About Us
PROFESSIONAL HORSEBACK RIDING LESSONS IN LEESBURG, VA.
Tamara’s background includes building rescue farms from the ground up to managing upper level show barns where a speck of dust is unacceptable; her training program is a healthy mix of practicality amidst a high standard of care. As an accomplished equestrian rider and lesson instructor, Tamara has competed in numerous horse shows and trials – the true test of the trust and understanding between horse and rider.
She has a unique talent for working with all kinds of horses while embracing their individual personalities, and believes that all horses – regardless of their past – should be given a chance to become their best selves. Tamara also realizes that mistakes will happen, and riders and horses deserve forgiveness and the opportunity to learn. She lives by the quote by Rev. Lucinda Schersing, “Teach and train. Not punish and blame”.
It’s All About Relationships.
Tamara understands that horses never lie, and that they constantly reflect our thoughts and feelings. Once a student acknowledges that fact, they can continue to learn from their horse and themselves. She truly loves working with her students while showing them how to cultivate harmonious relationships with their horses.
Her passion is educating clients throughout the greater Northern Virginia area on all aspects of horsemanship, no matter their age or skill level. Tamara can also travel to your farm for full or half-day clinics.
What is “beat the odds”?
When Tamara was 15, her amazing arabian horse, Jimmy, shattered his knee in an unthinkable accident, and had 50/50 odds of recovering. He made it through surgery, and the vets thought he may never go under saddle again. Life stacked some odds against her dream to ride her beloved again. And she learned through this experience that where there is hope, there is possibility. There is a dream. From dreams, we can break it down into simpler parts, that are attainable and realistic. While her colleagues were out competing and enjoying riding, she was at the barn rewrapping Jimmy’s leg, recleaning his stall, hand grazing, and doing therapeutic rehabbing exercises in the hope she would be able to ride Jimmy again. With the help of Dr Myers and the team at Deepwood, Jimmy recovered to be able to do flat work and dressage, and currently happily gives lessons to her students. She learned about patience, timing, and gratitude for the smallest progressions. Jimmy inspired her to constantly try and “beat the odds” even in simple life scenarios. His show name is Silver Star, represented by the star in our logo.
Beat the odds is a phrase that coach Tamara lives by. It means to believe in your dreams and goals and face adversity. Our problems can be stones in our path, and sometimes we can turn the stones or use them to climb higher. Tamara strives to take positive action to encourage and guide her students to success. Whether that’s in the show arena, or just learning how to jump, Tamara takes a firm approach to building and strengthening the foundation with rider and horse and provides the right tools to progress towards a person’s goals.
It’s a phase that applies to life as well. Have a vision, and be aware of the ways that the odds can beat you. Never turn your back to failure. Learn from every experience and grow. We have a lotus flower in our logo, which symbolizes planting your roots in the mud, and growing toward the light. This translates to standing firmly and owning wherever you’re at in your riding journey. And continuing to grow towards your goals.
“Storms make trees take deeper roots” – Dolly Parton. Trees grow from adversity, and they actually grow from the wind, it strengthens their root systems to deal with wind. Tamara believes the same is true for us- when we can withstand our own wind, our roots become stronger. When trees deal with the wind, they also increase their ability to hold their own weight firmly. It’s not the weight of the load, it’s the way you carry the load. And the way you carry it is strengthened through the foundation of your roots.
