Eventing competitor offers equestrian training

Oracle Farms near Sisters has a new trainer and instructor. Allison Findlay, 23, is a recent graduate of Oregon State University and a longtime three-day eventing competitor.

Findlay offers reasonably priced lessons to beginner through intermediate adults and children, on clients' own horses or on her lesson horses. Safety and horsemanship are emphasized and students are encouraged to figure out for themselves how far they want to go in their riding.

"I like to be motivating, but I don't want to push someone past their comfort zone," she said.

She also takes horses for training, and the facility offers full-care boarding.

Lessons, either flat or jumping, are $30 private; $25 semiprivate (two riders); $20 group (up to four riders). There is an additional $15 charge to use Findlay's lesson horses.

Findlay grew up in McCall, Idaho, with parents who were supportive of her equestrian endeavors. She began riding at age four, and eventing at eight. When the local eventing trainer left the area, Findlay's parents hauled her and her horse far and wide to attend clinics, many of which were out of state.

"I got the eventing bug and couldn't get rid of it," she said.

Her mother, Vicki Wade, began a Pony Club, and Findlay achieved her C3 rating before the club folded.

During her years of traveling to clinics and competing at events in several western states, Findlay rode on several Young Riders teams, training with eventing luminaries such at Bob McDonald and Jimmy Wofford. She credits the exposure to a variety of clinicians with helping her develop a range of teaching techniques.

After early graduation from high school, Findlay headed to California to be a working student with noted trainer and clinician Wendy Wergeles. The farm she was based from was a thoroughbred breeding facility, raising race and sport horses.

She returned to the Northwest, attending Oregon State University to earn a degree in human development and family science with a human services option. This normally leads graduates into social work, but jobs are scarce in that sector; hence Findlay's turn back to her passion, horses and teaching. Her education is valuable when she sits down with parents of her students, helping them understand her teaching goals of safety, horsemanship, respect and fun.

Her horse came to Corvallis with her, and Findlay competed when she could during her years at OSU. She was a member of the university eventing team her senior year. Her mare was boarded at a facility west of Corvallis, and Findlay trained with Brooke Phillips there. Phillips became her mentor, encouraging Findlay to continue teaching and giving her opportunities to do so. A serendipitous meeting last spring with Oracle Farms owner, Tracy Orr, at an event in California led to Findlay's arrival at the farm in September.

Findlay sees value in cross-training, attending jumping and dressage shows to keep her horses and herself tuned up. She encourages her students to do the same, and provides opportunities for them to do so.

Oracle farms is located on Goodrich Road east of Sisters.

For more information call 208-630-4644.