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Riding Lessons
Get Ready to Learn Like Never Before!
No matter your current riding level
Finding a dressage instructor can be frustrating. Many professional riders aren’t willing to teach below a certain level, or are booked solid with a waiting list...
Beginner - Grand Prix
Leif Aho is a highly rated dressage instructor that has successfully shown to the Grand Prix. He has trained extensively with multiple Olympians such as; Allison Brock, Charlotte Bredahl, Heather Blitz, and Shannon Dueck, along with world renown biomechanics expert, Mary Wanless. Leif specializes in teaching students of ALL skill levels, and helping them achieve their riding goals.
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Lesson Horses
What makes Paradigm Dressage’s lesson program different? Not only do we offer lessons with a highly rated instructor, but we offer highly trained dressage schoolmasters that help you feel the movements you are learning all the way up to Grand Prix level.
Biomechanics
With extensive training in horse and rider biomechanics, Leif will help you learn body awareness and control, how to properly engage your whole body (not just your ab muscles), to become a more effective and elegant rider. You will learn how small adjustments to your position, can make a huge difference in your horses ability to balance, engage and be a happier horse.
More bang for your buck
Our schoolmasters will keep that phrase in its idiom form, no bucking here. Not only are they safe, but taking lessons on a schoolmaster, verses having your own horse, saves you from banging your head when those vet, farrier, board, feed, supplement, dental, and insurance bills come in. Not only do you save money on costs, you get to focus on improving your riding, instead of focusing solely on your horse.
With our schoolmaster you get:
- High-level dressage instruction customized for your skill level
- A coach who is as invested in your progress as you are
- A schoolmaster horse who is experienced and understands what you’re asking for, even if it’s your first time asking for a flying lead change, shoulder-in or piaffe, without the time and cost of owning your own horse and hiring trainers
- The ability to switch between horses improves your riding and gives you more experience trying out your new skills
You can still learn how to ride up the levels of dressage, without having to spend $30,000-$50,000 a year on horse expenses, let alone the $100,000-$200,000 in training each of our schoolmasters have received.
You get to save over $50,000 a year in expenses, $100,000 in training and pay only $225 per lesson. No unexpected vet bill, no monthly farrier or board bill, just $225 per lesson to enjoy a highly trained horse, that allows you to learn and grow as a rider, while having fun and saving money. If you do have your own horse, you can transfer your new knowledge to your horse easier than if you learned it on him/her. Want to learn on your horse? No problem! We will even help you with your expenses by reducing our rate to $175 a lesson at our farm in our covered arena. We also offer kids lessons with our assistant trainer, Emma for $100 a lesson.
Meet the Master
Ebay is a 16.2h 13 yr old Warmblood gelding trained to 3rd level dressage and schools pirouettes. Ebay is suitable for the rider that likes a more sensitive horse but is still safe. No need to keep begging him to go forward, just a simple aid will get him and keep him there. Ebay is great for learning leg yields, shoulder in, half passes, and of course all the basics Leif will teach you, such as how to sit the trot, count the canter beat and the elusive half halt. Ebay adjusts to his rider and is great for the more timid rider as well as confident rider. He is often the first horse first time students ride.
You can watch a lesson with Ebay here
Meet the Master
Cracker Jack is a 2015 12.2h welsh pony. CJ is suitable for beginner riders and can help them learn to walk, trot and canter. He also has experience jumping and has shown in dressage and jumping. Lessons on CJ are taught by our assistant trainer, Emma Crosby
You can see a short clip of CJ being ridden by Leif and Missy's daughter, Ezria here https://youtu.be/NBmVOe7EAso
Lesson Availability
Leif teaches 85 lessons a month and currently has only 10 lesson spaces available a month. Jan-March are peak season and fill up quickly. Lessons are booked a week in advance, other than the rare occasion Leif has a cancelation. You can purchase a single lesson or a package of 4, 8 or 12 lessons, that will guarantee your space in Leif's lesson schedule. Lessons can be arranged for late morning or early evening up until 5:00 sometimes 6:00pm. There may be other times available than what the calendar shows. For more time options, text Leif at 561-762-9020
Sit on the Sidelines
Get a sideline view of what a foundational lesson will look like with Leif, by clicking below.
Still riding the fence?
Don’t end up with splinters and miss out on all the fun. After all riding a horse is a lot more comfortable (and fun!) than a fence board. Read what other students have to say about their lessons with Leif below.
Reviews
5 Stars
I wish I could give more stars!
Leif is incredibly talented and is by far one of the best trainers I have ever had the privilege of learning from.
With literally just a handful of sessions I already feel and see the difference and improvements, even the horses I ride at work are responding to the positive changes.
Leif is honestly a genius at what he does, he as the ability to break down and simplify the most complex techniques and explain them in a way where it’s almost as though you can feel it in your mind.
I love his methods especially how he uses biomechanics which has really helped enhance my dressage training and has given me a greater understanding. He finds creative solutions to helping his riders achieve the “feeling” they are searching for in their riding techniques and he breaks down your riding goals so they are attainable and he continues to help you build on them.
He has an incredible eye for detail even for the smallest that seem almost invisible. Leif has given me a variety of tools in such a short amount of time which I am so grateful for.
I highly recommend Paradigm Dressage, I only wish I would of found them sooner. I encourage everyone give them a try you won’t be disappointed. - Natasha Z.
5 Stars
I highly recommend Paradigm Dressage.
Leif Aho is a wonderful trainer and instructor. He makes everything look so easy!
Whether you are a pro or new to riding they have something for everyone!!
I enjoy my lessons and feel like my riding has improved with each one!
The atmosphere is family oriented and very welcoming. - Katie C
5 Stars
I absolutely would recommend Paradigm Dressage. My son has learned so much in a short amount of time because of the knowledge and the dedication of Leif. My son is becoming a responsible, dedicated young man before my eyes and I owe it, in part to, Leif Aho at Paradigm Dressage. - Michele E.
5 Stars
Leif is a patient trainer who gets the best from you at any level.
He improved my technique significantly and my self confidence has been significantly enhanced. - Rebecca C.
5 Stars
Leif is not only a talented rider, but a gifted instructor as well. My husband and I have been taking lessons from Leif since February of 2019 and have improved so much and learned more than we could have expected. - Cheryl R.
5 Stars
A few years ago I met Missy and Leif Aho through our mutual love of Friesian horses. Since then, I’ve followed their work and continue to be amazed at the level and quality of riding and training that they turn out. Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to send my friesian mare to their facility for training. And even in a very short amount of time, I’m already seeing a difference in her! Leif is truly an excellent trainer, and he also has a wonderful way of explaining things in terms that actually make sense (even to a dressage greenie like me)! Dressage is so detail oriented and so much precision based on a “feel”, so having someone who can help explain what that “feel” should be like, is a game changer! Thank you Leif and Missy for taking such great care of me and my girl! - Courtney C.
5 Stars
This facility is a hidden gem in Wellington and easily deserves more than 5 stars. Leif Aho is an enormously talented rider and a fantastic teacher and trainer. Not every good rider is capable of teaching the fundamentals of dressage but Leif has a natural gift for communicating and simplifying the most complex movements required in dressage. He's always patient and encouraging which makes riding with him a real pleasure. I know he has a bright future ahead of him. - Colette C.
5 Stars
Paradigm Dressage offers riders the finest education that one could ask for. Paradigm means "one that serves as a pattern or model" and Leif Aho is the model you want to emulate. His vast knowledge and ways of explaining his lessons to students is invaluable. He is patient, kind, generous and fun to be with. He works well with beginning and experienced riders, as well as green and upper level horses. Leif is a rising star and I am proud to say I am one of his students. - Lorraine D.