Several-staff quality instructors strive to meet the training needs and goals of each client with beginner, intermediate and advanced lessons offered privately or in groups and scheduled by appointment.

Our After School Riding Program and Summer Riding Programs are structured riding programs, that provide the core of teaching riding skills, and also offers opportunities for growth and character development to  youth and teens alike, cross training under the USPC manual standards. Students receive an integrated riding program tailored to their skill and confidence level, emphasizing classical military (dressage) techniques to improve basic riding skills, as well as using a hunt & jump seat (if desired).  Students may then progress to drill team or quadrille work, or choose to pursue individual goals in their riding discipline of choice.  All students are encouraged to participate in local team events or exhibitions, but is not mandatory.

* The After School Program begins Sept.15th, ending June 15th annually and is limited in space availability and times due to school hours.  The Summer Riding Program begins June 28th, 2008 and ends August  30th. During the month of July, we have two sessions of Summer Riding Camp that is all day, with a full schedule of activities!  All students in the After School or Summer Riding Programs are required to committ to one lesson per week for one month in advance for proper scheduling allowances (Total of 4 blocked lessons scheduled).. In addition we will have special instructors come twice a month on Saturdays to do special instruction and /or clinics for your child ( scheduling and demand allowances).  As always, we have many lovely horses to choose from ,for all different level riders for your child to use in lessons. Serenity Hill offers boarding services for the student that owns their horse and leases are available for those who desire to ride in additon to their weekly instruction. When school is in session, Lessons are offered Monday through Friday starting at 3:30pm and Saturdays from 9am-4pm and Sundays 9-11am. Each lesson is 60 minutes and ask that each student to come at LEAST-30 minutes early so they can groom, tack up and warm up their horse and give themselves a full hour in the saddle. Any students arriving past the start time of their lesson, will lose that time in the saddle.

All students are required to have the following :

-Approved Riding Helmet

-Riding breeches with half or full seat

-Riding Boots with a heel

-Approved Saftey Vest (Jumping Students Only)

-Appropriate clothing for seasonal conditions

-Riding Gloves

All clothing should be appropriate for the weather and each student will be given a Jacket/Shirt to wear for the program.  Snacks and beverages are provided for each student at every lesson, as well as the parents observing .

 Terri Anne Dougherty-Owner- Raised in Saratoga County and in Farm Country. Horses and the love for them is no stranger to Terri Anne and she has been around them from age four. She rides five days a week with major concentration on the flat in dressage basics but also enjoys Western Pleasure , and long trail rides in the Spring and Fall.  While taking several years off to raise a family and continue her education at  The University at Albany for Criminal Justice & Psychology, Terri Anne rejoined the riding arena with taking instruction in dressage and hunter/jumpers working with different area trainers over the past few years.  Outside of conditioning in her riding skills, Terri Anne focuses on teaching her own students good horse management skills, good relationships and proper riding skills to ensure safety and proper conditioning for the horse and rider. 

"Many new or young riders, do not understand how important correct riding is and how it affects their horses performance, but also their health (spine and legs) and longevity in life." We all  focus on teaching the core foundation of riding: Respect, Safety , Correct Seat,  Bending & Collecting,  AND Control. " Once a student understands these and can ride competently, they can progress in any style and go to any level..the skys the limit!!-Terri Anne Dougherty

 BEGINNER OR ADVANCED PRIVATE LESSONS & TRAINING

CONFIDENCE BUILDING for the new rider or nervous rider-Whether you have always desired to ride, or maybe you have taken a bad fall and need to get your confidence back…Mary Hogencamp & Christie Hugabone will work with each clients individual needs. We have many nice horses to choose from, including "Jack, the Horse!" featured on the home page. "Jack, the Horse!" has been featured on The History  Channel and live theater!

Mary E. Hogencamp-Instructor

Mary is a retired NY State Police Captain. She has ridden, owned and trained her own horses for over 30 years. Mary and her horse Jack, have ridden in a variety of environments – from police training and ceremonial details, to live theater. She has also prepared Jack for two movie appearances.

Mary’s specialized beginner lessons focus on building confidence in the rider. Her training in Mounted Police work and military horsemanship methods help her exemplify the classical techniques of dressage training which are used to enhance the skills of horse and rider – for any discipline. “Basics are basics – regardless of whether you are riding strictly for fun on trails or are preparing to compete. The horse should be obedient, responsive to the aids, safe on the ground and under saddle – and both horse and rider should enjoy their work. A confident rider and a confident horse are partners in fun.”

Mary greatly admires the French Dressage master Jean-Claude Racinet, and has ridden in his clinics. She bases her riding instruction on his teachings, and encourages students to read his books and follow his principles of riding in lightness. "My goal is to show people how to have fun while learning to establish a positive and productive horse-rider partnership. Then, if they are interested, I encourage them to pursue more advanced lessons in their discipline of choice - we are fortunate to have many fine instructors in the area.”   

Jeff Lindberg-Instructor/Trainer

Jeff is an experienced dressage rider, competitor and instructor.  Shown here with "Aramis", owned by Patricia Snyder, "Aramis has competed at Third Level and is also available for sale on www.equine.com  or by contacting Jeff at his facility.  Jeff’s own horse, "Count Furioso" was ENDYCTA year -end champion at Prix St. Georges in 2003.Jeff is also on the board of the Eastern New York Dressage and Combined Training Association (Enydcta.org) and owns and operates his own boarding and training facility Bishop’s Gate in Charlton, NY. Jeff accommodates many of the areas riders in their training needs and all interested clients should email Serenity Hill Farm to find out how to get on the lesson schedule when Jeff is at Serenity Hill. Jeff allows for two days a month (Saturday or Sunday) to offer his instruction.

 Christopher Warner- Senior Instructor/Trainer, has been an equestrian competitor, trainer and teacher for over 30years. He has competed at Prix St. George’s-Intermediare Level 1 in dressage. Chris owned and operated his own riding school school for over ten years, concentrating on dressage and hunter/jumpers. Currently, Chris travels from Massachusetts to New York several time weekly to do training sessions at Serenity Hill and other area stables.

As a child, Chris began his equestrian career in the United States Pony Club finishing in "A" ratings and quickly moved on to 3-day eventing, and dressage, honing his skills at clinics with Denny Emerson and Todd Coffin at Dornhoff Farm in Shaftsbury, Vermont.  He has earned recognition and awards from Saratoga and New Jersey Horse Park.

 Kaitlin Kennedy- Junior Instructor/Trainer- As a young girl of age five, "Katie" was introduced to a love and life of horses from her Mother Jaime. Over the years, Katie has ridden in the hunter/jumper divisions, and around mid teens advanced into Dressage training from Jeff Lindberg at Bishops Gate Farm, in Charlton, New York showing at training level for two years with our "Robbie" and then advancing to riding "Aramis", (shown above with Jeff Lindberg) in first level in dressage in the Summer of 2007.

Serenity Hill Farm is a proud supporter of "The Old Chatham Pony Club" and encourages all young equestrians to participate in the program if they so desire. You can find more about USPC and "The Old Chatham Pony Club by visiting their website: www.oldchathamponyclub.org.

 Additional Riding Services