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Tuesday 8am - 6pm Wednesday 8am - 6pm Thursday 8am - 6pm Friday 8am - 6pm Saturday 8am - 6pm

Great Scot Riding & Training

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United States
Spotsylvania, VA
Great Scot Riding & Training

Welcome to Great Scot Riding & Training where the focus is on building strong foundation skills for riders both on horse and off.

The main focus is mental coaching and goal setting. The sport of horseback riding is much like golf, it is very individual and is 80% mental. Though we are riding on a horse, the success achieved is not only on the skill of both horse and rider but on the focus that goes into the methods being learned. Whether for competition or for pleasure the joy and beauty that comes from this sport is truly w

hat you as an individual puts into it. My greatest pleasure as a trainer and coach is watching many hours of hard work come forth from a cheek to cheek smile by achieving a canter for the first time or a first time ribbon won in the show ring. Elisabeth (Lisi) Swanson, Owner/Trainer I have grown up in the industry, working very hard to climb the ladder. I have been blessed beyond measure to have trained and shown under many great professionals, taking theories and methods that worked for me and carrying them into my own programs. I take great pride in my teaching and training to not only develop great riders, but in building students and horses that love what they do. Elisabeth (Lisi) Swanson, Owner/Trainer
I have grown up in the industry, working very hard to climb the ladder. I also am very close to earning my small “r” license to become a licensed judge. I feel this will make me more valuable to my students who are more serious about showing and being more competitive in the show ring. As much as I love the teaching and riding portion of my job, I find myself drawn to the horse/barn management side of my business. It is so rewarding to hear the nickers at feed time or the pawing when they know turnout time is near. It is humbling for me to have the privilege of being entrusted to care for my clients horses and keeping very high standards at Great Scot. As a business our number one goal is having happy horses.

01/10/2025

Oh look, still more white stuff. And it being 12 degrees last night it's icy to boot !! But you know what ? My indoor let's me keep my ones that need to work, in working order and my mental health is on the up and up, since I decided to not teach lessons this week. My boy and I are playing between chores and I even took a snooze 😴 today 🙌 winter is for eating extra food and resting ( I learned this from the 🦄 unicorns)

01/08/2025

I don't do it often but this week is just too bloody cold !! So no lessons until next Tues. We need to thaw and unicorns will be doing nothing but eating. Except for maybe a couple of my meat heads who need to work so their brains don't malfunction 😂🥶 please check in here or my phone so I know you know, I don't want to see you. I'm too cold. whoever wants to come out Saturday to groom a unicorn 🦄 feel free.

01/07/2025

One of my "snowbirds" , Oakley, who comes and stays with us end of Oct-april, thinks this snow is ridiculous!! He comes to get away from it from his home state of Wisconsin and though he's a professional in this cold stuff he's not amused 🥶😫 we need to get through this really cold week and than maybe just maybe we can thaw out.

01/02/2025

How we roll when it's 27 degrees out!! Heater and indoor arena. I typically will get straight to the point in our winter lessons. We get in, put in some work and get horse untacked and out to eat 😂😂 eating keeps the unicorns warm, chubby and tolerant of having to cart us around in sub zero temperature 🌡 😂 if you train with me you know, there is always work to be done. But I definitely have had to modify my program since moving here to Virginia. It's HARD to ride when it's this cold, so I'm so proud of my students who show up. They are so tough and so diligent. I'm equally as proud of my students who know themselves, and say no thank you, I'll see you on the next 60 degree day... this is being respectful of my time and my horses time. It doesn't make them any less of an equestrian, it makes them honest and I can't ask for any more than that ✔️👌

12/31/2024

Closing 2024 off with a BANG !! HUGE thunder and lightning, wind and some hail. And of course right when it's time to bring everyone inside for the evening

12/22/2024

Public service announcement: never, ever have an agenda when it comes to horses !! What we want, is not always in line with what they want. I talked alot this week in lessons about "your joy meter" , if it's not getting filled you need to reevaluate. We are involved with these animals because we love them, it should not be because we have something to prove. If it's not ABOUT THE HORSE than it is for the wrong reasons. Today was a great example. Took a small, brave group to a show. The temp's were 34 with snow flurries, the venue was running way behind on schedule and after trotting around in the "warmup" ring my students came up to me and said We are good 👍, we can go home 🤣🤣🥶👌 the point is, it doesn't make us any less of an equestrian if the end result is not a ribbon or a clear round. The fact that they got up, got dressed, trailered an hour away and rode was enough for that day

12/17/2024

The annual Great Scot Riding & Training Christmas party at the beautiful Woodbrook Farm Vineyard went off last night !! Got almost no pictures because we were having too much fun. I am so very grateful for all the wonderful people in this village. Thank you to my mom and dad who are always so gracious with their time and attention to my clients ( they are nicer than I am 😆) thank you each and everyone of you who came out, participated in the activities and for spoiling me with your wonderful gifts. So thoughtful 💕

12/16/2024

Couple of licky lick licks on this cold day. Not sure why the cement slab was so yummy today but.... here we are. They make me smile. This is our quarter horse crew Oakley, Johnny and Cooper is refereeing from the background 🤣🤣

12/13/2024

Reminder !!!! If you haven't RSVP'D to Christmas party on Monday evening please do so this week. It is a catered event and I need a head count. Invite is on the events section. Thank you

12/10/2024

A little behind on the unicorns Christmas Wish List, but many of you have been asking so here goes. These are some things the unicorns need and or use on the daily: black cotton lead ropes, gelly curry combs, mane and tail brushes (not Oster brand), Show Sheen, Durasol, Effol hoof moisturizer and COOKIES!!
Things the unicorns could use but don't always have the funds for are : chiropractic adjustments (150), massage (75), new halters when older ones need replacement (only leather or rope, don't use nylon) , anything from Mary's Botanicals (www.marysbotanicals.com)
Thank you for loving these horses, they are special in every way and thrive at their job when students truly love them, not only by giving them scratches and cookies but by riding well, striving to be stronger, more balanced !! ❤️ Merry Christmas from the Great Scot Crew

11/29/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Great Scot Riding & Training!! So thankful to all of our clients who choose to come to our beautiful slice of heaven and train and enjoy learning what these beautiful animals have to teach us ❤️❤️

11/28/2024

What horrible, terrible, wonderful person left these in the barn yesterday!!!?? My favorite 😋😋

11/27/2024

Huge believer in small business networking!! And when you find good ones shout praise from the roof tops because that's how they will stay in business. So Knights Branch Farm hands down one of the most professional gals you'll meet !! Paula does impeccable work, turnaround is prompt and communication is a 10. She gets our blankets cleaned , repaired and waterproofed and returns them in easy to use bags. So in the spring I'm ready to stuff them full of dirty blankies and send back.... oh and extra bonus points, she's British so everything sounds better when she calls 🤣🤣🇬🇧

11/25/2024

Our hay shed becomes a disaster from week to week !! So every other month we commit to cleaning it all out. It's quite the task, we usually throw the "good scrap" out in the pastures and sweep all the nasty out than we blow all the nests and cobwebs. It definitely helps keep unwanted pests away. But whew not great for the sinuses. cleanliness

11/22/2024

A little Harriet update, she's been doing really well. Gaining weight each week ! We moved into a new paddock today, has a slight hill to it and some pretend grass in it 😆 I can't tell you how much joy this little mare brings me personally. She's so so sweet. Has a very quiet thankful demeanor. I get excited to take her on her walks, she's just wonderful to be around. Next in her program is building muscles , so we are beginning to walk 15 min a day around the property. We are also starting to stand on balance blocks to work on core strength 💪

11/21/2024

We have been working our butt's off this month with building core strength and balance with no stirrups !! As we transition into the colder months the boss lady and her family are taking some time to relax, rewind and recharge. Please note no lessons starting on the 30th-9th. ALL LESSONS WILL RESUME BEGINNING ON TUESDAY THE 10TH.

11/17/2024

Started the winter series off today at the lovely Beverly Equestrian took a small group to go play and boy did they kick butt!!! Of course hanging out with our friends Bayberry Riding Center always makes it double fun. Arlen made his debut on the little HONE-y, Tango !! So much fun, even came home with a blue ribbon. Kendra and sweet Cupano Z put in the most solid round. Turner AC and her talented boy Fash flew around the 2'6 in great form. Great job guys

11/12/2024

Starting the week off with big smiles from our beloved boy, Louie. Going to be chilly this week so hopefully this pic warms you up ❤️❤️

Address

8736 Lawyers Road
Spotsylvania, VA
22551

Opening Hours

Tuesday	8am - 6pm
Wednesday	8am - 6pm
Thursday	8am - 6pm
Friday	8am - 6pm
Saturday	8am - 6pm

Telephone

+19517751197

Website

http://www.greatscotriding.com/

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Videos

I don't do it often but this week is just too bloody cold !! So no lessons until next Tues. We need to thaw and unicorns will be doing nothing but eating. Except for maybe a couple of my meat heads who need to work so their brains don't malfunction 😂🥶 please check in here or my phone so I know you know, I don't want to see you. I'm too cold. #sorrynotsorry whoever wants to come out Saturday to groom a unicorn 🦄 feel free.

Closing 2024 off with a BANG !! HUGE thunder and lightning, wind and some hail. And of course right when it's time to bring everyone inside for the evening #realcuteVirginia

Cutest boy checking out the indoor like a pro

Lots of work still to put in, but not too shabby for a month in together

This clip shows our new custom nameplates for the unicorns gear made by one of my very talented clients Brian Mahoney I wish I could tag him !!! They are so beautiful and exactly what I wanted. This clip also shows what's waiting for everyone this week 😉😄👍 #puttinginthework #nostirrupnovember #nostirrupsnoproblem