Training and Lessons

OUR TRAINING TEAM

Barb Sanford graduated from the Hillcrest School of Horseshoeing in Littleton, Colorado and worked as a farrier for 17 years across the state. She has taught 4-H and dressage in Colorado and Pony Club and dressage in New York State. Barb has been showing dressage since the 1980's, through 3rd level. She has trained with Paul Velasik  and Dr. Sherry Ackerman, and has also worked with Jane Savoie. She counts all of these well-known trainers as foundational to her work. More recently, Barb has trained with Spanish Olympian Juan Manuel Munoz Diaz, and currently works with California-based Jeremy Steinberg as well as Jeff Lindberg, who owns nearby Bishop's Gate Farm and shows through the levels to grand prix.

Cailin Sanford grew up in Pony Club in Saratoga Springs and Bennington, Vermont and started showing when she was two. She shows frequently through second level dressage and novice level in eventing. Both Cailin and Barb have also driven. Dr. Sherry Ackerman was a key early influence in dressage, and Cailin now trains for eventing with Margie Hutchinson of Larkin Hill Farm and in 2018 with Irish trainer Eric Horgan, a coach, trainer. course designer and judge based in England and the U.S.. Cailin is Assistant Manager of Cheshire Horse in Saratoga and both she and Barb are well versed in tack fit. training equipment ad products for horse and rider.

Barb and Cailin share management of the farm, and together bring a wealth of experience to horse care and training.

DRESSAGE TRAINING

Barb and Cailin offer dressage lessons and training designed to help you define and achieve your goals. Building on the principles of classical dressage, we are happy to work with a variety of breeds, disciplines and riding levels. We will travel within 20 miles to provide training and lessons at your home if a trailer is not available. Beyond that radius, we can also offer training clinics at your facility, individually or jointly. Cailin also offers eventing lessons and training to select clients.

ADULT AND RETURNING RIDERS

Are you an adult who is fairly new to riding? Are you returning to riding after time away? Are you working with a horse that is new for you? We can help you define and reach your goals for effective riding, confidence building and establishing a positive relationship with your horse. As teachers and trainers, we have extensive experience helping young adults, older riders, and everyone in between.

YOUNG HORSE TRAINING

We have the experience and the facilities to start young horses with ground work and under saddle, expose them to different situations and teach them in-hand work. We also show young horses in-hand.

TRAIL TRAINING

Would you like your horse to be more relaxed and confident on the trail? We can help with that. We can hack out client horses on our extensive wooded trails and open fields to develop their experience and confidence on varied terrain (with occasional surprises from turkeys and deer!). We can also provide guided trail schooling for you and your horse on our fields and trails.

SHOWING

The Winterwood team helps boarders and other clients who want to show their own horses to set realistic goals and prepare for shows. We want riders to have a positive experience on show day, so our approach is laid back, fun, and affirming. Cailin also regularly shows her own and client-owned horses in dressage and eventing.