Palm Beach Riding Academy Launches New
‘Club PBRA’
Story by Deborah Welky • Photos by Abner Pedraza
When Sean Jones opened the doors to the Palm Beach Riding Academy in Wellington, he had a vision. “I felt there was a great need to create a program that catered more to the middle-class residents of Wellington, not just to the elite equestrians,” Jones said. “I wanted to create a community program that anyone could be a part of, whether or not they own a horse.” Now, 18 months later, Jones has enhanced the academy to offer more than just riding lessons with the new “Club PBRA” program. “Club PBRA emphasizes the art and sport of riding combined with the science and technique of horsemanship,” Jones explained. “It provides horse enthusiasts the opportunity to excel at a very high level, yet at an affordable cost, in a very traditional format.” The club offers a patented PBRA 5 Star Horsemanship Program, a modern-day version of the evolution of Pony Club fundamentals. Riders progress from star to star as they gain the confidence and capability to compete at ever higher levels. Level one is the foundation level, and by the time they get to the fifth level, “they’re virtually a professional,” Jones said. Benefits include a premium riding lesson once a week, two free rides per month, competitor access to some of the nation’s top horse shows at discounted rates (with quality horses provided) and two monthly theory lessons, conducted in a classroom environment. Community service opportunities are also offered for those who need them to fulfill school requirements. “It’s an ‘Intro to Horse Showing’ for new riders. You learn about the sport and the responsibility involved with it,” Jones said. “The club will also include lectures from top industry professionals and field trips to various equine locations.” Trainers, veterinarians, farriers, nutritionists, horse show staffers and more have been tapped to speak to Club PBRA members, each with a different professional insight into the equestrian world. 76
February 2014 |wellington the magazine| 10th Anniversary
Program