riding lessons

Horse Riding Lessons

Academy Stables is a small, family owned barn and we offer riding lessons to all ages and abilities.

We primarily offer English instruction. But, if you are just learning how to ride, one is not more difficult to learn than the other. But it is easier to transition from English to western than from western to English.

We have approx 18 lesson horses ranging from easy to ride ponies to energetic young Thorobreds and mustangs. We have horses that can provide challenges no matter your riding ability.

Because of our small size and the demand, we primarily offer group lessons. Our groups are comprised of no more than 4 similarly aged and skilled riders. This allows us to offer the best learning and teaching environment. It also provides a safety oriented atmosphere where riding arenas are not over crowded and horses are not overused.

If you are a first time rider, we recommend you take our Intro to Horses lessons. If you have previous riding experience, then we require you take a 30 minute 'assessment' lesson. One of our trained instructors will assess your current riding skills and your goals in order to find an appropriate group lesson.

If you are interested in joining lessons or learning more about the lesson program at Academy Stables please Email Kristin for more information.

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Intro To Horses

The objective is to familiarize new riders with the barn and begin learning about what’s involved in riding horses. The lesson will include time in the saddle but riding is not the main objective. We will learn and practice grooming and the tools of grooming, the basics of tack and tacking a horse. And we will learn basic horsemanship to begin the process of building a horse/human partnership including communication for the mutual respect and enjoyment of both horse and rider.

IN THIS class we will learn the basics of getting on and off a horse, how to hold the reins, correct foot position, correct posture and how to start and stop a horse.

Beginner 1

Continue to practice the skills learned in Intro to Horses. Emphasis on grooming and tacking without as much assistance as Intro kids need. Learn and practice the “Four Aids” as part of basic riding. Practice Walk with good seat, good leg position and good hand position. Begin learning how to trot. Be able to correctly lead a horse.

Beginner 2

Continued practice of Beginner Basics with emphasis on learning control without as much assistance as Beginner 1 students need. Fine tune posting the trot (English & Western). Riders at this level ca mount independently, ride at the walk independently. Riders will fine tune their trotting skills

Advanced-Beginner 1

Continued practice of all the above with emphasis on learning control without as much assistance as Beginner students need. Practice of consistent proper body position at the walk, trot and canter. Practice control and achieving the desired gait and speed on several different horses. Learn “light hands” with more controlled balance. Sit the trot bareback without a sidewalker.

Advanced-Beginner 2

Practice control with various individual and group exercises and more difficult horse choices. Trot safely together as a group. Continue practicing “seat” for balance & control. They will learn cantering on the correct lead. English riders will practice precision, dressage, and beginning jumping. Begin learning how to canter on the correct lead.

Advanced-Beginner 3

Students are challenged with learning control by riding harder horses and working up to their “Goal Horses.” Learn cantering on the correct lead. English riders will practice precision, dressage and jumping. Western riders will begin learning reining. More difficult class xercises. Canter bareback on more difficult horses.

Intermediate Rider

Can ride any of our horses safely, with control. May still be “fine-tuning” riding their “Goal Horses” with ease and “relaxed control.” Students are still learning the finer points of horse/human partnership and communication for the mutual respect and enjoyment of both. English riders are able to take most horses over higher (2.5’) jumps with confidence. Go over small jumps bareback

Advanced Rider

Advanced students can ride any of our horses with confidence, balance, and relaxed control. They have learned the basics of leadership for each horse, and can build the trust needed to ask the horse to do something outside its comfort zone. They are learning training skills and perfecting their talents at jumping, reining, or other advanced disciplines, including “Natural Horsemanship” techniques. They are comfortable with advanced bareback riding, including jumps.

Riding Lessons Registration

Instructors

Hayden Wilson

Hayden hails from Massachusetts where she started riding horses at 6 years old! She competed as an English style rider at small jumper shows and equation classes throughout her childhood and teenage years. Then, she became interested in three-phase Eventing and began competing at beginner novice and went on to her first Prelim trials at 20 years old.

Hayden built her foundation for teaching through her experiences in United States Pony Club. USPC taught her horse knowledge, care, and riding to advanced levels. As a people person and also a passionate horseback rider, Hayden has always gravitated toward teaching lessons and training horses—all ages and all types.

She is competent to teach dressage, stadium, cross country, and trail riding with a focus on riding naturally and harmoniously. Hayden says, “I am very thankful for all my years of going to summer horse camps, working at farms, leasing and owning horses that made me the horsewoman I am today!

My riding influences are Sara Contois, Lucinda Green, Karen Rohlf, Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin, David and Karen O’Connor, and many, many more!” We are thrilled to have Hayden teaching all levels of riders at Academy Stables.

GINGER FEDAK

GINGER hails from TEXAS where she competed as a barrel racer in college. Ginger was the owner & Operator of Sun Pony Ranch, a small riding stable in Berthoud, CO. Sun Pony offered year round lessons and Summer Horse camp. She taught several of our teen riders. Pony closed its doors in 2017 at which time Ginger turned her attention towards advocating for wild mustangs and burros. Her lessons and camps at Sun Pony were such a source of inspiration for Academy Stables that we asked her to join our teaching staff. Ginger teaches on Saturdays and continues to work her magic and inspire riders young and old!

CELIA THOMAS

Full Bio coming soon. Celia teaches our advanced riders and riders who want to show.

Registration Information

Please note our program is primarily group lessons. Due to space and horse limitations, as well as the high demand for lessons, please understand we are not able to offer ongoing private lessons during peak times (afternoon, evenings, weekends.

Because of our size and the ongoing demand, it has been necessary to take a very systematic approach to adding riders to our program. We try to make sure classes are comprised of similarly skilled and aged riders because we feel that offers the best learning and teaching environment.

NEW RIDERS:

If you are interested in joining lessons or learning more about the lesson program at Academy Stables Stables, please Email Kristin for more information.

NOTE: The maximum weight for a rider taking a lesson is 200 pounds.

Riding Lessons Registration