English riding lessons are scheduled for one hour. Lessons include tacking and proper cooling down procedures. Depending on ability and advancement, riders are taught all aspects of horsemanship including: grooming, tacking, handling, proper equitation, all three gaits (walk, trot, canter), jumping, trail riding, safety precautions, barn maintenance, and tack care. Riders will be placed with others who are equally experienced.
Riding lessons are held on Friday afternoons between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM, weekly and bi-weekly.
Riders do not ride without the instructor present at all times. As riders become more advanced, they are permitted to handle, mount, and warm-up their assigned horses independently.
Transportation
Currently, members car pool to the stable.
Depending on availability of members able to drive, determines the
group's scheduled time. Therefore, more flexibility in a member's
Friday afternoon schedule will enable him or her to attend more
frequent lessons.
Directions to Doubletree Farms are provided on the Equestrian Club Blackboard site. Once you have been assigned a lesson time, please follow these directions allowing 30 -40 minutes for the commute from Saint Vincent College.
Helmets
& Boots
Students joining the club are responsible for purchasing a
S.E.I. certified riding helmet (usually priced around $30 - $35).
These helmets can be purchased from the Farm and Tractor Supply in the
Latrobe Plaza, Rt. 30 or any location that sells farm supplies or horse
equipment.
All students must also wear boots. Students can buy riding boots at Farm and Tractor Supply, however suitable boots can be found at other discount stores
or general department outlets, like Wal-Mart. Boots should have a
distinct heel with little or no tread. No tennis shoes, please.
