BOARDING
Puckerbrush Farm offers the finest boarding facility in the area. We have 27 plush, 10 x 12 box stalls. Stalls are cleaned every morning and are bedded with ample amounts of local, white pine bedding. Fresh hay and water are always available. An individual feeding and turnout regimen is established within the first week of arrival to gain the optimum condition for your horse. $950/month/horse. There is an additional monthly lesson requirement.
Professional staff is available at your convenience, whether it be vet or farrier visits or having your horse accessible for a scheduled lesson. Worming, hoof care, dental care and annual shots are carefully managed and arranged for you. Cold, snowy nights and hot, summer days; there's no need for you to worry. Blanketing, bathing and fly control are regularly monitored by our competent employees.
We offer extensive exercise arenas- all with a custom blend of sand and GGT footing. We have a 75 x 235 indoor arena for those snowy, winter days. We also have a 100 x 200 outdoor arena complete with a jump course open as long as the weather permits. There is another 100 x 150 outside arena for flatwork and dressage enthusiasts alike. The property hosts cross country jumps for a range of abilities. There is also an extensive trail system throughout our area that takes you deeper into the beauty of Maine with each step.
In the fall of 2004 Puckerbrush expanded with eleven more stalls, another tack room, another feed room, another utility room, and space for 7 more stalls, tack room, etc . We have also completely revamped the lighting system in our indoor. LED lights now brighten all corners of our indoor.
Professional staff is available at your convenience, whether it be vet or farrier visits or having your horse accessible for a scheduled lesson. Worming, hoof care, dental care and annual shots are carefully managed and arranged for you. Cold, snowy nights and hot, summer days; there's no need for you to worry. Blanketing, bathing and fly control are regularly monitored by our competent employees.
We offer extensive exercise arenas- all with a custom blend of sand and GGT footing. We have a 75 x 235 indoor arena for those snowy, winter days. We also have a 100 x 200 outdoor arena complete with a jump course open as long as the weather permits. There is another 100 x 150 outside arena for flatwork and dressage enthusiasts alike. The property hosts cross country jumps for a range of abilities. There is also an extensive trail system throughout our area that takes you deeper into the beauty of Maine with each step.
In the fall of 2004 Puckerbrush expanded with eleven more stalls, another tack room, another feed room, another utility room, and space for 7 more stalls, tack room, etc . We have also completely revamped the lighting system in our indoor. LED lights now brighten all corners of our indoor.
LESSONS
LESSONS
Puckerbrush Farm offers riding lessons with a focus on Dressage. We have two instructors for all experience levels!
For intermediate to FEI riders learn with experienced instructor, USDF gold medalist, 'r' judge, and current competitor Bryn Walsh. Private: $85 for boarders, $100 for non-boarders.
For beginners looking for a well-rounded start, focusing on good, solid basics, Katie Goodspeed. Private $55.
Lessons are only available to riders who own their own horses.
Puckerbrush Farm has a 24 hr cancellation policy. If the instructor is not notified of cancellation at least 24 hrs prior to the scheduled start of the lesson, the full lesson fee will be assessed. Payment is due when services are received or ahead of time in bulk lesson options.
For intermediate to FEI riders learn with experienced instructor, USDF gold medalist, 'r' judge, and current competitor Bryn Walsh. Private: $85 for boarders, $100 for non-boarders.
For beginners looking for a well-rounded start, focusing on good, solid basics, Katie Goodspeed. Private $55.
Lessons are only available to riders who own their own horses.
Puckerbrush Farm has a 24 hr cancellation policy. If the instructor is not notified of cancellation at least 24 hrs prior to the scheduled start of the lesson, the full lesson fee will be assessed. Payment is due when services are received or ahead of time in bulk lesson options.
TRAINING
Puckerbrush Farm's trainer is Bryn Walsh. Bryn is an 'r' dressage judge, a USDF Gold Medalist, and the coach of the University of Maine Dressage Team. She can surely help you with all of your training needs! For more information about Bryn, visit the About Us page!
She bases her training and teaching on the principles outlined in the dressage training scale- rhythm, relaxation, connection, impulsion, straightness, and collection. She believes that horses learn through mutual trust and confidence instead of fear or force. Her goal is "quality not quantity", paying particular attention to making sure that your horse has grasped each concept before moving on to the next.
Puckerbrush Farm accepts horses of all breeds and ages. Whether your horse is ready to be backed for the first time, is ready to perfect their flying changes, or anywhere in between, we are able to custom design your training program. We also offer an exercise/ training program for our permanent boarders. Horses are worked two to five times per week depending on the availability of the owner. Again, this program can be custom designed to fit each boarders' needs.
Bryn strongly encourages the owner to be part of the training process for optimal results! This provides consistency for both horse and owner during the learning process and leads to higher long term success!
Partial Training-2 rides per week, $350/month with a 2 month commitment
Full Training-4 rides per week, $650/month
She bases her training and teaching on the principles outlined in the dressage training scale- rhythm, relaxation, connection, impulsion, straightness, and collection. She believes that horses learn through mutual trust and confidence instead of fear or force. Her goal is "quality not quantity", paying particular attention to making sure that your horse has grasped each concept before moving on to the next.
Puckerbrush Farm accepts horses of all breeds and ages. Whether your horse is ready to be backed for the first time, is ready to perfect their flying changes, or anywhere in between, we are able to custom design your training program. We also offer an exercise/ training program for our permanent boarders. Horses are worked two to five times per week depending on the availability of the owner. Again, this program can be custom designed to fit each boarders' needs.
Bryn strongly encourages the owner to be part of the training process for optimal results! This provides consistency for both horse and owner during the learning process and leads to higher long term success!
Partial Training-2 rides per week, $350/month with a 2 month commitment
Full Training-4 rides per week, $650/month
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE DRESSAGE TEAM
Puckerbrush Farm is pleased to be the home of the University of Maine Dressage Club. Although still in its infancy, the club has doubled in size and energy this year. Members include both seasoned riders and enthusiastic newcomers to the sport. The team members have taken part in Puckerbrush Farm dressage shows with the hopes of improving their skills to attend Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) shows throughout New England.
IDA competition in a nutshell- The Dressage Team represent the University of Maine in the Intercollegiate Dressage Association show circuit. The Intercollegiate Dressage Association, or IDA, has a show format that is a little different from the average state or sanctioned show. The first major difference is that the ‘Host’ team provides all of the horses for the competition. This eliminates numerous complications that could arise with each school trucking their own horses to the competition. This is a challenging arrangement for the riders because they are asked to compete with a horse they have never ridden. Therefore sound, talented and even tempered horses are imperative to the success of an IDA show.
A team is comprised of four showing members who represent four levels of difficulty in competition. Each team has a First Level, Upper Training, Lower Training and Intro rider. For those that are not familiar with the sport of dressage, these classifications coincide with ‘tests’ that the horses and riders are asked to perform. For example, all First Level riders will be asked to ride the same First Level test. The host team divides the horses they will be providing into groups of four. Each horse also represents the four levels of difficulty, although some can usually be used for one or two different levels.
A typical IDA show is structured in the following way- each team gets a packet that contains team members’ numbers for the day and a packet that contains a schedule, the groups of horses and descriptions of each horse. The team also is told what horse group they will be riding.‘Parade Riders’-usually non-competing dressage club members, ride the horses according to theirgroup, descriptions are read allowed for each horse. This step is important because it allows the coaches and competitors to learn valuable information about the group of horses they have been given.
Riders show their tests. Each rider is allowed a 10 minute warm up with coaching from their team coach. This is the only time they are allowed to ride the horse prior to their test.The day starts with the first level riders, followed by upper training, lower training and intro.The day ends with a tabulation of the scores and placing, followed by an awards ceremony.
Awards are given for the placing 1-6 of individuals in each level of difficulty.Awards are also given to teams placing 1-6 based on overall number of points earned amongst team members. Awards are given to the ‘High point’ and ‘Reserve High point’ riders. These are the riders that received the top two highest scores of the day, regardless of level of difficulty. As always, we appreciate your support in fostering these incredible athletes!
IDA competition in a nutshell- The Dressage Team represent the University of Maine in the Intercollegiate Dressage Association show circuit. The Intercollegiate Dressage Association, or IDA, has a show format that is a little different from the average state or sanctioned show. The first major difference is that the ‘Host’ team provides all of the horses for the competition. This eliminates numerous complications that could arise with each school trucking their own horses to the competition. This is a challenging arrangement for the riders because they are asked to compete with a horse they have never ridden. Therefore sound, talented and even tempered horses are imperative to the success of an IDA show.
A team is comprised of four showing members who represent four levels of difficulty in competition. Each team has a First Level, Upper Training, Lower Training and Intro rider. For those that are not familiar with the sport of dressage, these classifications coincide with ‘tests’ that the horses and riders are asked to perform. For example, all First Level riders will be asked to ride the same First Level test. The host team divides the horses they will be providing into groups of four. Each horse also represents the four levels of difficulty, although some can usually be used for one or two different levels.
A typical IDA show is structured in the following way- each team gets a packet that contains team members’ numbers for the day and a packet that contains a schedule, the groups of horses and descriptions of each horse. The team also is told what horse group they will be riding.‘Parade Riders’-usually non-competing dressage club members, ride the horses according to theirgroup, descriptions are read allowed for each horse. This step is important because it allows the coaches and competitors to learn valuable information about the group of horses they have been given.
Riders show their tests. Each rider is allowed a 10 minute warm up with coaching from their team coach. This is the only time they are allowed to ride the horse prior to their test.The day starts with the first level riders, followed by upper training, lower training and intro.The day ends with a tabulation of the scores and placing, followed by an awards ceremony.
Awards are given for the placing 1-6 of individuals in each level of difficulty.Awards are also given to teams placing 1-6 based on overall number of points earned amongst team members. Awards are given to the ‘High point’ and ‘Reserve High point’ riders. These are the riders that received the top two highest scores of the day, regardless of level of difficulty. As always, we appreciate your support in fostering these incredible athletes!
As everyone knows the cost of supporting our equine addictions is high and financial support from the University of Maine is limited. Donations, including equipment and funding, are always welcome. Please contact Puckerbrush Farm for more information.