OUR TOWN
Trainer Heather Giragosian coaches student Emily Tomlinson as they make their way around the arena during a lesson. The basics of safety and controlling the horse are stressed early on in horseback riding lessons.
GETTING IN THE SADDLE Take a test ride in the saddle before you pony up for a horse Story and photos by Gregory D. Cook
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or some, it's about the bond that forms between a horse and its rider as they work the ranch, or the beauty and majesty of a horse at full gallop as it leaps over obstacles on a jump course. For others, it can simply be about a leisurely ride on a lazy afternoon. Whatever the reasons, there’s no denying that Bakersfield is a horse town, and for many of us, there is a magic about the idea of riding a horse that stirs something deep within us. Of course owning a horse is a commitment that comes with a long list of responsibilities. Fortunately, there are a few places in Bakersfield that can “show you the ropes,” so to speak, and teach potential horsemen and women the basics before they commit to owning. “I always recommend that person take lesson before they even think about buying a horse,” said Heather Giragosian, a trainer at PDM Stables. “You need to know what you are get74
Bakersfield Life Magazine
August 2014
Cole receives a cooling shower from rider Melani Thrasher after a lesson at PDM Stables. Students are responsible for grooming their horses before and after each lesson.