Children’s Lessons

Registration for 2023 fall Lessons open to the public Sunday August 27th at 9am!
Lesson Start Dates: September 10th, 16th, 20th & 21st

**Please note that we are no longer separating pony club vs. western lessons, and will be teaching all beginner levels in WESTERN TACK for comfort, safety and a better foundation.
Level 3 and 4 riders may select English, Western or All-Round Performance goals!
Get all the details and register online below!

The Ranch’s Children’s lessons are designed for children aged 8 and up, and teach children the basics of Horsemanship from safe ground handling to control at a canter.

Nothing builds self esteem like good, safe, time in the saddle.  Learning to communicate with and control a pony or horse takes time and skill, but it can be a remarkable journey.  For over 40 years, the Ranch has helped to equip young riders to become competitors and horsemen, but more importantly it has helped to develop confident, communicative, healthy young adults.

All of our children’s lessons are conducted with small class sizes (maximum of 4 riders per class) to ensure safety and lots of personal attention. Children learn on quiet, safe, proven horses and ponies, and we keep the lessons fun; often working outdoors, on trail, or on performance patterns and games!  Children aged 8 and up are grouped with others of their skill-level and are encouraged to participate in all areas of horsemanship, not just riding.

In all of our lessons children are taught not just to ride, but to groom, tack and clean up after their horses.  This holistic approach teaches awareness and understanding of animal behaviour that translates into better understanding and communication in the saddle.

Only children who are in lessons with us are permitted to volunteer at the Ranch, and being enrolled in lessons with us also permits 8 and 9 year old riders to join us on trail!

Our curriculum follows the Ontario Equestrian Rider levels, and parents are encouraged to understand requirements before enrolling in a specific group lesson program (outlined below). ALL Intro and Level 1 Riders use Western tack in order to build the best foundation while staying safe and comfortable. When riders progress towards a canter, they can chose to focus on Western, English, or All-Round performance depending on their goals and interests. Children graduating our levels who choose to move towards jumping will be assisted in finding appropriate high-level lessons nearby.

Interested parents and children are welcome to drop in and watch a class, and parents are always welcome to stay and (unobtrusively) watch their children progress.

Please explore our group and private lesson options below, and feel free to call us if you’d like help determining which level or lesson type might be best for your child.

Fall 2023 Semester dates:

Wednesday classes run for 12 weeks from September 20th to December 6th INCLUSIVE. **A spare date of December 13th will be reserved should The Ranch have to cancel a class due to extreme weather.

Thursday classes run for 12 weeks from September 21st to December 7th INCLUSIVE. **A spare date of December 14th will be reserved should The Ranch have to cancel a class due to extreme weather.

Saturday classes run for 12 weeks from September 16th to December 9th NOT INCLUDING Thanksgiving weekend, October 7th. **A spare date of December 16th will be reserved should The Ranch have to cancel a class due to extreme weather.

Sunday classes run for 12 weeks from September 10th to December 10th NOT INCLUDING Thanksgiving weekend, October 8th OR November 12th (for the Royal Winter Fair). **A spare date of December 17th will be reserved should The Ranch have to cancel a class due to extreme weather.

Lesson Rates:

Please note that prices do not include HST and are a 1 hour booking with 45 minutes of riding time.

• Children’s group lessons ………. $70.00 per lesson charged by semester
• Children’s semi-private lessons ………. $75.00 per lesson
• Children’s weekday private lessons ………. $80.00 per lesson
• Children’s evening/weekend private lessons ………. $90.00 per lesson

Levels:

Intro:  A 12 week group session IN WESTERN TACK for riders aged 8 and up with no previous lesson experience (though they may have trail riding experience).  In preparation for Level one as set by Ontario Equestrian: https://ontarioequestrian.ca/w…, intro riders will learn the basics of grooming and tacking, leading a horse safely from the barn to the arena and mounting and dismounting.  They will establish the basics of control and safety at a walk and rising and sitting trot. Fall 2023 Intro classes will be taught by Jayden Heck on Wednesdays at 4pm, Thursdays at 5pm, and Sundays at 9am & 10am.

Level 1: A 12 week group session IN WESTERN TACK for riders aged 8 and up with previous introductory lesson experience and beginner level competency at the walk and trot (rising and sitting).  We will follow the Level One curriculum as set by Ontario Equestrian: https://ontarioequestrian.ca/w… Fall 2023 Level 1 classes will be taught by Jayden Heck on Wednesdays at 5pm & 6pm, Thursdays at 6pm & 7pm and Sundays at 11am.

Level 2: A 12 week group session IN WESTERN TACK for riders aged 8 and up with previous lesson experience and competency at the walk, rising trot and diagonals and be ready to start working at a canter.  Students at this level should be capable of grooming and tacking their own horse.  We will follow the Level Two curriculum as set by Ontario Equestrian: https://ontarioequestrian.ca/w… Fall 2023 Level 2 classes will be taught by Jayden Heck on Wednesday’s at 7pm and Sundays at 8am & 12pm and Kristin Brophy on Saturday at 10am

Level 3 & 4: A 12 week group session IN ENGLISH OR WESTERN TACK for riders aged 8 and up with extensive lesson experience and competency at the walk, trot, and canter in full seat and two point.  Students at this level should be capable of grooming and tacking their own horse.  We will follow the Level Three curriculum as set by Ontario Equestrian: https://ontarioequestrian.ca/w… Fall 2023 Level 3 & 4 classes will be taught by Kristin Brophy on Saturdays at 9am, 11am & 12pm.

SPRING 2023 REGISTRATION: **Opens to the Public HERE on August 27th