Lesson Information

Group Lessons - Overview

Year-round group lessons for ages 9 through adult who are within our fitness and weight guidelines. (For ages 7-8, please see Pee Wee Classes.)
See Class Times with specific class days and times for these levels: Junior Beginners, Beginners, Advanced Beginners, Intermediate/Advanced, Dressage and Jumping.
Sign up for a session, which includes six lessons that meet once a week.
See prices and more under How to Register.
Class size is up to 12, except for Junior Beginner, jumping and dressage.
Lessons include both English and Western equitation, working safely with horses, proper grooming and tacking, as well as practical aspects of horse husbandry and equine science. You’ll spend the majority of your time in the saddle mastering riding skills.
Lessons are held in one of our three riding rings (indoor and outdoor), and on trails around fields and through pastures and woods. The lessons include serious instruction as well as games on horseback to provide a fun way to improve balance, confidence and riding skills.
Learn what to wear and equipment required.
Test into intermediate/advanced classes during a session of group beginner lessons. Riders with recent advanced experience (including over a year of weekly lessons) may request special placement.
Qualifying students may practice ride outside of lessons for an hourly fee.

Junior Beginner Level

Ages 9 through 11 (and some 12 year olds who do not meet the height and weight guidelines for beginner level)
Minimum height: 50”
Minimum weight: 65 lbs.
Maximum weight: Must be in proportion to height and strength of rider

In the Junior Beginner classes only, the horses are tacked and ready for the student when they arrive.
Lessons are in the ring and on the trail and include simple and fun exercises that promote gaining confidence in controlling the horse. Students will learn how to untack the horse and put it away.

Beginner Level

Minimum height: 55”
Minimum weight: 80 lbs.
Maximum weight: 220 pounds and must be in proportion to height and strength of rider
Those who have never ridden before, haven't ridden for a long time, or haven't ridden very often

Lessons focus on posture, gaining an "independent seat," steering the horse and controling the horse through various gaits. Students also learn how to correctly catch, groom and tack the horse. Bareback riding, games on horseback, time for questions, exercises in the ring and riding out on trails will all be a part of the session.

Advanced Beginner Level

You may test into advanced beginner classes during the course of a session or new students with previous lesson/riding experience may talk to Mark about placement at this level.
Class size: Up to 12
Appropriate for:

Ages 12 to adult
Maximum weight: 220 pounds and must be in proportion to height and strength of rider
Those who have ridden before and can meet the requirements listed below.

Lessons focus on refining balance, posture and equitation skills and include dressage exercises, ground pole work, games and riding on the trail.

Intermediate/Advanced Level

You may test into intermediate/adv. classes during the course of a session or new students with extensive lesson/riding experience may talk to Mark about placement at this level.
Class size: Up to 12
Int/Adv level includes Jumping and Dressage, which require Mark's permission to join.
Intermediate/advanced requirements are:

Lessons focus on refining balance, posture and equitation skills and include dressage exercises, ground pole work, games and riding on the trail.

Visit the Ranch and Watch a Group Lesson

Before you register, you are encouraged to visit the ranch to watch a lesson and make certain our group lessons and teaching methods are right for you. To select a time to view a lesson, see Class Times and the Session Calendar. We suggest you come 10 minutes before the class begins to meet Mark and see the start of the class before it goes for a trail ride or out to our big ring, out of view.
See directions to the ranch.

Private and Semi-Private Lessons
(available only for registered group lesson students and lessees)

Private lessons are an option for:
- Long-term group lesson students and lessees, ages 9 and over, who need to focus on a specific training issue, and prior students who may own their own horse and need help with training.
- Students who wish to enter the advanced lessons and want to demonstrate their advanced-level riding prowess.
Cost: $50 for 45 minutes. See Prices page for semi-private lesson prices.
Availability: Private and semi-private lessons are by appointment. Available times are limited and may include some weekdays, some Tuesday evenings and some Sunday afternoons. Because the WRR schedule outside of regular group lessons varies each week, a consistent regularly weekly time for private lessons is not available.
Scheduling: To set up a time, contact Mark at 651/436-6557 or email markward@windyridgeranch.com. If you need to cancel, please call or email at least a day in advance.