At CLF, instructors are dedicated to introducing people of all ages to horseback riding and horsemanship in a safe and structured environment. Our CLF Riding Academy does exactly that. Students are encouraged to participate in all aspects of horse care. We want to give you the whole package: riding lessons, knowledge about horse care and the skills to go as far in your riding career as you can dream. Riders will learn compassion, respect and patience – lessons to last a lifetime! Many programs are available throughout the year to help facilitate this goal.
Every rider starts out with private lessons. We offer 1 hour lessons for riders ages 5 and up, and a 30 minute Horse Experience class for riders ages 3 to 4. Each lesson covers how to handle the horse, as well as how to groom and tack up the horse. The riding portion lasts approximately 30 minutes (for 1 hour lessons) and 15 minutes (for the 30 minute classes). Our goal is to teach riders basic control, steering, and how to maintain the correct balanced position, going through a series of exercises to achieve this. Each lesson builds on the last and we move forward at a rate that is best for each rider.
Once a rider can properly groom, tack and ride unassisted at the walk and trot, we allow them to take part in small semi-private group lessons, if they wish. Ride times for group lessons are typically between 30 to 45 minutes. Riders should be able to have their horse groomed, tacked up and ready at the ride-time arranged with the instructor.