At Cornerstone Ranch, the goal for our riders is to work in harmony with the horses. The techniques and methods are from a scientific approach of training and riding created by Monte Foreman. We encourage the horse’s natural movement and full athletic ability by using humane methods which allow the horse to understand what is being asked and respond willingly to the rider. This allows the horse and rider to form a solid partnership, and have a lot more fun!
Every time one gets on a horse’s back, the rider can either positively or negatively affect the horses behavior and movement. There are constantly new things to be felt and learned from the horse. The instructors at Cornerstone are eager to help you become more balanced and communicative with horses; no matter what age, discipline, or level.
Sign up to start riding with Julia or Susan, and get on the right path to safely ride and handle horses while you fall in love with the process, camaraderie, and beautiful surroundings at Cornerstone Ranch.
Julia Connell
Head Riding Instructor
and Barn Manager
MA Licensed Riding Instructor since 2016
Julia Connell moved to Princeton with her family in 2000 where Cornerstone Ranch began on a lot of woods. Growing up on the Ranch and watching it grow as a facility and business fueled Julia’s passion for horses, and she began instructing in 2016. Julia travels to southern Arizona every year to learn at the Classical Stock Seat School of Arizona to progress her education and understanding of horses. She also has attended riding clinics in several states, and is passionate about continuing her education with horses.
As the Ranch’s instructor and barn manager, Julia oversees the trail rides, staff, barn and tack maintenance, riding arenas, scheduling, care and doctoring of the animals, and more. She demonstrates the commitment and responsibility needed to be a high quality instructor, importance of keeping tack and equipment in good condition, and the obligations a rider has to its program in order to succeed.
Julia follows and instructs The Basic Handle, a scientific approach to riding created by Monte Foreman in the 1950’s. The goal is to benefit the horse by encouraging its natural movement and promoting its’ full athletic ability, while using clear but gentle aids that the horse can understand. The methods taught allow the horse to understand and respond willingly to the rider. Julia encourages all of her students to be their best for the horse. Come take a lesson or workshop with Julia, and join the journey to fall deeper in love with the beauty of horses.
Susan Connell
Cornerstone Ranch Founder
MA Licensed Riding Instructor since 1988
Susan Connell, founder and owner of Cornerstone Ranch, has been around horses since childhood. Her parents were in the horse showing and breeding business, and were often either traveling for horse shows or training, or developing their own riding facility in Jefferson, MA. Throughout her youth horses were always her biggest calling, and her way to escape from life’s stresses. As a young adult working in different trades like waitressing, cleaning, and even starting a bookkeeping business, Susan was always brought back to horses and instructing.
Susan has always been passionate about horses, and is now helping others discover their love for them. She started instructing lessons in the late 80’s, and decided to fully commit to Cornerstone Ranch in 2004. Starting solely as a lesson barn, we have a strong foundation in instructing lessons in our program. Susan is the face of commitment, hard work. She is always training new youngsters, refining the older horses, and running the place on top of it! On a typical day, Susan works with at least 3 horses in training. She is a hard-working role model for all of the riders that come to Cornerstone.