Bleu Ridge Farm

10/08/2025

Busy weekend as the worked hard to earn themselves a spot at the State Championship Show!

Amelia and Girls Best Friend
⚜️Equitation on the Flat
⚜️Hunter Under Saddle Pony

Braxton and Corduroy
⚜️ Beginner Equitation

Harper and Spot Check
⚜️Grooming and Showmanship
⚜️Open Trail Pony
⚜️Pony Driving
⚜️Low Working Hunter
⚜️Equitation on the Flat
⚜️Hunter Hack Pony
⚜️Hunter Undersaddle Pony

So proud of these girls ❤️

03/08/2025

I have an opening to add a rider or two for the upcoming 2026 show season. Welcoming kids or adults of all levels to join us!

Riders will have weekly PRIVATE lessons and be eligible to participate in a variety of levels of showing from 4-H, local and rated. These lesson and show opportunities are limited to those with serious horse show interest and goals at this time. Please inquire for an introductory lesson and schedule availability.

03/08/2025

Not all riding lessons are created equal. There are two types of instructors in the horse world: the ones who teach kids to “get on and go,” and the ones who take the time to build true horsemen.

The “get on and go” instructors focus on the ride- heels down, hold the reins, go, turn, then go faster! Kids might learn to post the trot and steer through cones, but they miss the deeper connection. These lessons might look impressive on the surface, but what happens when something goes wrong? When a horse bucks, spooks, or simply says “no”?

Then there are the instructors who break it down. The ones who do more than just ride. They teach children how to groom with intention, to recognize a horse’s body language and moods. They emphasize equitation, patience, and respect. The ride isn’t rushed. It’s earned. These kids learn to care for the horse before asking anything from it.

One method turns out riders.
The other creates horsemen.

28/07/2025

The horse is the clock!

In some ways it’s disappointing being a trainer who puts the horse first, goes at their pace, does an incredible amount of useful ground work, focuses on biomechanics and correct movement and wants the horse to feel happy and confident.

It’s hard to find clients who not only want the same thing, but realize that doing it correctly takes time.

Everyone is in a race to the show ring to try to beat the other guy.

Every horse I train gets worked with at their pace. 10 minutes here and 15 minutes there and it’s little bits at a time. They get the days off that they need. I never wear them out, drill or over do it. I want them to get it, think about and come back again fresh in the afternoon or the next morning to try the next step for a few minutes. It’s slow and steady building blocks with me.

There’s no fluff and frill. There’s no 5 and 6 year olds practicing Grand Prix movements - that takes years and how many years depends on each individual horse.

There’s no race to the show ring. No competition to see who can climb the levels the fastest.

It’s about building a happy, healthy athlete who feels confident in their body and in their work. Those are the horses who last - physically, mentally and emotionally. Those are the horses that I train and put out into the world.

I wish more people were in it for the right reasons.

The horse first. The date of the show is unimportant.

🌻 © Cara Blanchard

📸 Max & Maxwell: Equestrian Photography

26/07/2025

Perfect ponies this morning 🤩

25/07/2025

25/07/2025

When your sister wants to ride, too 😎 We make it happen!

23/07/2025

"The best riders don't just ride – they study their horses and make the effort to understand them." - Ariat Athlete and 4x Olympian Boyd Martin

22/07/2025

Fun with the girls today 💞 great rides, excellent horses and lots of fun 🤩

15/07/2025

Set a new course for the week 🤩