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Lynden farm is located in Philomont, VA. Our facilities include a lighted
Cover-All covered arena, a grass ring, a 17-stall barn, riding trails, and several fields and paddocks. We have 25+ horses
and ponies to meet the size and skill of all riders. The farm’s focus is on training and showing hunter ponies and horses,
as well as training up new hunter riders.
Tammi and Dan Ketterman own the farm and have been riding hunters and western since they were children. Their six daughters
have been riding since birth. Jackie, the oldest, is the main instructor. Tammi and the other Ketterman
girls will serve as assistants and substitute instructors when needed. Jackie has been around horses all
her life and has won many local and state championships. She was second place large pony and sixth place equitation in the
4-H Southern Region in 2000. In college, Jackie was on the Mary Washington College equestrian team, where she was a regional champion. She also holds a masters
degree in Elementary Education. In addition to giving lessons to her five younger sisters and their friends for many years,
she has taught formally at Lynden for six years and is now ready to help your child learn the dedication, skill, and fun in
equestrian sport.
Lesson Program:
Our lessons focus on the WHOLE horse experience.
We are not a “ride and run” facility. Children are expected to help care for the horse from their very first
lesson. As their equine knowledge and experience increases there are opportunities for riders to help out at the barn
from routine barn chores to helping with lessons to training young ponies and horses. We also host the Canterlopes 4-H
horse club, where children aged 9-19 can learn more about horses and have extra riding/showing opportunities not offered in
the regular lesson program.
Class levels: Leadline: for children aged 5 & 6
who have very little to no riding experience. By the end of this level, the rider will be able to walk on their own, steer
the horse, use proper aids to move/stop the horse, and trot with assistance. The horses will be ready at the barn, each with
an assistant that will lead the horse throughout the lesson. After the lesson, the rider will go to the barn and watch
how the assistant untacks and help groom the horse. Maximum
class size: 4 students - Half-Chaps: for children
6 or over who have very little to no riding experience. By the end of this level, the rider will be able to walk and trot
on their own, have a good concept of diagonals while posting, trot over courses of poles, walk and trot in jump position,
and be able to canter with control. The horses will be tacked up and ready at the barn. After the lesson, the
rider will take their horse back to the barn and learn to untack and groom the horse with assistance. Maximum class size: 4 students - Full
Chaps: for riders who meet the goals of the half-chaps. By the end of this level,
riders will be able to walk, trot, and canter well, as well as trot courses of 4-6 small jumps. The horses will be at the
barn, where the child will assist in tacking up the horse. The rider will also untack and care for the horse after the
lesson. Maximum class size:
4 riders - Hilltoppers: for riders
who meet the goals of the full chaps. By the end of this level, riders will be able to jump a 4-6 jump course at a canter.
The rider is responsible for tacking up before the lesson and untacking and caring for their horse after the lesson. Maximum class size: 6 riders - Foxhunters: for riders who meet the goals of Hilltoppers. The goal of this level is to refine your riding
and progress into full courses at any height, depending on the rider’s age and their mount. Maximum class size: 6 riders - Huntsman: for
advanced riders. The goal of this level is to further refine your riding. There is a strong focus on hunter equitation
and more advanced skills, such as jumper courses. Maximum class size: 6 riders
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