Lesson Program
Bridges Equestrian offers many lesson programs to allow for each student to tailor his or her equestrian experience to meet their specific needs.
- Beginning to Advanced lessons
- English and Western styles
- Private or Group lessons
- Our regular lesson program accepts students over the age of eight, and under the weight of 180 pounds (please see our weight/height chart ).
- 10 levels to Horsemaster program
Our staff of instructors , 28 lesson horses and crew of assistant instructors are trained and experienced to give you the type of instruction you desire.
- Click here to see our Lesson Schedule
- Gift Certificates are available.
- Please see our lesson policies and equipment requirements
- Our Rates and Fees are listed here
New Classes
Private lunge-line lessons
Like there’s not enough going on? We have had some requests (oh yes… I listen to requests and suggestions with GREAT interest) for private lunge line lessons. These are lessons where the rider works on their seat independent of their hands (in other words, we take your reins away!) The instructor will guide the horse on the line while the rider posts, sits trot, and uses their legs with their hands free. It is a great work out and a great aid to balance and control of your seat. We have dedicated a few time slots for these intense and valuable lessons in addition to your regular lesson (not instead of… they augment, not replace.) However, you might not want to schedule one the day before your regular lesson). The cost is $60 for 30 minutes. Sorry, we can’t use make ups for these. Email Ruthanna for a list of available spots.
Strengthening Your Ride
Sundays at 9:30, is a class for building strength, agility, balance and specific skills to improve your ride. This class is for intermediate to advanced riders who have good basic skills for walk, trot and canter. I will ride with this class and lead us all in timing exercises, pole work, and challenges of balance and strength. Think of it as Pilates on horseback! This class has been a blast so far, and I look forward to expanding on the concept.
Western Horsemanship Basics
I am excited to start this class in December. This class will run Saturday at 10:00 for 6 weeks. The cost is $180 for horse owners and $250 for riders needing a Bridges Equestrian lesson horse. We will cover the basics of position, gaits, aids and cues, with introductions to Trail, Gymkhana, Cutting, Penning, and stock/reining applications. This is a prototype for what will become the new Bridges Equestrian Western Program.
THE 10 LEVEL PROGRAM
Drum roll please…….. THE 10 LEVEL PROGRAM IS BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER!!! Yes, after a 7 year re-write, we are now ready to re-launch our Bridges Equestrian 10 Levels to Horsemaster Program! This is a step-by-step, level by level program designed to bring a student through the Bridges Equestrian School of Horsemanship Program with all the appropriate knowledge to own and operate their horse, both for show or recreation. This program is designed toward the Hunter/Dressage/Western pleasure rider, and covers all aspects of Horsemanship including Horse Care & Feeding, First Aid, General Knowledge, Groundwork, Riding, Different Disciplines within the Industry, and much much more! Look for the outlines on our website. We will conduct the first testing June 16 with a review June 9. All riders start with level 1, however if you come to Bridges Equestrian with prior riding experience, or as we start here you have been with us for a year or more, you may challenge the first 3 levels with the Bridges Equestrian Horsemanship Challenge. Please join us Saturday, May 12, at 12:30 (right after the Show Clinic), to celebrate the kick-off of our new program where I will go through all the levels and answer questions! We’ll have all the details then as to how to move up through the program and the costs to test.