Lesson Program and IEA Team | Our Instructors | Home School Program

THE LESSON PROGRAM AT HERITAGE FARM

In addition to our main business of buying and selling horses, we have a very strong lesson program at the farm. Thanks to our constant turnover of horses, we have the opportunity to choose top-notch lesson horses.

We accept riders aged six and up, right through adults. Beginning riders, or those new to the farm, begin in private lessons. Once they are at an appropriate level, and if there is a group at a convenient time, riders may join group lessons. Three to six riders comprise a group lesson.

Lessons are offered every afternoon, after school. We have an 80'x144' indoor ring with a heated viewing room, therefore we hold lessons all winter long.

During the warmer weather, we can also use any of our three outdoor rings, which allows us to accomodate more than one group lesson at a time.

Since 2008 Heritage Farm has had an IEA team. IEA stands for Interscholastic Equestrian Association, which is an organization for riders in grades 6-12. Riders travel as team to horse shows hosted by stables around New England that also have IEA teams. The hosting show facility provides the horses of various levels. Riders find out their horse by draw prior to class. There is no warm-up allowed. All riders are judged equally on unknown horses. Riders enter and show in level-appropriate classes, meaning similar level riders compete against each other. Riders earn points for themselves as well as the team by pinning in their classes.

We require every rider to take a team lesson each week, in addition to their regular weekly lesson. Our IEA team has gotten a terrific response from riders and their parents. In fact, many local riders have joined our team in order to take part in the IEA with us.  Our team has grown in number, skill and enthusiasm with each passing season.

For more information about the IEA, please go to rideiea.com, and about our team specifically, please contact us here at the farm.

2009 has been a very exciting year at Heritage Farm! Our lesson program has expanded to include more western lessons as well as a more intense focus for hunt seat riders looking to compete in a fun and affordable manner. Between our many events held at the farm as well as options for riders looking to travel, Heritage Farm riders have no limits on their opportunities to ride! Meet our instructors that help prepare riders for the wide world of horses.

Diane Raucher Miller
Diane has grown up on the farm and oversees the lesson schedule as well much of the office work. She is equally comfortable in English or Western tack. As a young rider she showed hunt seat through high school then got the western bug as team penning hit New England. Diane is a thorough and safety-conscience instructor that can easily adapt from teaching young children up to adults. Her basic philosophy is that the basics can’t be rushed. She ensures that each rider develops a solid leg, good seat and soft hands which will allow them to ride any discipline well as they progress.

In addition to her many skills at the barn, Diane is also a MA Elementary School Teacher with several years’ experience as a substitute teacher behind her.

As mommy to Riley, born Dec ’06 and Erin, born Feb ’09, she stays very busy but hopes to get back into riding shape as her kids grow up around the farm.


David Raucher
David has, of course, ridden since a small child. His junior years saw many accomplishments as a hunt seat rider and polo player. During the 90’s, his interest shifted to western sports, as he tried his hand at everything from cutting to team penning. Recognizing the value of a truly versatile ranch horse, such as the ones we buy and sell here at Heritage Farm, David helped introduce the New England Stock Show Series to the area. As a personal goal, he and his Quarter Horse Fanny (Colonel’s Little Gal) competed in the 2008 Equine Affaire’s Versatile Horse and Rider Contest, proudly earning 3rd place.

Although an excellent instructor, David has shied away from giving lessons for many years. With the growth of the cattle and western sports, David has gotten back into the swing of coaching riders, these days mainly in western tack. Many novice riders have benefitted from David’s advice during numerous cattle clinics or stock show events.

Beginning in 2008 Heritage Farm became the host stable for the Mt Holyoke College Western Team, which has further cemented David back into the “Instructor” line of work. The MHC riders come from a varied background; some have ridden extensively but only hunt seat or dressage, others are relieved to find their western interests are now being met here in the east.



Anne Carey
An Easthampton native and certified “Heritage Farm Barn Kid” Anne is all but a member of the Raucher family. She has ridden with us since age 10 and has spent time learning from each of the Raucher family, in addition to many clinics throughout the years.

Anne uses her hunt seat background by teaching Saturday lessons, bringing along every level rider in a friendly and inviting manner. These days, Anne’s personal western interests and goals have driven her to compete regularly in the Stock Show Series. She is also a big part of the MHC Western Team by assisting David with the coaching during those lessons. When not at the barn Anne is teaching 1st grade at a public school in Springfield.

Allison Guerin

Originally from Williamstown MA, Alli grew up riding and training with Lisa DeMayo of Bonnie Lea Farm, where she learned a solid foundation in hunt seat riding by riding a wide variety of horses and competing at every level of horse shows in hunter, equitation and jumpers divisions. Her college years at Centenary College furthered her education in horsemanship, riding, showing and teaching, especially by riding with many different instructors and clinicians and through her experience on the IHSA team. Alli graduated in 2004 with a BS in Equine Studies with a concentration in teaching and training.

Alli’s been an instructor at Heritage Farm since 2005. She brings to her lessons a sense of structure, a value of the basics of equitation and the importance of hard work, fitness and effort when working with horses of every breed, age and level of training.

In 2008 Heritage Farm began an IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association) team. Alli has brought her experience in the IHSA to coaching her IEA team in the best ways to adjust quickly to new horses and compete in horse shows with skill and class. This show team has been a welcome addition to our riding program as it offers riders a unique and affordable opportunity to work towards goals in their weekly lessons.

During the school year Alli is a 1 on 1 aide at West Springfield High School.



Each of our instructors has a slightly different background, which broadens the scope of our lessons. However, the one common factor is that each has ridden innumerable horses of every size, shape, discipline and experience throughout their life. They can use these experiences in their teaching as they help riders ride the best way possible to meet their goals. As any seasoned horse person will advise, the best way to ride well is to ride often.

Home School Program


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