Riding Lessons

Lessons are conducted by our qualified instructor: Ellen Redden
• Level II Centered Riding Instructor
• British Horse Society Horsemaster
• BHSAI
• Pony Club “A”

Alicia Meconi: has seven years of riding experience and has been assisting with the teaching for over a year.

Our horses are chosen for their especially quiet natures and well trained to provide you with an excellent ride at any level from beginner to advanced. All students groom and tack up their horse before the lesson then untack at the end of the lesson. In the warm weather the lessons are held outside in our huge sand ring, out in the cross-country field and across our back fields.  When the weather is inclement we ride in our bright indoor arena, a delightful place with its dust free footing and great sound system. Trailer-ins are welcome.

New this year: “PONY PALS” a program for 4 – 6 year old horse lovers.  In this one-hour program the “Pony Pals” learn to groom their pony, help put on a saddle and bridle then have a short ride.   Pony Pals are given horse colouring homework to put in their special Pony Pals book. This program is for children accompanied by a parent.  Pony Pals must pay for the entire month, there will be no refunds if there are missed sessions.

Call us for our lesson fee schedule.

Equipment

For safety and comfort, we recommend that students wear:

• Riding boots with a smooth sole and a minimum of a ¾” heal.  Leather paddock boots and half chaps are comfortable and will help you to ride correctly.
• An ASTM or SEI approved well-fitting Riding Helmet. Helmets must be worn whenever students are mounted and are available from Thistledown at a cost of $2 per lesson.
• Riding breeches with a leather knee patch are best, but stretchy fitted pants can be comfortable for the first few lessons.
• Gloves (cotton or leather).  Nice warm lined riding gloves will keep you comfortable in the winter, net backed leather gloves are best for the summer.

Birthday Parties are available for up to 10 children.  Call for more details

Day Camps

Thistledown Equestrian offers week-long day camps for children aged 7 - 15 years and camps for adults occassionally. We encourage campers and their parents to visit our farm, watch a lesson, talk to our students and meet our horses before signing up for the camp. Please contact us for more information.

2008 Summer Camp dates

To reserve your camp spot please fill in the registration form and send it with a down payment of $100 per camp. Final payment must be received by June 18, 2008

Camp Activities:

1. Safety discussions start the day.
2. Stable management – How to look after horses.
3. Grooming and tacking up.
4. Daily Riding Lessons: Campers are divided into small groups according to their age and riding experience.
5. Noon hour: Campers bring their lunch and snacks. They eat while watching horse videos.
6. In the afternoon Campers will play games on horseback. 
7. Hot chocolate warms in winter and popsicles cool in summer as the campers as they learn Horsemanship. 

Friday is Show Day!
Parents and friends are encouraged to come out and watch the horse show on Friday afternoon. Dress for the weather and bring your camera!

Drop off and pick up times:
Drop off  8:30 am, Pick up: 4:30 – 4:45 pm
Earlier or later by special arrangement 

Cost: $275 per week GST included. Book early as there is a limited enrollment.
If you cancel less than fourteen days before your scheduled camp you will be charged a $100 cancellation fee. Once camp has started there will be no refunds.

Download the camp registration form (PDF).

Equipment

For safety and comfort, we recommend that students wear:

• Riding boots or shoes with heels.   We have some boots that you may borrow, let us know what size you require.
• An ASTM or SEI approved well-fitting Riding Helmet. Helmets must be worn whenever students are mounted and are available from Thistledown at a cost of $2 per lesson.
• Riding breeches are best, but stretchy fitted pants, the full length of the leg can be comfortable too.
• Gloves (cotton or leather).

In the winter : Our arena can get quite warm in the sunshine but there are no guarantees about the weather.  Wonderful winter riding breeches are available locally and winter boots and gloves are a good investment.  Hats or ear covering keeps the head warm under the helmet even on the coldest days.  Layering is the best idea so that when the sun comes out you can remove unwanted clothing.  (Mark your name in all clothing).

In the summer: Campers are encouraged to bring a hat, shorts, running shoes etc. for the games and activities in the afternoon.

Cancellations

Lesson Cancellation Policy

In order to obtain the preferred lesson rate, lesson fees are payable in advance at the first of the month. Your lesson spot will be held open for you when the advanced payment is made.
If you are unable to attend your lesson, please give us at least 24 hours notice and the lesson will be rescheduled to the first mutually acceptable time. Cancellations giving less than 24 hours notice, for reasons other than bad weather, the management reserves the right to reschedule the lesson or the student will forfeit the cost of the lesson.

Bad Weather Policy

If the temperature in the arena is below –15° C, lessons will be cancelled.  Please take into consideration that the sun warms the arena. Rescheduling will be at a mutually acceptable time for both student and Thistledown.

If the roads are closed or blowing snow, ice or other bad weather causes a concern for safe driving, your lesson can be cancelled or rescheduled.  Please call us and leave a message so that we know you are safe and not on the road.

Camp Cancellation Policy