We like being different.
Become a real equestrian with us.
Horses first, riding second. Always.
At Rivendale Equestrian we don’t teach you to just ride the horse. Learning to ride is the “easy” part.
Instead, we challenge you to become a true equestrian. Not only a rider but a complete partner with your horse, connecting in emotional and physical harmony both on the ground and in the saddle.
This journey is not for the faint of heart or those looking for instant gratification. If you would like to learn how to ride so you can go fast or jump as quickly as possible, our program is not for you.
There are many barns out there that will teach you how to groom, tack, and then ride. Barns that are full of the classic drama & toxicity, push to show, over-competitive riders, and coaches who don’t take their horses' health and happiness into account. Leading to emotionless horses with no spark of life left in their soul. Rivendale Equestrian is unlike those barns.
Instead, if you desire to learn to speak an unspoken language, to feel your body become one with a stronger, more powerful being, to feel complete stillness in your mind, to experience a bond like no other while prioritizing your horses needs, then Rivendale Equestrian is the program for you.
To provide the best experience possible to our participants and to allow us to remain in line with our values, we offer lessons to riders ages 10+ with all of our lessons being one hour in length in a private setting.
Your lesson, whether it’s a single lesson or a weekly lesson, will be customized to your current skillset and goals.
Although riding is an enjoyable benefit of working with horses, horses do not need to be ridden for them to remain happy and healthy in their lives.
For this reason, our program does not always include a ride in each lesson.
This allows us to prioritize helping you become a well rounded equestrian who can not only ride, but can provide a safe and healthy life for horses. This is a skillset that takes many years of dedication to develop. Having a "riding is a bonus” mentality allows us to take into consideration our horses thoughts, feelings, and needs each day. In combination, this enables us the opportunity to teach our students proficiency in important skills such as:
We do our best to plan our unmounted lessons for days when the weather is inclement, but there may be nice days when we do unmounted work as well.
When you ride we place importance on being an understanding partner of the horse, learning how to use your body effectively, and how to achieve independent balance and feel. At Rivendale Equestrian regular lunge lessons are included to help achieve this goal at all levels.
Our dressage program is designed for the adult amateur who is either taking their first steps in dressage or those continuing to learn specializing in young horses & W/T to 3rd level.
We strive for you to not only learn how to ride the movements in dressage but to develop an understanding of the horses anatomical mechanics, your feel & to truly connect with your horse.
Here you will find no bit seesawing extra equipment to hold the horses head down, or forcing the horse to perform a task.
Instead, it is our goal to guide each horse through their stages of development in a supportive manner that encourages physical, emotional, and mental growth. To do so, we use systematic gymnastic training, suppling exercises, and the dressage training scale to develop the horse in a way that highlights the horse's natural movement and personality.
If you are new to our program, a single lesson or four lesson introductory package is mandatory before joining a weekly lesson package. Freelance lessons are available, please contact us for availability & price.
Single lessons or Introductory packages can be booked at anytime.
To book either option please fill out the registration form.
Once filled, you will receive a response via email within two business days to help answer questions and book lesson days/times.
Start Date: Sunday September 8th 2024
End Date: Saturday November 2nd 2024
Registration Due Date: August 2nd 2024
Session Length: 8 weeks
Session Price: $440 plus hst
Start Date: Sunday April 6th
End Date: Saturday May 31st
Registration Due Date: Friday March 7th
Session Length: 8 weeks
Session Price: $480 plus hst
Start Date: Sunday June 8th
End Date: Saturday August 30th
Registration Due Date: Friday May 2nd
Session Length: 12 weeks
Session Price: $720 plus hst
Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Yes I do! Please contact us with your location, information about yourself/your riding career, your horse, where you're currently at in your training & what your future goals are.
All riders must wear / bring the following:
Unfortunately, we do not offer helmet rentals. We prioritize our riders safety and not everyone will fit the same size/brand of helmet. A well fitted certified helmet is proven to reduce or prevent injury should an impact occur. For a helmet to work correctly, it needs to fit your head properly. There are multiple factors in determining proper helmet fit such as shell shape, width, padding & chin straps. If all of these elements are not fitted correctly to each individual the helmet has potential to lose its effectiveness. For these reasons, we do not offer helmet rentals as it would be impossible for us to carry enough brands and models to ensure a safe fit for everyone.
For the health of our horses, the maximum weight is 220 lbs.
We offer riding lessons to participants age 10 & up.
At this time we accept e-transfers or cash. For those registering for a 12 or 8 week session we do offer payment plans.
Unfortunately we do not offer a make up lesson if a rider cancels or misses a lesson. If the facility must cancel a lesson for any reason, we will absolutely provide a make up or credit. Potential make up lesson dates will be provided by the facility & may not necessarily be on the same day & time that the rider is registered for. The facility will be as accommodating as possible but due to the lesson, horse & staff schedule can only offer so many options.
All lessons are non-refundable.
All of our riding lessons take place outdoors. Unmounted stable management lessons will take place both indoors and outdoors. If there is inclement weather an unmounted lesson will be provided in lieu of a riding lesson. These unmounted lessons are an essential part of equestrian sport.
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