Children’s Lessons

Registration for 2023 Spring Lessons open to the public Monday March 20th!
Lesson Start Dates: April 15-19

**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 2 and 3 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.

SPRING 2023 Semester dates:

Monday classes run from April 17th to June 26th, NOT including May 22nd (Victoria Day).

Wednesday classes run from April 19th to June 21st

Saturday classes run from April 15th to June 24th, NOT including May 20th (Victoria Day long weekend).

Sunday classes run from April 16th to June 25th, NOT including May 21st (Victoria Day long weekend).

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 10 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. Spring 2023 Intro classes will be taught by Jayden Heck on Mondays at 7pm, Wednesdays at 4pm & 5pm, and Sundays at 9am.

Level 1: A 10 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… Spring 2023 Level 1 classes will be taught by Jayden Heck on Mondays at 5pm & 6pm, Wednesdays at 6pm & 7pm, and Sundays at 10am, 11am, and 12pm.

Level 2: A 10 week group session IN ENGLISH OR 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… Spring 2023 Level 2 classes will be taught by Kristin Brophy on Saturdays at 10am & 11am.

Level 3: A10 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 and the beginning of jumping position (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… Spring 2023 Level 3 classes will be taught by Kristin Brophy on Saturdays at 9am & noon.

SPRING 2023 REGISTRATION: