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Lessons
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Lessons at Hidden Valley stables are filled with fun and learning in either a small group or private setting. 

                       We have 10 quality school horses, 2 lighted arenas, heated and cooled break room, restroom, trails, and a large

                      viewing deck for friends and family.  Our School Year Program runs from September through May, and our Summer

                       Program runs from June through August.  Both programs are for girls and boys age 7 and older, where students are

                       placed in groups according to age and ability.  We offer lessons Monday through Thursday, Saturday and Sunday with

                      no more than 4 students per group.  Private lessons for children and adults can be scheduled around our group lesson

                     times.  Our primary goal is to promote the safety and confidence of our riders while teaching correct and balanced-seat riding. 

                                                      

LESSON PROGRAM POLICIES

2008 ~ 2009

 

ENROLLMENT and LESSON PLACEMENT

All beginners are enrolled in private lessons until they are independent and can ride safely in a group.  New students with prior riding experience will be evaluated in a private, assessment lesson by our Head Trainer, and will be placed in a group according to age and ability.  Enrollment for ALL semesters begins in August.  Once enrolled you will keep the time you are scheduled for each semester unless the trainers deem that a change needs to be made based on changing skill levels and to keep our groups to a maximum of 4 riders. Private lessons are available to those students who wish to take them, and are scheduled either before or after group lesson times.

 

TUITION

Due to the lack of the reduction of the cost of fuel, hay and feed prices we are forced to increase our tuition rates effective September 2008. Our monthly lesson rate will be $200/month for group lessons and $220/month for private lessons based on 4 lessons per month.  During the months where there are 5 lesson days in the month you will be billed for 5 lessons for that month.  During the months where there is a scheduled holiday break you will be billed for the number of lesson days scheduled for that month.  Payment is due on or before the 10th of the month and may be either mailed to our main office, or dropped in the payment box outside the office in the school barn.  Those students who have not paid by the 10th will have their riding privileges suspended until payment is made. 

 HOLIDAYS

Hidden Valley Stables will take a Holiday Break for Labor Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and for a week at the end of the Summer Program.  Scheduled holidays/closings are as follows:

 

September 1, 2008........................................Closed, Labor Day

September 2, 2008........................................OPEN 1st Day of Fall Session

October 4, 2008.............................................Hidden Valley Horse Show(No Saturday lessons)

October 10, 2008...........................................Saturday Oct. 4th Make-Up lesson

November 1, 2008.........................................Hidden Valley Horse Show(No Saturday lessons)

November 7, 2008.........................................Saturday Nov. 1st Make-Up lesson

November 26 – 30, 2008.............................Thanksgiving Break

December 24 – January 1, 2009.................Christmas Break

April 6 – 12, 2009..........................................Easter Break

May 25, 2009.................................................Memorial Day

May 29, 2009.................................................Monday May 25th Make-Up lesson

May 31, 2009.................................................End of Fall Session

 

LESSON BARN RULES

  • A Release form must be filled out and signed prior to riding.
  • Appropriate attire and footwear must be worn around the horses.
  • No running or screaming around the horses or arenas.  Siblings and friends are not allowed in the grooming areas, wash bays, or stalls for safety reasons.
  • Please allow 15-30 minutes before and after lessons for proper grooming and tacking.  Up to 10 minutes of the lesson may be used for tacking, if all students in the group are not ready to go to the ring.  If a student’s horse is already tacked up, we ask that they please lend a helping hand to others in their lesson.
  • Each rider is responsible for his/her own grooming area and riding equipment. 
  • Horses, tack, and grooming items should be returned to their proper place at the end of each lesson.
  • Horse assignments are determined by the Head Trainer and are final.
  • Students must wait for permission before mounting horses.
  • Parents, please refrain from comments to the students during lessons.  Be respectful of the instructor, and the students trying to focus on the lesson.
  • Horse treats should be placed in the horse’s feed bucket, not fed out of hand to avoid the horses becoming “nippy”.  Make sure the horse is unbridled, you are outside the stall or paddock, and the treat is small enough for the horse to eat without choking.

 

CANCELLATIONS

In the event of rain, extreme heat, or extreme cold, we will provide indoor Horsemanship lessons to enhance our student’s equestrian education.  These lessons will take an in-depth look at topics such as equine anatomy, veterinary care, stable management, and nutrition.  With these lessons, they will gain invaluable knowledge for their future endeavors with horses.  However, most of these lessons will be hands-on, so please send your child dressed accordingly.  If you choose not to attend an indoor lesson, you will be counted as absent and will not be eligible for a makeup.  In the event of ice and snow, we will call you, and will reschedule those lessons. 

 

MAKEUP LESSONS

Due to the high demand we have encountered and the size of our program we will not be able to offer make up lessons. 

 

SUMMER CAMPS

Our Summer Camps are half-day horsemanship camps which run Monday through Friday.  This is a chance for students to spend an entire week with the horses and have fun with their friends.  There will be priority enrollment for current HVS students until March 1st, so sign up early!  For more information and a registration form, please see your instructor.

 

HORSE SHOWING

For those students who wish to participate in horse showing, we offer a wide range of opportunities, from our Academy classes at our HVS Horse Shows, to rated shows throughout NC, SC, and GA.  We have a fun, friendly, yet competitive Show Team, and our goal is to not only demonstrate what we have learned, but also discover what we can improve upon.  Horse Showing requires parent participation, and additional time and financial commitments.  To find out more about our show program, please contact Melissa Barnes for a schedule and a list of show fees.

 

LEASING

Leasing is available to those students who have shown a commitment and desire to take their equine experience a step further.  Leasing is based on availability of horses, and we require that students who lease horses are also active members of our Show Team.  Full or Half leases are available.  For more information, please see Melissa Barnes.

 

MEET OUR LESSON HORSES

                          

STERLING                                                                        PUNKY

               

                       

 

            

JASPER                                                         BLUE        

 

 

 

        

                                              FLOWER                                       COMMODORE                                               

                                                                          

                                                                      

 

                                                                               

                                                           

 

 

                                                                      

                                                           

                                                                            

                                                                            

 

 

 
 


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