Darla Ryder – has over 40 years experience in putting horses, people and programs together. Shown here with a happy, confident,and successful first time vaulter. 

She started at the age of eight with bareback and western riding and in her early twenties spent two years overseas under the tillage of an instructor with the BHS (British Horse Society).

            Her career with horses has been varied in both breeds and disciplines. She has raised and shown Quarter, Arabian, Appaloosa and Miniature Horses. Darla has successfully served as not only an instructor but a trainer, facility/equine manager for a hunter/jumper barn, a cutting horse facility herd manager and as the Executive Director for a Therapeutic Riding Center .

.            She is certified at the highest master level with CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association) in it’s Standard Certification, Instructors of Riders with Disabilities, Facilities Management and Vaulting Certification Programs. She has been certified as an instructor with NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) and EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association). She teaches College Level Courses as well as having served as an Expert Witness in Equine Program litigations.

                        Darla has presented mounted and classroom presentations at workshops Nationwide and was named CHA 2003 Clinic Instructor of the Year for her creative, entertaining and educational presentations at riding instructor certification clinics. 

A Personal Note from Darla - When I was very young and growing up in a rural area of Fort Worth Texas, most homes in my neighborhood were measured by how many acres or points of acres they had rather than as today by how many feet long and wide a lot is.  Zoning laws were loose or non existent so many people in the community had horses.

                 It was also an era when nothing was thought of children ranging far from home or gaining permission to ride other people’s horses. Everyone knew everyone else and parents were assured that everyone was watching out for everyone else’s children .I was so horse crazy that I would do anything, clean garages, scoop poop, rake, mow, whatever so I had permission to ride lots of the neighborhood horses.

One of these neighbors was a retired colonel in the military and had been in the cavalry in both World War 1 and WW 2. I was not a very large child so he taught me how to “outthink a horse” rather than try to “outmuscle” it. He taught me how to make the horse want to be with me rather than make the horse come along.

Reflecting back, I now wish I had paid more attention and asked more questions. He was a remarkable man who I’m sure took a lot of calvary training methods with him. He was the original “Horse Whisperer” for me and I was a willing pupil.

All my life with horses I have used these methods and they have proved tried and true for me as well. My desire is to share them so that others can experience the joy and companionship of a horse that truly is a friend and wants to be with his/her human partner.

I hope you learn to ride and listen with your whole body.

Sincerely - DARLA RYDER

PROFESSIONAL CURRENT INVOLVEMENT

          Since 1995, 14 years experience, as a Clinic Instructor for CHA. At the end of this year (2009) will have certified over 600 individuals nationwide as Instructors in the CHA Standard Program, Instructors of Riders with Disabilities program and the Recreational Vaulting Clinics. Named CHA 2003 CLINIC INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR.

            Since 1996, 13 years as a workshop presenter and Lecturer in equine safety, risk management and equine care and training to various groups including, girl scouts, 4-H, pony clubs, etc.

           Since 1999, 10 years Site Inspector for compliance of standards of facilities applying for CHA Accreditation status.

           Since 2002, providing personal training and consultation to individuals or programs involved with able bodied clientele and/or programs providing service to the physical, mental, and behavioral/ emotionally challenged populous. Assisting with the planning of new programs.

           Since 2004, – Have done work as an “Expert Witness” in cases involving safety and risk management at equine facilities. Reference: Julie Ferstman author of "Equine Law" and other publications of safety and risk management.

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PAST PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

2006 - 2007 - Taught instructor course at Eastern Oklahoma State College

1997 - 2004 Served as the Executive Director of the Right Track Horsemanship  Academy located in Weatherford Texas. Right Track has in the past had as many as 100 students per week and up to 30 head of horses at one time to manage. Its students were able bodied as well as riders with special needs. A very active Vaulting Club was also managed. 

1999 - 2003 - Taught Riding Instructor Course for Weatherford College

1997 - Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center,  Augusta, Mi. Instructor Training

1996 - Barnes Therapy Associates, Inc. Justin, Tx. Volunteer Leader, Sidewalker

1993 - 1995 - Rocky Top Therapeutic Riding Program, Keller, Tx. Office Manager and Volunteer Coordinator

1980’s - Barn Manager and trainer for Cutting Horse Facility - 25 head of horses - Reed Cutting Horses in Grandview, Texas

1970’s - Manager and trainer Hunter Jumper Barn - 30 head of horses - Post & Paddock Stables, Irving, Texas

               Manager and trainer Boarding and Western riding facility - 50 boarders plus training horses - Les Hardin Stable, Hurst, Texas