles and methods to driving, resulting in greater safety, communication and harmony with the horse, and enhanced performance and enjoyment. She has also been instrumental in developing an improved harness saddle which enables horses to use themselves with more freedom and better movement. Peggy's goals are to help horses improve their performance and comfort level by helping their riders, no matter what their age or body type, began to see themselves as athletes in a sense of using their bodies wisely to improve their riding skills, prevent injury, and to be able to continue a lifelong pursuit of the sport of riding and driving


click on the image above to see full sized photographs