Lessons
Thank you for your interest in taking horseback riding lessons with HMC Equestrian LLC! Please see our class descriptions below and let us know if you have questions about the appropriate class for your riding ability. We look forward to seeing you in the saddle soon!
Levels
PLEASE note a rider's progression through these various lesson levels may take a while, as each level teaches a lot of new information. Horseback riding takes a lot of muscle strength, balance, and rhythm. How quickly those skills are developed is different in every rider. We never want to rush a rider to a higher level than they are ready for.
When registering for group lessons, please note all new students (age 5-17) years old must register for our beginner lessons. New adult students may register for either adult-only or beginner lessons. If you have prior riding experience and feel you would be better suited for our intermediate or advanced lessons, you MUST schedule an evaluation lesson with us BEFORE scheduling group lessons. Evaluation lessons are scheduled based on student and instructor availability. To schedule, email us at: hmcequestrianllc@gmail.com.
All riders must have permission before signing up for Intermediate, Advanced 1, and Advanced 2 lessons. If you have questions about what level you or your child should be in, please talk with your instructor or contact us.
Types of Lessons
Group
In Barn Grooming & Horse Care Group Lessons
Private & Semi-Private
We offer group lessons for riders 5 years old and up and even have adult-only lessons on Sunday evenings. In general, we offer group lessons on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and there are usually 5-7 riders per class. For students looking for mid-day lessons in particular, we offer a group Beginner & Intermediate Combined lesson on Tuesday mornings.
All lesson prices are on our scheduling website.
Private & Semi-Private
In Barn Grooming & Horse Care Group Lessons
Private & Semi-Private
We recommend our 60 minute private/semi-private lessons for students who are 8 years old and above with prior riding experience; we recommend our 30 minute private/semi-private lessons for students who are 5 to 8 years old OR those who are beginners at any age.
All 60 minute private lessons are booked directly through our website. To book private lessons for 30 minutes or with multiple people, please email us at: hmcequestrianllc@gmail.com.
All lesson prices are on our scheduling website.
In Barn Grooming & Horse Care Group Lessons
In Barn Grooming & Horse Care Group Lessons
In Barn Grooming & Horse Care Group Lessons
In these lessons, students will learn how to properly groom, tack, and care for horses. Lessons will also focus on safety working in and around horses as well as proper barn care. This group lesson will be offered in the barn only; no horseback riding lesson included. We strongly suggest all students new to HMCE and all beginner students register for these in barn group lessons!
Students are required to attend at least 5 of these in barn group lessons before being considered for intermediate or higher horseback riding lessons.
All lesson prices are on our scheduling website.
HMCE Policies and Procedures
Appointment Rescheduling Policy
Appointments may only be rescheduled, and these changes must be made up to 48 hours before the start of your class. No appointments may be rescheduled within 48 hours of the class start time, regardless of illness or emergency. We cannot accept cancellations at any time.
If a Day Camp registration must be rescheduled, the Day Camp registration fees may only be applied to another Day Camp that same year. If a Spring Break, Winter Break or Summer Camp must be rescheduled, the credit may only be applied to other Spring Break, Winter Break or Summer Camps that same year. Also, all changes to camp registrations must be made up to 60 days before the start of the first day of camp; camp registration changes cannot be made within 60 days of the start of the first day of camp. We cannot accept camp cancellations at any time.
Arrival and Departure Procedures for Lessons
Please plan to arrive 20-30 minutes before your lesson to groom and tack your horse and plan to stay about 20 minutes after your lesson to untack, give treats and turn out your horse. If your horse is used in the lesson before yours, you are welcome to watch the prior lesson from outside the gate and learn from the ground.
For those who are not familiar with our procedures for grooming, tacking, untacking and turning out, our staff will work with you to teach you the necessary steps.
Parents/Guardians Must Remain on Premises for Lessons
All parents and guardians must remain on the premises while anyone 16 years old or younger is riding in a lesson. Horseback riding is a high-risk sport, and accidents may happen. Therefore, parents and guardians must remain onsite in case of emergency.
Arrival and Departure Procedures for Camps
Parents and guardians must come into the barn to sign in each camper at drop-off and sign out each camper at pick-up. Carpools are allowed to help with transportation. On the first day of camp, parents and guardians will be asked to verify emergency contact and medical information that we have on file for the camper. Parents and guardians do not need to remain on the premises during camp.
COVID Precautions and Requirements
If a rider or someone in the rider's immediate family is exhibiting symptoms of COVID or has been exposed to someone with COVID, please do not come to the barn for your lesson until every family member has been cleared in accordance with CDC guidelines.
Anyone who has been fully vaccinated may choose to wear or not wear a mask while visiting HMC Equestrian.
Thank you for adhering to these important policies and procedures! We look forward to seeing you at the barn soon!
What to Wear/Bring With You
Recommendations/Suggestions
We recommend riders wear the following clothing items for a safe and enjoyable lesson:
- Leggings or athletic type pants are best if you don't own riding breeches. Long pants are required, please no shorts, jeans, or pants with adornments on the seat pockets such as buttons, studs, or jewels. Here is an example.
- Boots with a heel. Here is an example.
- Horse back riding approved helmet, ATSM and SEI Certified. Please no bike helmets. We have some helmets for riders that don't have their own, but it's best if the rider is fit for their own helmet. Here is an example.
- Layered clothing with zippers - We recommend dressing in layers with zipper closures for fast and easy removal during a lesson.
- Gloves with a grip are also helpful. Example
- Water Bottle
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
Visit some of our favorite local stores (Dover Saddlery, Saddlery Liquidators, Middleburg Tack Exchange, and Another Turn Tack) or online stores (Smartpak, Riding Warehouse, and Stateline Tack).
Preparing for Fall and Winter Lessons
Neither rain nor shine will keep us from riding horses! To help our students and parents prepare for fall and winter lessons, we’ve compiled a list of helpful hints and links that will hopefully keep you comfy and safe during your lesson:
- Dressing in layers is key
- Zip-up hoodies, jackets and vests that can be removed easily keep the flow of lessons going
- Gloves with a grip (This is a good idea year-round, though!)
- Boot and hand warmers keep fingers and toes warm, but remember to wiggle them to promote circulation (especially before dismounting)
- Insulated riding pants are very helpful
- Parents not waiting in cars will find it helpful to bring blankets or sleeping bags to stay warm