Horseback Riding Lessons

Evergreen Stables Equestrian Center in Scottsville, NY with evergreen trees

Lesson Information

Rider on lesson horse jumping a cross-rail jump in the indoor arena

We start horseback riding lessons at age 7, though older children are able to learn more, and learn more quickly. Adult Students are also very welcome to start up horseback riding lessons. We have safe lesson horses that will teach you what you need to know about how to control the horse in many situations. Our emphasis is on the equitation (how you look and ride the horse) of the rider. We believe that if the rider has good equitation, then the rider could ride most any horse or discipline.

Our horseback riding lessons are only private (1 rider) or semi-private (2 or 3 riders) lessons. We rarely do group lessons (more than 3 riders). You can have a horseback riding lesson on your horse or one of our lesson horses. It’s $35 for a 45 minute semi-private (2 riders) lesson or $45 for a 45 minute private lesson. We teach everyone how to tack, untack and care for the horse. That includes, grooming, tacking, warming up, riding, and cooling down your horse. We want you learn how to take care of a horse in the event you would ever want to buy one or even lease.

Weather

We teach horseback riding lessons year round but we do cancel when the weather is too hot or too cold. Generally when the temperature is below 20 degrees and above 85 degrees. Of course, if you have to cancel for any reason, let us know as soon as possible. Please check the top page of this website or on Facebook for any cancellations and other topics of interest.

Schedule

We have horseback riding lessons every day of the week excluding Sundays. Most lessons are Monday through Friday from 5pm-8pm. Also Saturdays from 10am-3pm. Please call, text or email for availability. Horseback riding lessons are usually once a week, for as many weeks as you would like to do. Keep coming and taking lessons, but let us know if things change. There are no sessions to sign up for. You are also welcome to come watch a lesson before taking any. Just let us know and we can tell you when lessons are going on.

Riding Apparel

TuffRider Women's front zip paddock boot — TuffRider Women's Start Front Zip Paddock Boot

Minimal equipment is needed to start taking horseback riding lessons.

We provide riding helmets.
Long pants are a must. Jeans are usually the easy solution.
A boot with a heel is required. You don't have to get official riding boots.
You are welcome to wear chaps (long or half), breeches or jodhpurs.

not boots — Please do not wear these while riding

Show Pictures

ESRAS Empire State Riding Academy Series

Julie At show — Horse Shows for Lesson Students

The Empire State Riding Academy Series (ESRAS) is a series of horse shows held by lesson barns for lesson students, and only for lesson students and lesson horses. Anyone competing in these horse shows cannot own a horse, lease a horse, and must be taking lessons and show on a lesson horse. All of these shows are English riders only. This is a group of 4 shows in the summer for lesson students on lesson horses only. Both Adult riders and Juniors have fun showing off their skills. There are many different levels from walk-trot all the way to advanced jumping levels. This year has four showing time and places. All are held on Saturdays. Website created by Jennifer Bailey: ESRAS shows to learn more about this series and the stables that participate. If you want to try showing, talk to your instructor.

We provide the horse for you to ride in the show.
Horse show riding apparel is strongly encouraged to buy but we will provide the jackets.
A tall boot is encouraged for older students and more advanced riders. You are welcome to wear half chaps with paddock boots but they must be leather not suede
We will help you throughout the show day with each of your classes explaining what you will need to do.

Lesson Horses

Here is a basic list of our lesson horses that we have here at Evergreen Stables

Aladdin: March 15th, 2005, 15.2H, Black, Thoroughbred Gelding Rides English and Western. Turning into a nice advanced beginner horse who has been going to shows. Started over crossrails. Enjoys being ridden and getting out of his stall.

Cutter: 26 years old, 14.1 Hands, "black", Quarter Horse/Morgan Gelding Rides English and Western but prefers Western A wonderful bombproof beginner horse with the smoothest canter/lope around. Loves to be groomed and go on trail rides.

Danny: About 21 years old, 16 Hands, Chestnut, Draft Cross Gelding Rides English and Western. He's best suited for the advanced rider. Great jumping and show horse. And don't let his age fool you. He still looks and feels like he's 10.

Happy: 19 years old, 14.2 Hands, Black and White, Paint Mare Rides English only. Jumps and goes to shows. Overall perfect beginner horse and more fun for the advanced students as well.

Mac: 18 years old, 16 Hands, Bay, Thoroughbred Gelding More Advanced English horse. Jumps and goes to shows.

Rosemary: April 30th, 2000, 19 years old, 15.2 Hands, Chestnut, Quarter Horse/Paint Mare Rides English and western. She does both equally well. Is not a fan of going to shows but is very easy to ride at home.

Sage: May 20th, 2006, 13 years old, 15 Hands, Cremello, Paint Gelding Rides both Western and English. He's a forward horse that advanced riders enjoy. Loves Horse shows.

Strider: About 25 years old, 16.3 Hands, Bay, Thoroughbred Gelding Overall beginner English horse. Does also ride western and is bit bouncy for it. No longer jumps and no longer goes to shows.

Trigger: 20 years old, 15.2 Hands, Palomino, Quarter Horse Gelding English, Western Horse who is willing to do anything but stubborn if you let him get away with it. Shows, jumps, trail rides and seems as bombproof as you can get.

Our barn kitty, Autumn. Loves to be petted and loved on. Will lay in your lap while you watch lessons.