Riding School

Beginner through advanced level classes are offered for all students.  Students are placed in classes according to riding skills, horsemanship and age. Enrollment is based on a fall and spring semester with two blocks of classes within each semester for a total of four blocks in the academic year. Block duration is dependent upon school holidays and vacations but generally runs from 8 to 12 weeks. Riding classes progress continuously from block to block.  Not ready to sign up for block lessons?  Come and try our Saddle Up program.

Pony School

Pony School is available for our young riders 6 to 10 years of age.  Our goal is to allow our students the opportunity to develop equestrian knowledge and skills in a safe and fun environment. It encourages the love of horses and the outdoors.  The pony school includes weekly 45-minute classes in grooming, tacking, pony care, and mounted skills at the walk and the trot, cavaletti and trail riding. Cantering and low jumping are taught to students who are sufficiently skilled. Mounted and non-mounted classes are taught throughout each block of lessons. Class size is limited to six students who ride well-schooled ponies with many years of experience in the ring and on the trails. Pony School students are encouraged to participate in our Cloverbud Club program for additional horse related activities. Summer Programs are also available for riders in the pony school.

Community Lessons

Classes for students ages 10 and up are available in the Community Program. The weekly lesson is 1.5 hours and is comprised of 15 minutes of grooming and tacking, 1 hour mounted lesson and 15 minutes for untacking, brushing and horse care. Rider’s progress in a program designed to allow the students to achieve their personal riding goals. Students progress at their own pace and are given the opportunity to jump, show or enjoy horses for pleasure. Students develop with a foundation of good riding.  They are able to demonstrate security on the horse, non-abuse of the horse, effective and efficient use of the aids and unity of the horse and rider. Class size is 8 riders. Clinic and Summer Programs are also available for riders in the Community Program.  Community students age 9-18 years are encouraged to participate in the 4-H club.

Adult Lessons

The Community Program also includes group and private lessons for adult riders at all levels.  Classes for adults are offered several evenings and two mornings per week during the regular season.

Private Lessons

Individual instruction is available for the student working on specific riding goals.

Summer Programs

Camp Cheval is a summer day camp specializing in horsemanship and hunt seat riding. To best serve the needs of the children, the camp is divided into All Day and Half Day camps. The All Day camp is for camper’s ages 8 to 16 years old. The Half Day camp is designed for children ages 6 to 9 years old.  Half-day camp offers a four-day session each week and a very small staff-to-camper ratio. Mounted sessions for all campers are divided into small groups according to their riding ability and students are mounted on horses appropriate to their skills. All levels of campers are challenged to improve their riding skills, develop an understanding of riding theory, and strengthen their understanding of horses and horsemanship. Camp Cheval’s dedicated and experienced staff, a beautiful well-equipped facility, and a variety of learning opportunities offer a unique experience for all levels of equestrians in a memorable learning environment.  Follow the link to Camp Cheval for more information.

Rider Requirements

To be eligible for our riding programs, all riders or their guardians are required to sign a Release and Hold Harmless Agreement and to provide current insurance information. The following items are required and must be supplied by each individual student.  You will need:

• An SEI / ASTM APPROVED horseback riding helmet (no bike helmets)

• Long pants or breeches

• Sturdy shoes or boots, preferable above the ankle in height, with a smooth sole and a 1'' square heel (no hiking boots, ripple soles, or platform shoes)

Tack shops in the area supply these items. M&M Tack Shop offers very competitive prices and is conveniently located at MacNair’s Country Acres, Inc..  Contact M&M Tack Shop at 851-0102 or visit their web site.

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                       Out for a relaxing trail ride

Learning the parts of the horse

   Summer Camp 2004

     A Camp Cheval  Craft

Proper clothing for riding lessons