Today we’d like to introduce you to Angie Hughes.
Hi Angie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I was born into a horsey family. My mom was obsessed with horses, and our family had had horse experience because of my mom; I was the only one who stuck with it. Our life revolved around the horses. We vacationed at horse events, trips to the ocean to ride, or up in the mountains. I have never camped without a horse.
I started coaching younger children as I was still a young rider myself. We had riding lessons at home with a riding instructor, and in between our sessions, I would coach the younger kids. As a parent myself, looking back, it was a bit crazy! The parents of the kids I was coaching would drop the kids with their ponies off at my house, and I spent whatever time we had helping them with their ponies. Sometimes it was a few hours other times; it was over a few days. I worked hard to keep the kids safe and having fun with their ponies. Soon, the kids only wanted to ride with me, not the adult instructor. Oops. At the time, horse education was very adult-styled learning and monotonous and drill-like. Most of the lessons were boring for children, and when I got to teach kids, I wanted them to have fun but be safe. I felt that the kids would learn better by doing. My coaching approach is to help them make “safe mistakes” early on to learn to be problem solvers and read their ponies so they can keep themselves and their ponies safe.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not even close. After spending 10 years working for horse trainers working my way up from stall cleaner, groom, and assistant trainer to some incredible horsemen and women, I struggled. After a few experiences with unpaying customers, I started exploring employment outside the horse industry. I found myself in hospitality, recreation, and event coordination. I would always work my way into the training departments each time. Writing policies & procedures, creating training programs, and training new hires. Although I never entirely left the horse industry. I began judging horse shows when I was 17; by the time I was 25, I was judging 30+ horse shows a year. On the side, as an AQHA Professional Horseman, I trained and coached a few amateur adult riders and had a few lesson horses for youth riders. In the meantime, I married my best friend Will, and we had our son. The year after our son was born, I graduated with honors after a multi-year program commitment to become an accredited riding instructor, horse trainer, and riding coach.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have held many titles in the horse industry, but my wheelhouse is in education. I am a riding coach who teaches people ages 5 to 75 how to be safe and successful with horses. Horses have saved me in many ways. I have devoted my life to helping others by teaching solid horsemanship skills. Horses are incredible for all ages. Learning how to work with and ride horses safely will stay with a person.
Benefits of horses:
Self-confidence: One of the most significant psychological benefits of horse riding is increased self-confidence. Until you get used to handling them, horses can seem somewhat daunting. Of course, once you get to know them, horses have a way of improving your overall self-confidence.
Stress relief: There is something about being around horses that seems to relieve stress for most people naturally. For this reason, Horsemanship and horse riding are great activities to participate in if you want to decrease stress levels.
Increases patience and focus in addition to improving your self-confidence and reducing stress levels, horse riding can also increase your patience and focus. Like many other animals, horses require a fair amount of patience. Also, when around horses, you must pay close attention to detail and remain focused and calm.
Rewarding: Finally, perhaps one of the best psychological benefits of horse riding is the fact that it’s gratifying. While initially may seem complicated, the rewards are exceptional when you learn a new skill with horses.
Students fall in love with horses and all the benefits that come with experiencing horses. I was an athlete, and I reached a point where I had to choose sports or horses. I chose horses because I knew I wouldn’t play those sports after high school and how rare sports scholarships and advancing opportunities would be available to me. Following the horsemanship journey, I was awarded a few agriculture and horse-related scholarships helping me fund my post-high school education. Fortunate for today’s youth, there are far more educational and scholarship opportunities with horses now.
Horse show judging has taken me all over the US and into Canada. Since our son is starting high school, this fall, I decided to stay close to home to enjoy his high school years. In staying close to home, my amazing horses and I are focused on developing students as individuals; it’s about creating a foundation that will last a lifetime. I am most proud of the revolutionary program we have developed. There is a lot to Horsemanship, and too many programs only focus on riding. Riding is one piece to the giant puzzle that is Horsemanship. My program is curriculum-based with a systematic approach to developing well-rounded horse people through our Levels of Horsemanship. This offers students a solid foundation in their Horsemanship. It is not about cycling clients thru continuously; it is about making the most well-rounded and ethical riders possible. To advance in levels, students are tested on the pillars of Horsemanship:
– Riding Skills
– Groundwork
– Horse care
– Stable Management
– Knowledge
I believe that my students are the future of the Horse Industry, and we strive to create an environment that produces top riders and functional and educated Horsemen. Our program naturally creates an atmosphere of learning that helps students seamlessly progress through the ten levels.
Safety is critical at AHH. We strive to keep top-notch mounts, high-end equipment, and quality riding areas to keep our students at their best!
What was your favorite childhood memory?
We took several family trips with the horses, but my favorite was our trip to Point Reyes in California. We stayed in a stable above the horses. I remember looking through the floorboards and seeing the horses below us. It was a neat experience. During the days, we trail rode to the ocean, and in our evenings, we had fabulous meals with our family friends.
Pricing:
- We offer our revolutionary horsemanship program all year round. Get started with our beginners level at $300 a month.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.AngieHughesHorsemanship.com
