Artemis Riding Academy

Introduction: Principal trainer and instructor, Liz Castelhano Silvia, started her riding career at the age of 7 in North Salem, NY. By age 8 she was showing ponies successfully and began training with Carol Jungherr Goldberg where she enjoyed great success at the AA show level. Liz moved on to work and ride with three-time Olympian Michael Page at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. After much success, Liz came to Virginia to continue her work at the top level of hunter show riding. She was an instructor at the prestigious and highly acclaimed Vienna Junior Riding School with the legendary Jane M. Dillon. In 1988 Liz was asked to run and operate Dogwood Farm in Great Falls, Virginia. There, Liz boarded over 30 horses and taught riding lessons to students from the ages of 4 through high school. She was also the riding instructor for the Madeira School in McLean, VA. Liz's experience spans from riding ponies and horses at Madison Square Garden, to teaching, to a career as horse show judge. Today, Liz offers you and your children the opportunity to learn to ride, develop great friendships in a safe and friendly family environment. You can be confident that you child will have attention and training from a loving professional who cares about your child, their progress, and success. Liz loves a barn filled with children. The children love her. In fact, many of her young students from Great Falls, now in their 20's still stay in touch with her and remind her of the great times they had riding with her. If your child has been asking to ride, and you want them to learn proper riding skills and horsemanship in a small, safe, and friendly environment, please call us to see for yourself how your child will benefit. Your child will learn all phases of riding and horsemanship. From safe handling of horses/ponies to effective riding skills to enable them to ride a number of different horses and progress from beginner to advanced rider. Our private lessons provide careful one-on-one time with Liz and your child. She will teach at your child's rate by encouraging success through careful explanation and demonstration. Group lessons are a fun and economic way of learning to ride through camaraderie and further observation of all instruction with each student. Liz designs careful and fun ways to teach children the joy of riding while continually reinforcing the positive. Through lessons on and off the horses/ponies, students learn respect, responsibility, and discipline while enjoying the challenges and forging friendships.