Riding School Membership

Comprehensive programs teaching Holistic Stewardship Practices

Membership Perks

Horsemanship Class

Weekly classes to practice groundwork, nutrition, first aid, and unmounted skills to enrich your horsemanship.

Fitness Classes

Adults are invited to join us for weekly cross training sessions to build better endurance, strength, and balance in the saddle.

Community Events

Monthly community events like movie nights, paint and sips, pot lucks, and barn dances.

Play Days and Home Shows

Monthly Play Day or Home Show. Entry fee is included in your membership.

Monthly trips to clinics, trail rides, shows, or off-site schooling.

Field Trips

Memberships

Entry

For levels 1 and 2 riders who are just getting started in their stewardship journey

Includes:

1×60 minute private lesson weekly

1 monthly credit for drop-in Horsemanship Classes

Invitations to all social events and skill-appropriate field trips.

Developing

For levels 2, 3, or 4 riders who are growing in their horsemanship and are ready for more.

Includes:

1 weekly private lesson

1 group lesson per week

1 weekly solo practice ride

2 monthly credits for drop-in horsemanship classes

Invitations to all social events and field trips

Performance

For the most committed riders looking to become experts in their sport.

Includes:

2 weekly private lessons

1-2 weekly group lessons

Credits for all drop-in horsemanship classes

Invitations to all social events and field trips

Student Levels

All aspects of our lesson program are centered around the horse and student first. Unlike highly competitive or traditional programs, our top priority is teaching best practices in biomechanics, horse care, equine behavior, and the foundations of riding so that our students are equipped to excel in their riding career, no matter where they choose to take it.

Our students work through a series of 4 “levels” as they grow in their skill designed to bring a student from first ride through early horse ownership (if they so choose).

Greenhorns are just starting out. This level is focused on safe horse handling, learning to saddle and unsaddle independently, and building confidence both in the saddle and on the ground.

Riders feel confident handling their horses and begin to develop more groundwork skills and start building some speed with more trotting, basic obstacles like ground poles, and riding in groups of 2-4.

Equestrians are working to refine their skills. They are comfortable at higher speeds, handling more challenging situations on the ground and in the saddle, and begin to ride off property on field trips and maybe the show ring.

Stewards are our most advanced students both in the saddle and on the ground. They are working on advanced obstacles, mastery of their knowledge around horse behavior, biomechanics, tack fit, and they likely already have their own horse, either owned or leased.

When I was a kid it was taught to me as “the cowboy code: ”always take care of your horse before you take care of yourself.” Our horses take care of us, and we, in turn, must care for them.

However I think there is a much broader message here. We, as humans, choose this sport. We ask a lot of our horses. The same could be said for the enormous strain we put on any part of the natural world we interact with. There are many horsemanship philosophies that assume human entitlement to this expectation. Yet I believe that it is also our duty to give back as much as we take. While horses aren’t merely vehicles for us to use and disregard, I also believe that horses deserve to be treated as horses, not as a humanized version of such.

That is why the horse is the center of our approach to riding education. Our students learn not only the mechanics of riding, but also horse behavior, management, husbandry, and leadership skills. 

Our riding instruction centers around a horse and student first approach to learning. We understand that neither horses nor humans can learn when they feel threatened or fearful, and that tactics of shame, humiliation, or comparison have no place in horse training or riding instruction. However, we do hold students to a high standard of work ethic, effort, critical thinking, and cooperation. 

FAQs

  • All riders must wear ASTM/SEI certified helmet while riding (we have some to lend out if needed), boots with a heel, and pants. Otherwise, we have everything else.

  • We have a small herd of school horses for students to ride. Their instructor will select their horse at the time of their lesson. That said, students in “Equestrian” and “Steward” levels may choose to lease or purchase their own horse with the help of their instructor.

  • You are welcome to drop off as long as the instructor is aware of when you will return and how to contact you.

  • Unfortunately we don’t rent trail horses, however we are happy to give you some names of great local trail companies.

  • Students who work their way through all four levels move on to do a full spectrum of disciplines and sports. When students make it through our “stewardship” level, the fourth and final of our series, we happily send them on to trainers specialized in the field they want to pursue, armed with the tools to develop their skills with biomechanics, horse behavior, and stewardship at the center of their work.

  • Every rider is different. So many factors go into their progression including age, experience level, unforeseen obstacles, and so much more. Kids can expect to spend a year or more at each level, especially “Greenhorn” and “Rider.” Adults may move through these in a matter of months. We like to focus on your own success metrics, rather than timeline, as you move through your own individual riding career.

Apply to Ride with Us!

We don’t often have spaces open up, but when they do this is how we’ll select the best fit for our program.

Please note, by filling out this form you are applying for our WAITLIST.

Space is given to the rider who is the best fit at the time a space becomes available. We offer a limited number of spaces to riders at each level from beginners through advanced riders to keep our program balanced.

If your application is accepted and a spot becomes available, we’ll invite you to the barn for a tour and discuss lesson packages at that time.

Looking forward to working with you!