Horseback Riding Lessons
Willowcrest Farm offers a great social atmosphere in a healthy, positive, safe environment. Only safe, reliable, well-schooled horses and ponies are chosen to be used in our lesson program.
Horseback riding develops core strength, coordination, and balance - and is great exercise!
Lessons are available for children and adults of all ages and experience levels. Lessons are customized to the rider's skills and experience. Willowcrest also has a five-week beginner program on Saturdays.
Lesson students are offered showing opportunities at schooling shows. We also host summer camps and in-barn shows. In-barn shows are a perfect way to start your show career!
If you aspire to lease or own a horse or pony, you can join our show team of riders who compete at provincial silver and national gold rated shows.
Saturday Beginner Horseback Riding Program for Children Ages 6 and up
An introductory experience for young and first-time riders. Riders learn basic safety and skills about horses and are introduced to riding. No experience necessary! Ages 6 up
For riders younger than 6 see our Friday night Pony Pals program!!
Fees for the Saturday riding lessons are invoiced and due on the first of each month at a rate of $65 plus HST per lesson. Please fill out the form below if you are interested in the Saturday program and Julie will be in touch within 48 hours.
Riding Lesson Details
Beginner lessons take approximately 1.25 hours. Riders will arrive a half hour prior to the actual riding time to learn barn safety and how to tack up their horse or pony. The riding lesson is semi private and a half hour in length. The rider will build strength and balance, learn basic skills using proper riding aids.
Boot with a small heel required. Dress for the weather. Helmets are available here for use
Please note that unfortunately we cannot offer any makeups for missed lesson days for the beginner program
Friday Night Pony Pals
Our Friday night Pony Pals program is designed for young riders ages 3 to 5 years old. The program requires one parent to attend with each rider. Parents and rider will learn safety around the barn and horses/ponies, grooming and tacking up and how to lead a horse properly through obstacles. There will also be some pony rides! This program runs 4 weeks for 1 hour each Friday at a cost of $300 plus HST. Payment is due on registration to hold your space. It is a great introduction to the world of horses and a great opportunity to meet the rest of the animals here at Willowcrest.
Limited space
FALL DATES TBA!
Weekly Horseback Riding Lesson Info & Rates
Once riders have graduated from the Saturday beginner lessons, they can move to weekday lessons. Group lessons are 60 minutes in length and riders are matched according to experience and ability. Riders are required to be here a half hour before the lesson to tack up and must stay after the lesson to properly put the horse away. Total time of approximately 1.75 hours.
Lessons are available September to June after school and evenings.
Lessons are paid on a monthly basis at a cost of $271.20
**Please read this carefully so that you fully understand my policies regarding payment and lessons.
Payments are calculated on a weekly basis and split into even monthly amounts. There are no lessons the following weeks: March Break, the first week of September and the week between Christmas and New Year. The monthly payment reflects these weeks with no lessons so the payments are always the same and will not be adjusted
Makeup lessons: Unfortunately I am unable to offer makeup lessons for the ones that you miss. Your weekly lesson time is reserved for you so please try to be here. If you have to miss please send an email or text me at 5195031799. There is no extra time during our busy schedule to fit in makeup lessons. In the case that lessons are canceled because of inclement weather, I will do my best to try and schedule one
How to Register
To learn more about our approach and available lesson times, please email us at willowcrest2008@gmail.com or call 519-503-1799.
Group Lessons (up to 5 riders) - 1 hour; one lesson per week
Assessment Lesson (if rider has previous experience) - 30 minutes, $75 plus HST*very limited availability
Our Coach
Julie Diamond, Equestrian Canada Licensed Coach.
Our Horses
To meet our horses and ponies, please visit the "Meet the Horses" page.
“We absolutely love Julie and the gang at Willowcrest Farm. The lesson program is safe and informative. All around an excellent, affordable atmosphere where the client and horse are all put first!”
— Meagan Luis
