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Riding Lessons
Get Ready to Learn Like Never Before!
Finding a dressage instructor can be frustrating. Many professional riders only work with advanced students, making it difficult for developing riders to find quality instruction. At Paradigm Dressage, we welcome riders of all levels and are committed to helping you progress—whether you're just starting or refining advanced movements.
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 Sets Paradigm Dressage Apart?
At Paradigm Dressage, our lesson program offers more than just expert instruction—we provide highly trained, safe, and experienced horses that help you feel and understand the movements as you learn. With guidance from a highly rated instructor, you’ll develop skills on horses that already know the work, making your learning experience more effective and rewarding.
Biomechanics
With extensive training in horse and rider biomechanics, Leif will guide you in developing body awareness and control, teaching you how to engage your entire body—not just your abs—to become a more effective and elegant rider.
Through small yet impactful adjustments to your position, you'll discover how to enhance your horse’s balance, engagement, and overall happiness, creating a more harmonious partnership between horse and rider.
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 advance through the levels of dressage without the staggering costs of horse ownership—no need to spend $30,000–$50,000 per year on upkeep or $100,000–$200,000 in training like our schoolmasters have received.
Instead, for just $225 per lesson, you get the opportunity to ride a highly trained horse without the burden of unexpected vet bills, farrier costs, or board fees. This allows you to learn, grow, and enjoy the process, all while saving over $50,000 a year in expenses.
If you own your own horse, learning on a schoolmaster first makes it easier to transfer your new skills. However, if you'd prefer to train on your horse, we offer a discounted rate of $175 per lesson at our farm in our covered arena.
Meet the Master
Ebay is a 16.2h, 14-year-old Warmblood gelding trained to Third Level dressage and schooling pirouettes. He is ideal for riders who appreciate a sensitive yet safe horse—no need to constantly urge him forward; a simple aid is enough to get and keep him moving.
Ebay is excellent for learning leg yields, shoulder-in, half-passes, flying changes and all the fundamental skills Leif teaches, including sitting the trot, counting the canter beats, and mastering the elusive half-halt. He adjusts well to his rider, making him a great choice for both timid and confident riders alike. Because of his adjustability and steady nature, Ebay is often the first horse new students ride.
Watch a lesson with Ebay here: Ebay here
Meet the Master
Mystery is a 13-year-old, 15.3h PRE gelding who knows several high school movements, including piaffe, passage, and tempi changes—but he doesn’t give them away for free.
He is a safe and reliable horse but is best suited for a rider with decent control of their leg and hand to easily send him forward. Mystery starts off as a kick ride, but once you learn his buttons, he’s willing and forward. He is also great at telling on his rider, making it clear where improvements are needed. However, when you get it right, he provides instant feedback and a true sense of accomplishment. Mystery also knows the Spanish walk and can bow on command.
Lesson Availability
Leif teaches around 120 lessons per month and is currently fully booked with a waiting list. However, spots do occasionally open up so feel free to reach out.
To schedule a lesson or join the waitlist, text Leif directly 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.