Leesburg, Virginia

A weird little family, with horses.

Lessons with Bevin, Carrie, and Sarah. We give each other a hard time. The riding is the part we take seriously.

Dressage and hunter/jumper(571) 276-4742
Two bay horses in their stalls at C'est Chevaux, navy stall guards on the doors
Photo: Mark Snyder

The barn

Not a normal barn.

C'est Chevaux is a small barn in Leesburg. We teach, we board, and we laugh at each other. If you ride here, you are in it with us.

People come through Bevin. She teaches, and she hands riders to Carrie and Sarah when that is the right fit.

The 3 C's

When a rider is calm, they find their control. When a rider is calm and in control, they find their confidence.

Three horses looking out of their stalls in the C'est Chevaux aisle
Photo: Mark Snyder

Instructors

Bevin, then Carrie and Sarah.

Bevin is the head trainer. Carrie and Sarah teach lessons. You pick who you are riding with when you book.

Bevin Nicholson with her horses at C'est Chevaux

Head trainer

Bevin Nicholson

Head trainer Bevin brings more than 40 years of equestrian experience to C'EST Chevaux. Raised at Stoneridge Farm in Great Falls, she learned early the importance of strong foundations and the value of riding a wide variety of horses and ponies.

Although Bevin grew up competing in the hunter ring, she later expanded into jumpers and dressage during college. Dressage, in particular, transformed her perspective on equitation and movement.

Committed to lifelong learning, Bevin continually studies techniques that benefit both horse and rider, including bodywork, saddle fitting, anatomy, and overall equine wellness. She has built a trusted network of veterinarians, farriers, saddle fitters, and fellow trainers to provide the best possible support for every horse in the program.

Above all, Bevin is passionate about sharing her knowledge and love of horses with riders of all ages and levels.

“Dressage has given me a new perspective on how the horse should move so they can travel straight and forward without the pulling of a rein.”

Bevin Nicholson
Sarah competing over a jump
Photo of Sarah

Lessons

Sarah

Sarah brings a background in Hunters and Equitation, as well as an approach grounded in focusing on rider-horse connection, trust and consistency. Raised at Full Circle Farm under Nicole Paez-Junkins, Sarah's foundation of riding is set in the importance of horsemanship and meaningful equitation.

Prior to training and coaching in the DMV area, Sarah competed on the Goucher College varsity equestrian team under Jennifer Smith and she holds a degree in Equine Studies from Goucher.

Sarah focuses on helping riders understand why we practice equitation and the importance of understanding the anatomy and connection of the horse. She believes rider/horse consistency and success go hand in hand, both in and out of the saddle.

Lessons

Carrie

Carrie teaches lessons at the barn. Her photo is on the way. Book a time and she will take it from there.

At the barn

What happens here.

01

Lessons

Private lessons with Bevin, Carrie, and Sarah. You choose who you are riding with when you book.

02

Boarding

Some horses live here. Stall board and field board are a conversation with Bevin, not a checkout on this page.

03

Shows

A lot of weekends are horse shows. The barn keeps track of which horses are gone.

04

The why

We would rather teach you something true than sell you a package. The fitness page is the start of that.

The barn

Call, or send a note.

The phone is the fast way. Use the form if you would rather write, and someone at the barn will get back to you.