Peggy Brown is a Level IV 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 IV Centered Riding and Centered Driving Clinician. authorized to teach Centered Riding Instructor Courses and Instructor Update Clinics as well as Open Centered Riding and Centered Driving Clinics at all levels.. She has taught clinics and given demonstrations in Centered Riding, Centered Driving, safety, teaching and horsemanship in North America, Australia, Europe and the UK. Peggy is also 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. She holds a Bachelors degree in Education

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

TYPES OF CLINICS AVAILABLE

• Open Centered Riding Clinics

Clinics are normally 3 days ( 2 days minimum). All clinics include an introductory lecture, daily groundwork sessions, balance and body awareness work and riding in small groups.

Open Centered Riding Clinics are suitable for adult and junior riders of all levels, riding Interests, and disciplines, with riders placed in appropriate groups for their age, skill level and discipline. Clinics may be open to all disciplines, or may be specialized  for a particular discipline or group (Dressage, Hunter Seat, Western, Pony Club, etc.).

Open Centered Riding Clinics may include classes in :

     Introductory Centered Riding

    Continuing Centered Riding

OTHER DRIVING CLINICS

Other types of driving clinics, demos and lectures can be arranged to suit the needs of driving clubs and other groups,  including work on driving performance, training, harness fitting, and other topics. Please contact Peggy Brown to discuss your needs.

The Visible Rider Demonstration

Together with Susan Harris, Peggy Brown has created a visual lesson for all riders. Wearing a custom-painted "skeleton suit," Peggy shows how the rider’s body works in when riding in dynamic balance (balance in motion) with the horse at all gaits, in English and Western riding and in jumping. This "inside view" shows clearly when the rider is straight, balanced, and using her body well. It’s also easy to see what happens when she demonstrates common riding faults and how they affect the horse and rider. Many riders (and their instructors!) recognize their own habits, and can see how common riding problems can be addressed by understanding how the body works. Seeing is believing!
 

Peggy Brown has been appearing as the Visible Rider since l999. A Level IV Centered Riding and Centered Driving Instructor/Clinician, she has given presentations with Susan Harris across North America and from Australia to Europe.

The Visible Rider demo is available in conjunction with Peggy Brown's clinics, or as a separate demonstration. It lasts approximately 1  to 1 1/2 hours, and requires a suitable arena and wireless PA system. Sometimes Peggy Brown can bring a horse of her own; usually a suitable local horse is supplied by the clinic organizer.

EXPOS, LECTURES & SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Peggy Brown is available for demonstrations, illustrated lectures, and workshops on The Visible Rider, Centered Riding, Centered Driving, How the Body Works, Versatility Training and other topics for equestrian expos and other events.

As a Level IV Centered Riding Instructor/Clinician, Peggy Brown is also qualified to teach Centered Riding Instructor Courses and Instructor Update Clinics. For more information on these clinics, please contact Peggy Brown directly.

CENTERED RIDING INSTRUCTOR COURSES    

For instructors in any discipline who wish to learn to use Centered Riding techniques in their teaching, and to qualify as Centered Riding Instructors. Participating Instructors must be experienced riding teachers who have previously ridden in at least one Open Centered Riding Clinic. 6 to 12 Participating Instructors accepted, plus a limited number of Student Riders (any level, need not be instructors).

A Centered Riding Instructor Course requires 7 days in 2 parts:

Part One (3 days) includes daily riding, groundwork lessons, mounted bodywork, lectures and an introduction to teaching Centered Riding. Each lesson for Participating Instructors is a teaching demo as well as a practical riding experience. Student riders may audit but do not ride in Part 1.

After Part 1, Participating Instructors practice what they have learned in  their riding, teaching and training for several weeks.

In Part Two (4 days), 6 to 8 weeks later, the Participating Instructors return to share their experiences and discoveries, review the basics learned in Part One, develop further Centered Riding techniques in their riding and groundwork, and do supervised practice teaching with Student Riders. Instructors who successfully complete the CRI Instructor Course qualify as Level I Centered Riding Instructors.

Student riders (any level; need not be instructors) may audit and participate in groundwork, as well as taking Centered Riding lessons with Participating Instructors (under supervision of the Clinic Instructors) during Part 2. This is an excellent opportunity for an intensive Centered Riding learning experience, or for a Participating Instructor to bring a student with them.

CENTERED RIDING INSTRUCTOR 

UPDATE CLINICS   

(4 days)  Updates Centered Riding Instructors with continuing education for advancement in Centered Riding. Participating Instructors must have previously qualified as Centered Riding Instructors and must pay current year dues to Centered Riding, Inc. Includes riding, groundwork, bodywork, and practice teaching, with more advanced Centered Riding techniques adapted to various disciplines.

Student riders (who need not be instructors) may audit and participate in groundwork, as well as taking Centered Riding lessons with Participating Instructors. This is an excellent opportunity for an intensive Centered Riding learning experience.