SVF offers riding lessons for beginners (age 7 & up), intermediate and advanced riders wishing to develop as hunter/jumper or equitation riders. Our lessons are designed to create a partnership between the horse and rider based on trust and understanding and effective communication. That is why lessons progress slowly and the basics are stressed. Working off the longe line, flatwork and gymnastics, riding without stirrups...all of the foundations of good equitation are taught.
Lessons are offered in thirty and forty-five minute sessions Tuesday through Sunday. A 45 minute lesson on a Spring Valley Farm horse may only be scheduled in a group of three and by approval of an SVF trainer. Lessons times may be booked for Tuesday through Friday from 9am to 8pm and 9am to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. We are closed on Mondays. The horses and ponies are groomed, tacked and waiting for your arrival to accommodate busy schedules. Your thirty or forty-five minute lesson is actual seat time and since lessons are usually private or in a small group of two or three, you get the most from your instruction.
The first lesson helps us evaluate a rider's skill level to better match rider, mount and trainer for future lessons. Lessons are 30 minutes in length as we find that shorter lessons are more appropriate for building fitness and horsemanship level and is easier on our school horses. We believe that riders who commit to two half-hour lessons per week advance further and faster in their fitness and skills level. A rider using an SVF horse for lessons needs to be jumping courses and in a group of three to take a forty-five minute lesson.
We start riders at the age of seven and we encourage adults of all ages to take lessons with us. SVF has a number of high quality school horses and ponies for all riders regardless of experience, or you may trailer in your own horse for lessons for the same price. If you are considering only cost as the criteria for choosing a riding school, SVF does charge more for lessons than other local barns. However, the additional cost of our lessons makes it possible for you to be instructed for a full thirty minutes by a qualified adult trainer on safe, quiet school horses/ponies who rarely have more than 2 lessons a day. Compare those features to the less expensive lesson barns and ask yourself if being safe and in an environment where you can progress more rapidly is worth a few dollars more. Also because we have one of the largest indoor riding rings in the state, your lessons will not be cancelled in bad weather. Parents and grandparents and friends can sit and watch lessons in the large observation room in our beautiful clubhouse.
We prefer new riders interested in taking lessons with us to call and schedule an appointment to come out to tour the facility, fill out the required paperwork and then schedule a lesson. Or you can call and set up your first lesson and complete the paperwork a few minutes before your lesson time. You also may download, sign and bring the following documents to your first lesson:
Horses are unpredictable and horse related activities carry with them a level of risk. All riders must sign a medical release and a waiver of liability (see above) to participate in equine activities at Spring Valley Farm. Appropriate clothing including heeled boots (1/2 to 1 inch-no sport shoes) and an ASTM/SEI approved riding helmet is required for riders and must be worn at all times. A parent or guardian must accompany all riders under the age of eighteen. We welcome guests to observe lessons; however SVF does require proper conduct around the facilities.
Please contact us at (804) 784-3700 for more details.