"With her help I was able to earn my gold medal and raise my scores."
I have known and admired Rita’s riding and training for almost 20 years, but never had the opportunity to train with her until recently. I moved my 3 FEI horses to Longmeadow Farm in the Spring of 2018, and I am thrilled with their care and fitness. The staff does an excellent job with their feeding & supplements, body care & grooming, turnout and blanketing. The horses are content and happy in their work without exhibiting stress or “jumpiness”. Staff members are observant about my horses’ behavior, appetites, and if there are any small scratches, injuries, bug bites or a loose shoe, they notify Rita and me immediately.
Rita is a gifted teacher. She has had enough experience teaching adult amateurs, being in competition herself, and judging at regional shows that she knows how to explain concepts in a clear, approachable and often humorous way. She thinks about how to break down complex actions into understandable pieces so that the student can have small successes which build toward better riding. I came into her program with my sights set on earning my gold medal, but needed hep with canter pirouettes and the canter zigzag. Rita improved my riding technique and also provided insight about what a judge would want to see—and what might be “good enough”. With her help I was able to earn my gold medal and raise my scores.
Barn culture is friendly and comfortable, but serious about training. Rita is at a show every weekend. She helps students at all levels compete. Riders are supportive of one another and Rita truly enjoys the success of her students. This is a barn for riders who want to improve their riding and enjoy the process.
– Rowan O'Riley
"The dedication and skill demonstrated by Rita during lessons and training is unmatched."
I have been riding at Longmeadow Farm for 8 years now. Under Rita’s tutelage, I have progressed from Introductory level to being a competitive third level rider. The dedication and skill demonstrated by Rita during lessons and training is unmatched. She is a wonderful coach, and is always able to explain things in a way that I can understand and translate into my riding. Not only did she help me to buy my current horse, Blingh, over the past two and a half years, she has spent countless hours training both him and I. Today, he is a forward-thinking, happy, engaged horse that loves his work, and my riding has greatly improved as well. Without Rita’s compassion, patience, and knowledge, we would not be where we are today as a team. Training with Rita and boarding at LMF has been a truly wonderful and transformative experience so far, and I look forward to many more years of training competing, and progress!
– Maddy Porter
"For adult amateurs like me, Rita is a Godsend who makes dreams come true!"
For adult amateurs like me, Rita is a Godsend who makes dreams come true! She is a rare talent, with a generous and honest spirit who shares decades of multifaceted seasoned experience honed as a coach, trainer, judge and competitor, that collectively, is priceless. She has a keen ability to bring riders and our horses of all levels - whether “difficult pairings” like Willy and me, Intro Junior riders and their ponies or Grand Prix elite professionals - up through the levels with patience, tailored programs, confidence and joy.
Beyond the multiple blue ribbons and accolades she has won individually or with her boarders and students, paramount is her horsemanship - welfare of horse and rider is foremost in her approach based on integrity, hard work, empathy, and the classic pyramid of training without contrived short cuts.
Accordingly, Rita has cultivated and mentored a world class team of hands on consummate professionals who provide 24-7 care and training of horses, in a no-drama, nurturing environment and community, with top notch facilities and amenities.
On behalf of Willy and me - more than words can express - we are forever grateful that a year after former trainers recommende giving up, Willy just won 3 blue ribbons at his first ever show. We are excited about next phase of our forward movement, and hope to welcome you to our community soon!
– Corinne Young
"Along with riding, she has taught me what it means to work hard for what you want and to never give up. You can do anything you put your mind to."
I have been riding with Rita for about 2 years. She has helped me grow so much as a rider. I have learned what it means to have a true connection with your horse. Dressage isn’t just about controlling your horse with your reins and seat, it’s about creating a trust with your horse so you can work together to achieve anything. I ride a pony named Chipotle and when we first started our training with Rita we didn’t know what it meant to ride dressage. Now, we are training first level and are finally understand what it means to have a true connection. Along with riding, she has taught me what it means to work hard for what you want and to never give up. You can do anything you put your mind to.
– Gabby Steinmeier
