Lessons
Hunter/Jumper Lesson Program
For the novice to expert level rider, Bridlewood offers a Lesson Program to suit your Hunter/Jumper goals. Our expert trainers have the patience to introduce beginners to the joys of riding and the skill to fine-tune intermediate and advanced riders. Hunter/Jumper lessons are available 6 days per week (we are closed on Mondays).
A covered, lighted arena allows for lessons during evening hours and inclement weather. Lessons are 45-60 minutes for private and semi-private groups; riders will be grouped according to experience. School horses and tack are available for riders who do not yet own a horse or pony. All riders must wear proper riding attire: ASTM/SEI approved helmet, riding breaches, a collared shirt, and paddock boots with half-chaps or tall boots.
Bridlewood Show Riders
Students who have exhibited the ability to take their riding skills beyond the lesson ring are invited to join the Bridlewood Show Riders. Bridlewood Show Riders typically own or lease their horse or pony, but the barn has many lesson horses available for show lease as well. Riders have the option to compete in any or all shows posted on the Bridlewood Show Riders schedule; approximately 15 shows each season.
Bridlewood is a member of the North Texas Hunter Jumper Club (NTHJC) circuit, but also competes in THJA (Texas Hunter Jumper Association) “AA”, “A” and “B” rated shows. Under the direction of our trainers, riders practice Hunter and Equitation course work, Medal Tests, Jumper courses and extensive flat work. Bridlewood Show Riders are required to ride in lessons a minimum of twice weekly. Being one of Bridlewood Show Riders provides an excellent opportunity for challenging themselves and their riding abilities on a grander scale while promoting camaraderie and teamwork among those who show.
Trainers
Shann Cranford
Shann Cranford has been riding horses since she was 9 and has been training horses since she started her own horse, Phantom Trick (Tino) when she was just 13. She has successfully campaigned horses to year end awards in the hunter, jumper, and equitation rings.
Shann attended Texas A&M University where she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Animal Science and Biomedical Science. Following graduation, she has been on staff at hunter/jumper barns in the Houston and DFW areas. She currently serves on the board of the Dallas Hunter Jumper Scholarship Circuit and is a member of NTHJC, THJA, USEF, and USHJA.
Shann emphasizes professionalism and horsemanship as foundations for creating a safe, fun environment for learning and development. She particularly enjoys seeing her students and young horses progress through the ranks and achieve their own measures of success.
Rowan Jones
Rowan began her love of horses and competition at the young age of six. She has been competitive at the local and rated “A” level from ponies, to junior/IEA, and now as a professional. She has many accolades, top placings, and year-end awards in the jumpers, equitation, and dressage venues.
Upon finishing high school in Plano, TX, she secured a working student position under former Grand Prix jumper Shelby Ghrahm. It is there that Rowan learned how to start horses from the ground up and onto becoming competitive athletes. She went onto her professional career at age 20 at a USEF Center of Excellence under the guidance of former USA Olympic coach Kai Handt. It is there that she earned her license as a para instructor and began teaching and coaching both able-bodied and para riders for local and rated hunter, jumper and dressage shows. Rowan also worked with children of all ages, abilities, and disabilities through facilitating and running very busy and popular summer horse camps and horse shows. She worked with international horses, breaking/starting two-year olds and up, re-starting client and lesson horses, all while helping to maintain FEI dressage horses and Grand Prix jumpers.
Rowan specializes in problem horses, young horses, and restarts. She appreciates the importance of teamwork between horse and rider. She empathizes on a strong core with basics in centered riding and equitation for the riders and balanced horses. She tries to create a fun, supportive and creative (as no two horse and rider combinations are the same) environment for riders to flourish with their beloved partners!