Meet Our Instructors

Lucile Bump is a Senior Centered Riding® Instructor/Clinician. She completed an apprenticeship with Sally Swift and worked closely with Sally for many years. As a result, she has intensive Centered Riding® training, an in-depth knowledge of the work, and is qualified to train all levels and disciplines of riders from beginners to instructors. As a Senior Centered Riding® Instructor, Lucile has applies advanced Centered Riding® techniques in her teaching regardless of the discipline; whether it is Western, Dressage, Jumping, Endurance, etc., she understands the foundations of how horse and rider work together. Lucile began riding around age 10 and grew up riding the wooded trails of Vermont. She rode all through school and competed regularly in Hunt Seat Equitation. Lucile met Sally Swift when she was 14, and continued to work closely with Sally after completing her apprenticeship. Lucile began her teaching career while attending college in Marlborough, Vermont. After graduation, Lucile went to work at a Morgan farm training horses, teaching riding lessons and doing some competing in Western and Saddleseat. In 1971 Lucile travelled to California to work with Linda Tellington-Jones at her riding instructors’ school. Upon her return to Vermont in 1972, Lucile purchased the farm that has become Southmowing Stables. Lucile has been teaching Centered Riding® to all levels and disciplines of riders for more than 45 years. In recent years, she has been asked to teach in Vienna, Austria (home of the Spanish Riding School!), Canada, Denmark, England, Germany, Holland, Scotland and Uruguay. Lucile has also had students come to Southmowing Stables from Switzerland, The Netherlands, Austria, Japan and Canada as well as from all over the United States.

Lucile is available to teach lessons, clinics, and Centered Riding Clinics: Open, Instructor, Advanced, and Update Clinics

Lesson Prices with Lucile

  • 1/2 Hour Private – $50.00
  • Hour Semi-Private – $50.00
  • Hour Private – $70.00
  • Hour Group – $40.00

Check with Lucile about clinic and camp rates.


Beth Kenny has been riding horses since she was 4 years old. Beginning with Sally Swift and Lucile Bump, Beth has ridden with many Centered Riding® instructors, eventually becoming one herself. Riding with many other clinicians, among them Francois Lemaire de Ruffieu, Verne Batchelder, Suzanne Mente, Allison Thurston, and Bill McMullin, Beth continues to broaden her knowledge and experiences. Beth has experience as a whipper-in, hunting regularly with the Guilford Hounds. She is experienced in dressage, eventing, jumping, vaulting, trail, distance trail riding, and foxhunting. Training and competing up to Prix St. George, Beth has earned both her Bronze and Silver medals from the United States Dressage Federation (USDF). She has trained horses at all levels of dressage and across multiple disciplines. Owner of Kenny’s Taekwondo School, Beth has earned her 5th Degree Black Belt and is a qualified Judge, teaching all ages and levels of students. She understands well the “use of self” and the amount of fitness and focus required to improve one’s skills in both sports. Beth teaches and trains at Southmowing Stables on a regular basis and also offers horsemanship camps during the summer.

Her rates are as follows:

    • Private hour: $65
    • Semi-private hour: $50
    • Group (3 or more riders): $40 each

Check with Beth about camp and training rates.


Carolyn Fairchild spent her early years bombing around the woods on her ponies and then as a teenager she received instruction from a dressage riding cowboy, who at one point, was a trick rider for Hollywood. Carolyn had a few lessons with Sally Swift around the time that Sally’s first book was published, an experience that influenced all of the riding that she did thereafter and one that led to her interest in dressage. She took dressage lessons from some local instructors, including Lucile Bump, and from clinicians Francois Lemaire de Ruffieu, Walter Zettl, and Lois Heyerdahl. In 2002, she became a Centered Riding Instructor and is currently a Level II Instructor. Using Centered Riding, Carolyn helps riders to find that natural balance that allows for safety of the rider and for enhanced communication with the horse. A professional teacher and tutor for local schools and colleges, Carolyn specializes in learning styles and how students learn best, further enhancing her teaching and lesson programs both on and off the horse.

Carolyn teaches at Southmowing mostly during the summer, offering lessons, camps, and clinics.

  • Hour Private: $60
  • Private lesson with trail lesson after: $80
  • Semi-private hour: $40 Group (3 or more riders): $35

Check with Carolyn about clinic and camp rates.


Dorothy Crosby is certified both as a Level III Centered Riding® Instructor/Clinician and a CHA Instructor for both English and Western riders. As Director of the Riding Program at Southmowing Stables in Guilford, VT., her responsibilities include horse management as well as overseeing the riding program. In addition, she manages a small farm in Stoddard, NH, where Equi-librium is based. Workshops, clinics, special events, and lessons are offered at both locations. Dorothy also travels for clinics and to instruct riders at other locations; she was pleased to present two Centered Riding workshops at Equine Affaire 2017.

Dorothy teaches a variety of disciplines to both adults and children, emphasizing safety and fun while learning about horses and their care: recreational riding, dressage, jumping, basic driving, long-lining, in-hand work, and horse management. Riding at a military style hunter barn as a child, she moved up the levels, working to become a Jr. Instructor during High School and then elected Equestrian Team Co-Captain during college. She furthered her equine education as a Veterinary Technician, and later became a 4-H Leader, Quiz Bowl Coach, and Pony Club Instructor. Since then, Dorothy has explored a variety of massage, training, and riding techniques, eventually finding classical training and Centered Riding, where she found her passion. Working through the instructor levels with Lucile Bump, Susan Harris, and Joan “Sam” Morrison as mentors, Dorothy achieved Clinician status in 2015. Pursuing more study to improve her teaching, her understanding of horses, and her own riding, she also continues lessons or clinics with Francois Lemaire de Ruffieu, Suzanne Mente and Sally Haney as well as other CR Clinicians. Dorothy is currently a contributing author for 4 Legs and a Tail Magazine. Dorothy loves what happens when humans and equines connect and form a partnership; her joy is in teaching horses and humans of all ages and levels of experience.

Dorothy teaches Open Centered Riding Clinics, themed clinics, unmounted workshops, and special events for kids and adults in addition to lessons. Her lessons include learning to groom and tack up the horse as needed. Her rates are as follows:

  • Private hour: $65
  • Semi-private hour: $50
  • Group hour (3 or more riders): $40
  • Private ½ hour: $50
  • Semi-private ½ hour: $30 (half hours not for brand new riders)
  • 45 minutes: private $55, semi-private $45, group: $35

Check with Dorothy for Special Event, Workshop, and Clinic rates.


Suzanne Mente has been teaching riders at Southmowing Stables since 2012.  She loves the fun atmosphere and has even been convinced to try hunting with the Guilford Hounds (twice!). She enjoys helping riders realize their potential and find creative ways to tap into their horse’s abilities.  Her teaching reflects the building blocks that help develop horses and riders as they move up the levels.  In addition to teaching, she coaches riders at both local and recognized shows and has helped students earn their USDF Bronze & Silver medals.  

Suzanne began teaching over 20 years ago.  She spent many years at UMass, teaching riding, equine management and coaching the dressage team.  She was voted coach of the year for the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (2010) and was inducted into their Hall of Fame.  Suzanne is a certified Level I instructor through the USEA (US Eventing Association), and a USDF L graduate (US Dressage Federation’s judge education program).  Suzanne judges shows throughout New England. 

Coupled with her riding instruction Suzanne is also a PMA certified Pilates Instructor. She likes to help all bodies move better…horses & humans!
Rates:

  • $65 for 45 minute private
  • $50 ½ hour private
  • $35 group

Contact Southmowing Stables at 802 257 9100 for information on lessons and instructors.

For more information about Centered Riding® please visit the Centered Riding® website at www.centeredriding.org