SCHOOLMASTER LESSONS
45-minute session with 15-minute post-analysis | £95
If you’ve ever dreamed of riding a purebred Spanish horse trained in the art of classical dressage, this is your opportunity to experience true feel, softness, and clarity. Natasha Olivant offers private schoolmaster lessons for adult riders looking to refine their aids, build confidence in the saddle, and understand what correct riding feels like — all on a well-schooled, responsive horse trained in harmony and lightness.
These horses have been developed through years of kind, ethical training and are educated in lateral movements, flying changes, piaffe, passage, and Spanish Walk. With their calm demeanour and sensitivity to correct aids, they offer interactive feedback to help you adjust your seat, improve your timing, and ride with greater balance and purpose.
Each lesson is tailored to where you are in your journey — whether you’re returning to riding, overcoming asymmetry, or working toward advanced riding technique. Natasha takes into account previous injury, confidence level, and biomechanics, creating a space for sympathetic education that builds lasting results. You’ll benefit from two experienced coaches: one equine and one human, guiding you toward clearer communication and a deeper connection.
BENEFITS OF SCHOOLMASTER TUITION
WHY RIDE A SCHOOLMASTER HORSE?
A schoolmaster horse already understands the language of the classical aids, giving you the opportunity to ride with confidence and refine your technique without uncertainty. They help highlight the connection between rider input and equine response — offering a clear, supportive way to develop timing, straightness, and balance in the saddle.
You’ll gain a deeper understanding of your position and how it influences the horse — helping you to progress through movements with more. It’s a chance to learn without the challenge of a green or reactive horse.
DEVELOP RIDER FEEL, BALANCE & CONNECTION
These are not just lessons—they’re experiences in true classical horsemanship. Riding a schoolmaster gives you access to refined feedback and the chance to focus entirely on your own development. Natasha's instruction bridges knowledge and feeling, helping you move from concept to confident execution.
Whether you're rebuilding confidence or looking to refine your seat and aids, each session is tailored to offer a positive, progressive training experience grounded in kindness, partnership, and quiet progression.
BOOK A SCHOOLMASTER LESSON
Schoolmaster sessions are available by appointment using Natasha’s own horses. Based in West Sussex, she offers these private lessons to adult riders seeking to explore classical movements and develop their feel for correct riding. All sessions include a 45-minute ride followed by a 15-minute feedback discussion for reflection.
Lessons are booked via email and arranged around your goals—whether that's improving consistency in transitions, developing lateral work, or simply enjoying a calm, structured ride on an experienced horse.
MEET YOUR SCHOOLMASTER
RIDING INSTRUCTOR
NATASHA OLIVANT
A highly experienced equestrienne and passionate advocate for Classical Dressage, Natasha Olivant has been inspiring and guiding riders for over 20 years.
Based in the South of England, Natasha travels widely to deliver clinics and demonstrations, offering private and group coaching with a focus on rider performance and biomechanics. Her sessions are tailored to help riders refine their posture and movements, resulting in tangible improvements to their horse's way of going.
With a deep foundation in equine behaviour and psychology, Natasha addresses a wide range of challenges, fostering a harmonious and trusting partnership between horse and rider. The result is progressive, mindful riders and contented horses, working together to achieve their goals with understanding and respect.
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DO I NEED MY OWN HORSE FOR LESSONS?Most clients use their own horse, but Natasha's Dressage Schoolmasters are available depending on location and availability. All lessons are private and arranged around what works best for you and your riding goals.
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I'M RETURNING TO RIDING AFTER A BREAK-IS THIS RIGHT FOR ME?Many clients are returning riders looking to rebuild confidence and connection. Lessons are calm, supportive and biomechanically focused, with a strong emphasis on creating a harmonious balance between rider and horse using the application of horse behavioural principles in training. All lessons are tailored to suit your and the horse's current ability, whether you’re starting again, refining your skill set, or looking to overcome long-standing habits/confidence issues. No rider or horse is ever pushed beyond their comfort zone and all lessons pursue a calm and mindful objective.
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WHAT HAPPENS IN A FIRST RIDING LESSON?Every new client starts with a private session that includes an informal rider assessment. This may be ridden or if you have a horse that has ridden issues may be inhand and unmounted. This helps Natasha understand your starting position and build confidence with horse and rider in order to build a flexible training programme around your needs. Sometimes a horse and rider combination have different needs and therefore the Dressage Simulator and Natasha's Schoolmaster horses can bridge that riding gap.
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WHAT AREAS DO YOU COVER FOR RIDING LESSONS?Natasha travels across West Sussex, Surrey, and Hampshire, including locations like Chichester, Petersfield, Haslemere, and Guildford. A travel fee applies beyond 10 miles from Charlton, West Sussex. All Schoolmaster Lessons on Natasha's own horses currently take place in Trotton, near Petersfield, GU31 5EL.
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ARE GROUP LESSONS AVAILABLE?All sessions on Natasha's Schoolmasters are private and one-to-one. This allows for focused attention and a personalised approach that suits your ability, experience, and confidence level. If a group of friends who have their own horses are interested in having group lessons, please get in touch and we can arrange this.
SERVICE AREA
West Sussex and surrounding counties
Natasha offers mobile riding instruction at your own yard or preferred location, travelling frequently to areas including Chichester, Petworth, Petersfield, Haslemere, Liss, Midhurst, and Guildford, as well as rural parts of the South Downs.
Centrally based in Charlton, West Sussex, Natasha covers a 10-mile local area without travel charge. A mileage-based fee applies beyond this, ensuring flexible access to classical riding tuition and confidence-building instruction wherever you’re located.
BOOKING POLICY
All bookings are handled directly via email and arranged to suit your availability. Lessons are offered Monday through Saturday, and your timeslot is tailored to the pace and progress that suits you and your horse best.
All new clients must fill out a rider registration form. Every new rider begins with an initial assessment, allowing Natasha to build a bespoke training plan aligned with your experience, goals, and horse’s needs.
Hat hire is not provided — riders must bring their own fitted safety equipment.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations made with less than 48 hours’ notice are non-refundable due to limited lesson availability.
With more notice, your session may be rebooked within six months of the original date.
As this is an outdoor and all-weather activity, lessons continue in rain or shine unless conditions are deemed unsafe.
Please ensure your location has a safe, suitable surface for ridden work to go ahead.
