BECOME A SKILLED EQUESTRIAN
Join us this summer, no matter your level.
Bonnie Lea Farm prides itself on teaching horsemanship as well as strong equitation (proper riding position). As a result, our students are life-long riding students who know how to care for their horses.
FULL-DAY SESSIONS:
Full Days run from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday and are for those with endurance who are able to or capable of learning to saddle independently.
Students, ages 7 and up, improve their equitation, learn about horse care and participate in a number of activities. Topics range from grooming and stable management to training and emergency care depending on the level of the student. (Special weeks or sessions may be available for those 5 years and older.)
Students, have a lesson in full day sessions. To increase skills and have fun, students may also enjoy gymkhana (games on horseback), short trail rides, video review and judging exercises depending on the week. Special demonstrations may include trailering, longeing & free schooling, blacksmith/farrier, veterinarian or wound care. Students should bring snacks, lunch and drinks. It is helpful for these students to have their own grooming kit, but not required.
Want to Bring Your Own Horse? Participants are welcome to board their horse during camp. Please contact us for more details.
A Few More Details:
Safety is the first priority and students will not be allowed to ride without helmets and proper gear. Participants should arrive with a properly fitted helmet.** Boots with a small heel are required. Students need long pants for riding and should have shorts to wear during other activities on the hot days. Long hair must be tied back and no jewelry should be worn. The number of students per session will be limited.
** Please ask for a coupon to Dover Saddlery in Latham where they are able to properly fit a helmet. Those with plans to show should be sure to purchase matte black helmets.
With growing interest in riding and showing, we are changing our schedule a bit this summer to meet the needs of our current and returning riders. We offer lessons and leasing year-round.
For returning riders, please contact us if you are interested in afternoon lessons, showing, or leasing, to get on the schedule. We encourage riders to consider leasing for the spring, summer and fall. The best way to improve your equitation and horsemanship is to ride daily. For those just learning to ride that have not mastered tacking up and the confidence and safety for independent riding, we hope you will join us for half or full day horse program sessions.
Trying to identify your level?
- Beginner – learning balance, steering, leg yield, and learning to walk and trot
- Advanced Beginner – continue to improve walk and trot (with correct diagonal), learning to canter and possibly jump cross-rails (PHA Short/Long Stirrup)
- Intermediate – continue to improve flat work (including yielding & bending) and begin jumping a course AND learn to polish skills (PHA Pre-Children’s Equitation)
- Advanced Intermediate – (PHA Children’s Equitation) Can jump a course (building to 2’6) & continue to improve flat work (including bending, riding “round”).
- Advanced – (PHA Modified Junior Equitation and Junior Riders) Advanced flat work, training techniques, Jump solid 3′
BonnieLea.com
511 North Street Williamstown, MA 01267
BonnieLeaFarm@gmail.com – 413-441-6349 (text Coach Lisa)