First time Out to the stable?
Here are a few things you will want to know before and after you get started!
Remember, make sure to call ahead to schedule your first lesson as our lessons are by appointment only! Call us at 630-844-3533 to get started!
When you arrive
Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your first lesson. This allows time to sign our rider release form, settle in and let one of our staff talk with you a bit before you begin and possibly even get a brief tour of the stable!
When our staff does meet with you, they will share a general walk thru of what to expect when your rider heads into the arena to meet their instructor and a bit of info about the horse they will be riding on that day! Along with any other general information to help our new riders be as comfortable and well prepared as possible before they go in to ride for their first time.
You will also be introduced to our other programs & opportunities available to our students! These include:
Camps * Parties * Horse Shows * Clinics
Our Annual Awards Banquet * And more!
Take a look at our Camps & Activities page for more details!
We will get you set-up on our Social Media app, BAND, to help you stay in touch with the stable, keep you informed about dates of upcoming events & activities, new opportunities & albums where you can see pics of the whole variety of activities we offer through each year!
What to wear
All riders MUST wear SEI Approved helmets. For the first 2 evaluation lessons, a bicycle helmet is just fine. If a rider chooses to continue their lessons, you can find our recommendations on helmet brands and suggested locations to shop in the links below!
Riders WILL NOT be allowed to ride in shorts, capris, skirts, dresses, sandals or any form of open toed shoe. NO EXCEPTIONS! Jeans are ideal when getting started and any long pant that reaches the ankle is acceptable. Shoes with a flat sole or low heel are preferred. Tennis shoes are a good option. This is a safety concern and is important for the best experience and safety for the rider.
Gloves are usually necessary in the winter as the arena is indoors but can be chilly. Any thin glove that makes good contact with their reins is great to get started! We also sell riding gloves thru our store for beginners to advanced ranging from 6$ to around $25. Take a look at the links below!
Shopping for helmets & riding equipment
'The Riding Store' is our recommended local shop where you can try on helmets for sizing and preference. We HIGHLY recommend taking the time to shop the local store, try it on and get the best fit as it is a VERY important piece of safety gear for your rider!
How it works
All of our Novice/Beginner lessons are 30 min private lessons that are scheduled on a standing appointment basis. Our days of operation for these lessons are Tuesday to Sunday.
We require 2 Evaluation/trial lessons prior to beginning our monthly lesson program. This gives our riders and families a chance to understand what the expectations and challenges are, as well as what we offer with our program and additional activities. All without the commitment of a full month package and needing to invest in any additional riding equipment before knowing if a rider will have any interest to continue.
*These 2 lessons are scheduled by giving us a call at the stable*
Click the photo to get additional info on what our Beginner program has to offer and its content!
Following the 2 trials, riders who are interested in continuing will move to our 'Beginner" program which includes one 30 minute private lesson weekly, each month.
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2 Evaluation Lesson package-
$90.00
Monthly Beginner Lesson package-
$200.00 per month
This link will take you to a common helmet available for purchase online from SmartPak
Also, make sure to check out our very own online store for Gloves, Boots, Jodphurs (riding pants), Stable Spirit Wear & more!