Rider Anatomical Awareness

Drawing from a 25+ year history of assistant teaching and daily application of The Alexander Technique, fitness training, dance, movement, ensemble performance arts & T'ai Chi learn how to optimally co-operate with your body's natural (or un-natural*) design via explorations of human anatomy & function . (*The Alexander Technique CAN be explored by those recovering from injuries or living with uncommon bone structures.)

Dressage & Alexander Technique

A pivotal moment in her equestrian career 25+ years ago, CJ began studying The Alexander Technique via an NYU Professor while simultaneously embarking on her journey in Classical Dressage at Overpeck Academy in Leonia, NJ. (Sister facility to Claremont Riding Academy, NYC, where CJ worked.) Mind & horseback riding transformed, CJ immediately took a 10 year, daily-apprenticeship as an assistant "AT" teacher and has been a passionate student & teacher of horse & rider biomechanics ever since.

Equine Reconditioning - Physical

CJ has over 10 years experience additionally in the physical rehabilitation of horses. From elite conditioning to having run a horse sanctuary for over 10 years she is very experienced at vet-tech'ing, rehabbing long-term and short term injuries, illnesses, surgical recoveries, re-conditioning horses from layup and/or elite athletic conditioning.

Roots & Relaxation

A great source of fun, relaxation, further exploration & perfection for CJ is returning to her roots as a Western horsewoman. Started as a cowgirl, trail competitor and barrel racer on American Quarter Horses at the age of 4 years old, CJ will never look down on her Western roots - in fact they remain one of her greatest sources of pleasure & decompression to this day. CJ loves to train & compete in Team Penning, Sorting, Ranch Versatility, coach & put in a long day's work on the ranch.

Centered, Dressage-Based Saddle Seat

With her extensive & fundamental knowledge of horse & rider biomechanics, CJ has a passion for imparting lightness, softness & genuine "throughness" to Saddle Seat riders worldwide. Having grown up enjoying many Saddle Seat Arabians, including one of her own, CJ integrates tools from The Lightness Foundation, the Dressage Pyramid of Training, Centered Riding and The Alexander Technique as she assists many riders achieve humane, energetic, beautiful, relaxed equitation from Park to Pleasure.

Equine Reconditioning - Behavioral

CJ has had tremendous success in the behavioral rehabilitation of "damaged" horses. Pictured here is Lucy Liu, a mare who, upon intake, rivaled the "problem" horse in "Buck" - with constant attempts to attack anyone in her space. Lucy went on to compete in the ribbons in Dressage at DelMar, became our most trusted lesson & trail horse with 5 year old students, an EAGALA "healer" & *THE* inspiration for The Healing Spirit Foundation. She remains our "Hero" story and forever in our hearts, RIP.

Dressage and "Classical" Riding

"...classical has nothing to do with the discipline. For me a classical rider is able to train his horse for what he wants to do, without damaging the horse’s body or mind. A good cowboy can be (is) a classical rider, if he is a good cowboy…” - Gerd Heuschmann

Elasticity & Balance

Explore the vital roles of a) balance, b) building blocks and c) the abundant variety of relaxed elastic connections.

"Throughness"

With Relaxed, Rhythmic Breathing, Balance and Conscious Suppleness In Our Muscles, Harmony & Fluidity Are Possible

Minimalist Precision, Energy Economy

Discover and explore how *little* movement and energy is needed from ourselves and our horses to achieve our desired outcomes.

Learn, Explore & Trust "Feel"

Feel is not elusive or unattainable. Becoming a "feeling" rider takes quietness, calmness, patience and a commitment to discover horses versus being an unfair dictator to them...

Balance, Lightness & Humanity

Learning Feel and a Competent Understanding of Biomechanics gives us the Freedom to: Improve Our Balance, Improve Engagement & Impulsion, Create Lighter, More Conscious Connections and Enjoy Humane, Liberated Rides - To Quote This Student On The Body-To-Rein-To-Mouth Cycle of Connection: "It's like I'm asking them to Move Into My Trust..."

Centered & In-Hand Line Driving

From learning the basics & benefits of (non-connected) in-hand line-driving, to examining them by putting them safely into use on the ground before "connecting," CCH can guide you from absolute beginner driver to experienced conditioner and/or competitive sportsman with our background in in-hand line driving and Centered Driving

Enduring Energy (further discovery)

Economizing body use for horse, rider and team proves crucial in Endurance events. Allow our knowledge of Alexander Technique and Equine Biomechanics to assist you in gaining that competitive edge and/or, at a minimum, learning how to co-operate with your natural design for improved balance & enduring "ease of use."

Flatwork & Cross-Country

Though, due to a car accident, CJ is mostly retired from jumping, she thoroughly enjoys Cross-Country riding with friend, Connie Arthur at Lone Tree Farms. Cross Country harkens back to her days as an English trail rider, traversing with friends up and down and all around the endless farms and fields of Sussex County. Today she claims preference to it over stadium jumping, despite a very decent and joyful youth career show jumping.

Competency & Showmanship

Expand Your Competency Horizons Learning From World Renowned, Published Equestrian Experts & Fellows about The Art of Fine, Competitive Horsemanship and Horse Stewardship in our CCH Partner and/or Field Trip Clinics and/or CCH-Facilitated Private Lessons

Local Field Trips - Medical

Between a mother who ran the ER in her hometown & growing up practicing animal husbandry in 4-H, CJ has a passionate interest in equine internal & sports medicine. Friends with many veterinarians and local equine hospitals, she is always happy to take team members on Equine Hospital Field Trips. Some students have been so inspired by CCH's hands-on learning program, they have gone on to major in equine veterinary medicine, kinesthesiology and biomechanics in college themselves.

Grooming

Learn not only HOW to Competently And Professionally Groom Horses but also the Health & Partnership Benefits of WHY We Groom Horses

Tacking

Competent understanding of Horse & Rider Biomechanics, Saddle Fit, and the Purposes & Functions of Equestrian Equipment are the groundwork for Competent, Humane & Harmonious Horseback Riding

Local Events & Playdays

Hitch a ride with us as we haul out to local riding events

There Are No "Mindless Trail Horses"

In a single ride, explore the benefits of Conscious Connections Horsemanship by experiencing first hand the enlivening changes attainable through conscious, elastic and balanced connections - even with (unfairly labeled) seemingly unconscious trail horses. Who knows?! Many have connected with a buddy for life!

Trail Riding Excursions

Field Trips - Overnight/Educational

Destination Lessons & Teambuilding

Field Trips - Overnight/Riding

Cross Country Excursions

Destination Clinics

Horses For Hire

Performer and On-Set Coaching

With Conscious Connections Horsemanship CJ has a very special gift in helping absolute beginners not only feel but actually be authentically safe while in the saddle or handling horses. She has a gift in genuinely calming & imparting competent confidence in performers so they can execute their required images of authentic horsemanship.

Horse Wrangling & Agility

Pictured here with her Wrangler Jeans campaign horse, Flash/Kern's Rocket Show, CJ swears by the benefits of good Agility and groundwork training for all horses, no matter their ultimate discipline. She has performed in stage shows with Animal Planet Pet Star Champion, Golden Nugget and also has experience with Trick & Liberty Training. You can often find her out and about, pushing the envelope with Flash & her other horses when her fellows have hung up their hats for the day.

Film/TV Feature Performer/Stuntwoman

While CJ has assisted many performers portray authentic horsemanship from behind the camera, she is also a seasoned entertainer & performer herself. Pictured here, on the set of "Out West" with her onscreen husband, gifted actor, director, producer & literary philanthropist, Sean Astin.

Therapeutic Visits

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy incorporates horses experientially for mental and behavioral health therapy and personal development. It is a collaborative effort between a licensed therapist and a horse professional working with the clients and horses to address treatment goals. Jake, pictured here, "chewing on something."

Equine Assisted Growth & Learning

CJ has experienced, first-hand, the many powerful life-metaphors horses present to us. She has, countless times, witnessed the healing power horses present to people of all walks of life, whether they be experienced horsemen or not. CJ is a Certified EAGALA Equine Specialist and has been facilitating NON-mounted Equine Assisted Growth & Learning & Psychotherapy for over 10 years now. Pictured here is Sultan's Spirit, one of the founding inspirations for The Healing Spirit Foundation.

Lifelong Friends & Partnerships

Volunteer

Horsing Around

CJ Bailey

Click link for bio.