Horseback Riding Lessons

Willowcrest Farm offers a great social atmosphere in a healthy, positive, safe environment. Only safe, reliable, well-schooled horses and ponies are chosen to be used in our lesson program.

Horseback riding develops core strength, coordination, and balance - and is great exercise!

Lessons are available for children and adults of all ages and experience levels. Lessons are customized to the rider's skills and experience. Willowcrest also has a five-week beginner program on Saturdays.
Lesson students are offered showing opportunities at schooling shows. We also host summer camps and in-barn shows. In-barn shows are a perfect way to start your show career!
If you aspire to lease or own a horse or pony, you can join our show team of riders who compete at provincial silver and national gold rated shows.

5 Week Beginner Horseback Riding Program (Saturdays)

An introductory experience for young and first-time riders. Riders learn basic safety and skills about horses and are introduced to riding over the course of 5 weeks. No experience necessary! Ages 6 up
For riders younger than 6 see our Friday night Pony Pals program!!

2023 Fall/Winter Session Dates:

(Registration will open 2 weeks before the start of the session on the website only and will only be held with a non refundable deposit of $100. The remainder is due on or before the start date of the session. )

September 16th - October 14th *FULL
October 21st - November 18th *FULL
November 25th - December 23rd *FULL

2024 Spring Session Dates:

February 10th - March 9th*FULL
March 16th - April 13th*FULL
April 20th - May 18th*FULL
May 25th - June 22nd*registration not open yet

Register for Saturday Beginner Program *If there is a password it means registration is not open yet or program is full

Program Details

Five week program for beginner riders. This program can be repeated multiple times until the rider is ready to move up to the monthly lesson program. For this, they must be able to walk and trot independently all the way around the arena and change direction. The rider must also demonstrate a proper riding position with soft hands and a strong leg.
Weeks 1 - 4: 45 minutes of riding
Week 5: In-barn lesson, learning safety, grooming and tacking
$175 plus HST ($197.75)
Boot with a small heel required. Dress for the weather.
Please note that unfortunately we cannot offer any makeups for missed lesson days for the beginner program

Friday Night Pony Pals

Our Friday night Pony Pals program is designed for young riders ages 3 to 5 years old. The program requires one parent to attend with each rider. Parents and rider will learn safety around the barn and horses/ponies, grooming and tacking up and how to lead a horse properly through obstacles. There will also be some pony rides! This program runs 4 weeks for 1 hour each Friday at a cost of $160 plus HST. It is a great introduction to the world of horses and a great opportunity to meet the rest of the animals here at Willowcrest.

Spring Sessions 2024

April 5th to 26th *FULL
May 3rd to 24th *FULL

**More dates may be added depending on interest in this program

Register Here

Weekly Horseback Riding Lesson Info & Rates

Once riders have graduated from the Saturday beginner lesson program they can move to weekly lessons. Group lessons are 60 minutes in length and riders are matched according to experience and ability.

Lessons are available September to June, Monday - Thursday, after school and evenings.

Lessons are paid on a monthly basis at a rate of $180 plus HST ($203.40)

How to Register

To learn more about our approach and available lesson times, please email us at willowcrest2008@gmail.com or call 519-503-1799.

Email Us to Register

Group Lessons (up to 5 riders) - 1 hour; one lesson per week
Individual Trial Lesson (if rider has previous experience) - 30 minutes, $67.80 including HST *very limited availability