Lessons

“Horses are your mirror, if you are tired they will respond to that level of energy. If you are high strung, they will feed off of you.  Be calm and assertive and you will speak through body language and be in charge.”  – Lisa DeMayo

At Bonnie Lea Farm, safety comes first; the safety of the rider and the horse. We encourage riders to own their helmets, although helmets are on hand at the farm. All riders must wear helmets and proper footwear.

Lessons are offered Monday through Friday during the day and early evenings and on some weekends, depending on the show schedules. (As of Jan 2025, weekend lessons are currently on Sundays.) Group lessons are usually 3 to 5 riders. A private lesson may be suggested for first time students. Lessons must be scheduled in advance.

Price List:
1 Hour Group Lesson – $100 at time of lesson.
1 Hour WEEKLY – Monthly PREPAID package – $280
1 Hour TWICE WEEKLY – Monthly PREPAID package – $495
1/2 Hour Private Lesson – $150
1 Hour Semi-Private Lesson – $150
1 Hour Private Lesson – $175
20 Minutes Pony Ride – $75 appropriate for riders age 4 and up. Please call ahead for availability.

  • The lesson packages cannot be broken into individual lessons. Packages must be prepaid by the 7th of each month.
  • For safety, jumping lessons will be limited to those students taking 2 lessons per week.
  • Missed lessons should be rescheduled. Unused weekly lessons in a prepaid monthly package may not be carried to the following month. Please give 24-hour notice and arrange a make-up time. Last minute cancelations and no-shows will be charged and not eligible for makeups. Multiple occurrences may forfeit your lesson spot.
  • By missing weekly lessons and not taking make-ups, riders do not progress and fall behind their peer riders so they no longer fit in the level of lesson. They are also missing general communication and horsemanship discussion that occurs during a lesson.
  • The number of school horses kept at the farm are determined by the level of participation in lessons. Horses are fed daily and cared for even if you cannot make your lesson.

Bonnie Lea Farm lessons are usually divided into levels of ability. Although many students get attached to a particular horse, it is very important for riders to become versatile and more skilled by riding different horses. Learning proper care of the horse and equipment is just as important as learning to ride.

  “The funny thing about horseback riding lessons is that they are lessons for life as well; look where you are going, because you go where you look.” Lisa DeMayo

Please be sure to complete this waiver prior to riding at Bonnie Lea.

WAIVER FOR RIDING AT BONNIE LEA FARM

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 and 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 already jump a course (building to 2’6) AND 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′ course.

ABOUT OUR INSTRUCTOR

Lisa DeMayo is the primary instructor and owner at Bonnie Lea Farm. She has been licensed to teach riding in Massachusetts for over 30 years (since she was 16 years old.) Lisa is a United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Certified Trainer. She is a graduate of Boston College with a major in education. She recognizes and values that a true equestrian learns as much about herself as she does about equitation and horsemanship in the the pursuit of excellence.

Lisa actively continues to master her own riding technique and training through regularly participating in clinics, showing and reading. Some of the instructors and clinicians with whom she has ridden include George Morris, Frank Madden, Tom Curtin, Greg Best, Daniel Stewart and Dan Kelly. Lisa continues to take lessons and loves working on her own special project horses. She enjoys providing training for customers’ horses and holding clinics at the farm to help owners grow with their horses. She is currently the coach for the Williams College Equestrian Team.

Lisa is a member of the Western New England Professional Horseman’s Association, the USEF, USHJA, Williamstown Chamber of Commerce and Farm Bureau. She served on the Williamstown Agriculture Commission and is a MA certified animal control officer.

Other qualified instructors may teach or assist students during the summer.

NEED MORE INFORMATION? Ask for our Welcome Book.