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 5 Week 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 over the course of 5 weeks. No experience necessary! Ages 6 up
For riders younger than 6 see our Friday night Pony Pals program!!
2024 Fall/Winter Session Dates:
Please note: Full payment is due at the time of registration or your spot will not be held. Registration will open 2 weeks before the start of each new session. Riding times will be sent out shortly after registration and will be between the times of 9am and 1pm. Generally riders who are re registering are earlier in the morning and new riders are later morning
September 14th - October 12th *FULL
October 19th - November 16th *FULL
November 23rd - December 21st *REGISTRATION OPEN
2025 Spring Session Dates:
COMING NOVMEBER 2024
Program Details
Five week program for beginner riders. This program can be repeated multiple times until the rider is ready to move up to the monthly lesson program. For this, they must be able to walk and trot independently all the way around the arena and change direction. The rider must also demonstrate a proper riding position with soft hands and a strong leg. We always accommodate riders who have taken this program multiple times by keeping similar riding levels together until they are ready to move on.
Weeks 1 - 4: 45 minutes of riding
Week 5: In-barn lesson, learning safety, grooming and tacking
$200 plus HST ($226)
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 $175 plus HST ($197.75). 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.
Fall Sessions 2024
Session 1: September 27th to October 18th *FULL
Session 2: October 25th to November 15th *FULL
Limited space
SPRING DATES COMING 2025
Weekly Horseback Riding Lesson Info & Rates
Once riders have graduated from the Saturday beginner lesson program they can move to weekly lessons. Group lessons are 60 minutes in length and riders are matched according to experience and ability.
Lessons are available September to June, Monday to Friday and Sundays, after school and evenings.
Lessons are paid on a monthly basis at a rate of $220.35
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, $67.80 *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
