Equestrian Program

Wheatland Farm is a USEF Para-dressage Center of Excellence -- just the fourth center to have been awarded this designation nationwide. Honored to host the USEF 2018 Para Dressage Team Observation Event for the World Equestrian Games, Wheatland Farm's facility includes an FEI-quality outdoor competition arena, an ADA-compliant indoor arena, a fully-accessible 18-stall barn with auto mounting lift for wheelchair-dependent athletes, and miles of outdoor trails where athletes and their families can stroll and enjoy time together outdoors.

​

Serving more than 100 riders each week in para-dressage, adapted riding, US Pony Club, eventing and traditional dressage, Wheatland Farm is pioneering the concept of equestrian programs for both able-bodied and disabled riders in a wholly inclusive equestrian center. All of Wheatland Farm's programs are designed to include the whole family - riders with disabilities, their siblings, and their friends in the community. This pioneering approach to equestrian sport provides the support that riders with disabilities require to learn and compete on equal footing with their able-bodied peers. It brings the community together and fosters greater awareness of the challenges facing individuals with disabilities.

​

Wheatland Farm has 16 horses in its program, from Grand Prix to first level,  along with nine staff members and over 75 trained volunteers.  In addition to year-round riding lessons, Wheatland Farm offers dressage shows for both able-bodied and para-dressage riders, monthly jumper shows, quarterly clinics with five-star event riders and dressage riders, and family events such as an afternoon tea every spring, and a fishing tournament in the fall.

"Creating equal opportunities for riders with special needs in a loving, first-class, family-centric environment'

​

At Wheatland Farm, our equestrian program is designed to bring ALL riders from the beginning stages of their riding education to the highest levels of competition in the sport. Our rider demographics reflect a very inclusive student body: 58% are traditional, non-disabled athletes; 32% have varying developmental delays in adapted riding lessons, and 10% are para-equestrian riders. That means almost half of our students require adaptive programming, and half are fully able-bodied. 66% of our students are female, while 34% are male. Of that student body, 45% are children, 27% are teenagers, and 28% are adults! A great mix all around.

Riders with disabilities can begin riding for therapeutic benefit in our adapted riding lesson program, supported by an adapted riding instructor, and volunteers. Many riders start with us as therapy students, aiming to improve physical and cognitive skills. Over time, they may develop independence and skill to become competitive / sport riders.

There are several avenues for riders with disabilities, including pure therapy, therapy progressing to adaptive sport, and competition. Para-Dressage is the pinnacle of competitive sport riding for individuals with a 15% or greater permanent, measurable disability. Though not all riders with disabilities will qualify for or wish to compete at this level of equestrian sport, many do.

A video about para-dressage is available on our enrollment page and will help you understand the relationship between the journey from therapy to sport and features Wheatland Farm's Executive Director Muriel Forrest and our USEF head Coach for Para Equestrian Dressage, Michel Assouline. Further information is also provided below.

'A tradition of excellence since Xenophon'

The art of equestrianism has been with us for thousands of years. Horses have played a crucial role in the development of humanity, from our earliest nomadic days to the establishment of great empires, to the exploration of new frontiers in the American colonies. Horses have faithfully partnered with humans to make some of our most outstanding achievements possible. In wartime and peace, excellence in horsemanship was considered as essential as reading, writing, and arithmetic. With the industrial revolution and the modernization of the military, horses suddenly became a luxury pets rather than essential companions.

However, the nobility, beauty, and fiercely independent spirit of the horse that has captivated humans for centuries still has the same effect today. The classical riding skills that prepared soldiers for battle have been honed and refined for sport, and derivations of those skills can be seen in dressage, jumping, and cross-country riding. Here at Wheatland Farm, our instruction of both horse and rider is rooted in the classical art of horsemanship. Our students and our horses develop skills in flatwork or dressage first and have the opportunity, if they wish to advance those skills over fences. The care and maintenance of the horse are equally crucial to the holistic development of excellent horsemanship, so this, too, is included in instruction through our US Pony Club program. If you are looking for the best equestrian skill development at a top-class facility, contact us today, and achieve your goals tomorrow.....

"Competitive international dressage for riders with disabilities"

​

As a United States Equestrian Federation Center of Excellence for international para dressage training and development, Wheatland Farm is one of only five such centers nationwide.

Our Para dressage instructional program is designed to bring athletes from introduction to dressage through classification, show preparation and competition, and eventual purchase or lease of their own competition horse.

USEF-certified para dressage coaches conduct lessons on Wheatland Farm's FEI dressage horses and upper-level dressage horses. Training board is also available for para dressage athletes wishing to compete and train with Wheatland Farm.

​

Enrollment begins with a free riding assessment. Links for an assessment are on our enrollment page.

A leading source worldwide for youth education in horse care, safety, and equestrian pursuits.

​

Wheatland Farm is proud to be recognized as the country's first inclusive USPC Riding Center. USPC is an educational organization for youth and adults that teaches riding, mounted sports, and the care of horses and ponies, thereby developing responsibility, sportsmanship, moral judgment, leadership, and self-confidence.

The Wheatland Farm USPC Riding Center program runs throughout the year. Weekly riding lessons are taught from the USPC curriculum, preparing members to take their mounted ratings. Unmounted classes are offered twice yearly to prepare members for Horse Management ratings. A four-week series of horse management lessons are held in spring and fall. Members may participate in as many of the series as they wish. You do not need your pony or horse to join a riding center. You may borrow one of our lesson horses; however, we require a riding assessment before joining the lesson series to match you with the appropriate lesson horse.

​

USPC utilizes a certification program to reflect riders' equine knowledge and riding abilities. All new members begin with a D-1 rating (lowest) and have the opportunity to ascend through the program to the highest level of "A." An "A" certified Pony Club member is recognized internationally as an expert in horse knowledge and riding ability. The D-1 rating presumes no horse experience. As such, ALL LEVELS of riders may participate. USPC members can expect their USPC instructors to help prepare them for the next level. Riders can progress through the rating system at their own pace! Ratings are not a race!

​

The USPC program has three organizational tiers: National, Regional, and Club levels. Members must join all three groups to participate in USPC-sanctioned events. First, members join their local Riding Center ($25 annual fee), check payable to Wheatland Farm. Members must be currently enrolled students of Wheatland Farm. Upon enrollment in Wheatland Farm's Pony Club, members will receive an email from joining the National USPC. To participate in events within our Virginia region, members must join Virginia Region Pony Clubs.  Links to join Wheatland Farm Pony Club are on our enrollment page.

Dressage and jumper schooling shows occur at Wheatland Farm each month from September to July.

​

Dressage schooling shows are held for enrolled students, opening to the general public in May, June, and July and again in September and October. Dressage shows open to the public are advertised and available for registration through STRIIDER. 

​

Jumper shows are open to the public and to Wheatland Farm students with their own horses or a leased program horse. Registration for jumper schooling shows is available through STRIDER.

Enrolling in Wheatland Farm's Training Board program gives you and your horse the ultimate competitive edge. Assisted and supported by Wheatland Farm's professional staff, both horse and rider receive coaching and training by the day, the month, or for extended periods. Lessons, training, and full board are all included. Just a handful of spots are available, so contact us for availability and pricing today

Wheatland Farm is one of the United States seven Centers of Excellence for International Para Dressage. Learn more about this exciting program!