About Clarice
Certified Massachusetts' Horseback Riding Lesson Instructor
Learn more about Clarice Wigsten, her years of riding experience (starting when she was 10), and how she transitioned into teaching fulltime horseback riding lessons in Massachusetts.
How It Began
Reading the Heartland book series started my journey with horses. Soon after, I began bugging my parents to take horseback riding lessons. I started riding lessons at the age of 10 years old and fell in love with a small, feisty pony named Katie. She was challenging to ride, but I was determined to earn her respect. I rode her nearly every Sunday for two years and eventually I did earn her respect. This in turn made me a much better rider.
My Mentors
I have had many excellent horseback riding instructors over the years, including a grand prix show jumper and multiple advanced event riders, but the person that influenced my riding career the most was 3-time Olympian, Michael Page. I spent over a year working for Michael, riding between 3-5 horses every day under his guidance. As the years pass, I am just starting to understand how deep and profound the concepts were that he was trying to teach me.
My Goal
In my career, out of all the things I have accomplished, I am most proud of how dedicated I am to being an overall good horseman, not just a rider. I take pretty much every opportunity I can to learn more about groundwork, saddle fitting, shoeing, nutrition, veterinary medicine, barn management, etc. I feel that we have plenty of good riders in this world, but unfortunately true horsemen are a dying breed. My goal is to help my students not only be good riders, but good horsemen as well.