TDF's Dressage Lesson Program Survey

Dear U.S. Lesson Barn Owners and Instructors,

As a dressage lesson program facilitator, your support within the dressage community is vital. Without people like you, the future of American dressage would be in jeopardy. Your commitment to developing the next generation of riders is pivotal to the success of our sport at every level. We are seeking information on how TDF may be able to help United States dressage lesson programs in the future. Please take a few minutes to complete the following survey to help The Dressage Foundation better understand your needs, challenges and goals as a dressage-focused lesson barn. We greatly appreciate your input.

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* 1. Within your dressage lesson program, what is your role?

Trainer/Instructor

Facility Owner

Business Owner

Other (please specify)

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* 2. How many years has your dressage-focused lesson program been in operation?

Less than one year

1 to 3 years

3 to 5 years

5 to 10 years

10 years or more

Other (please specify)

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* 3. Do you or your instructors have any certifications?

United States Dressage Federation

British Horse Society

Certified Horsemanship Association

Other (please specify)

None of the above

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* 4. Approximately how many students do you serve per week?

1 to 3

4 to 7

8 to 11

12 to 15

16 plus

Other (please specify)

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* 5. Please select the response that is most true for you.

I am at capacity and cannot accept any more students.

I cannot accept more students due to resources such as a lack of lesson horses or arena time.

I would like the opportunity to teach more students but there is a lack of students.

If you’d like, please explain:

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* 6. What are the age ranges of your students? Please select all that apply.

Under Six

7 to 10

11 to 18

19 to 25

26 to 60

61 plus

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* 7. At what level do your students ride? Please select all that apply.

Beginner Rider

Introductory Level - Training Level

First Level - Second Level

Third Level - Fourth Level

FEI Level

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* 8. Do you provide lessons for people who are just starting or have never ridden before?

Yes

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* 9. What is the percentage of lessons that you give?

Private

Semi-Private

Group

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* 10. Do your students compete?

Yes

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* 11. If your students do compete, what types of events are they most likely to compete in?

Schooling shows

Licensed competitions

FEI Youth Divisions

Dressage Seat Equitation

Other (please specify)

None of the above

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* 12. Does your facility teach lessons in additional disciplines? If so, which ones?

Western Dressage

Hunter/Jumper

Eventing

Other (please specify)

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* 13. What percentage of your lessons are dressage?

50 percent

100

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 14. How many dressage lesson horses are in your program?

1 to 3

4 to 6

7 to 9

10 or more

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* 15. In what state are you located?

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* 16. What metropolitan area are you closest to and how far are you from it?

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* 17. Do you have trouble getting clients based on your location?

Yes

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* 18. What amenities do you have for your lesson program?

Indoor/Covered Arena

Outdoor Arena

Trails

Lesson equipment for use (saddles, helmets, boots, etc.)

Horses to lease

Other (please specify)

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* 19. What is the estimated average cost to maintain a lesson horse per year at your facility?

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* 20. At your facility, is the trainer and/or owner dependent on the income from the lesson horses?

Yes

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* 21. Does the lesson program cover the cost of your facility and its continued maintenance?

Yes

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* 22. Have you faced a major challenge, financially or otherwise, that impacted your ability to maintain a lesson program? If so, please describe.

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* 23. Besides finances, what other challenges do you face in maintaining a lesson program?

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* 24. Do you have any suggestions for how organizations like The Dressage Foundation can better support lesson programs?

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* 25. Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

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* 26. Would you be willing to be contacted if TDF has additional questions regarding your thoughts on dressage lesson programs? If yes, please leave your contact information below.

Yes

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* 27. Contact Information

Name

Address

Address 2

City/Town

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Email Address

Phone Number

100% of survey complete.