Riding Lessons
At the farm we teaching riding lessons from an english saddle seat riding perspective. We require all riders start in private lessons and work into semi-private lessons (2-3 in a lesson). We work on riding skill sets with each rider to meet the goals they set for their riding experience – exercise, confidence building, balance, or to learning to develop a relationship with a horse – are just a few.
Lessons are 50 minutes long (with the exception of Tiny Tots may be shorter) and include learning safe horse handling, grooming, tacking up and care of the horse after the lesson. Riding is approximately 30 minutes of the lesson time.
Common Lesson Options
Trinity Farm offers a variety of lesson options for all riders whether you are looking to get into the show ring, get back in the saddle after a long absence, or are just starting your riding adventure. All lessons include learning the fundamentals of horse care which includes grooming, plus tacking up and tacking down your horse (*exception: Tiny Tot).
Package Options
Packages come in sets of 5 and 10 lessons. Packages include Traditional and Dual Lessons built into them and have the option to be either private, semi-private, and/or group lessons. Additional lesson options (see below) are purchased separately from the common lessons. All lessons apart from Tiny Tots are 50 minutes long with Tiny Tots being 30 minutes long.
- Private: One on one between Student and an Instructor
- Semi-private: Groups of 2 to 3 Students and an Instructor
- Group: 4 or More Students and an Instructor
Traditional Lesson
Learn all the basics and build a strong understanding of how to ride a horse under saddle. We teach walk, trot, and cantering with double reins and an English saddle seat. Work on posture, core strength and stamina, learn how to properly set up from the top of your head to your toes, and how to have a “conversation” with your horse throughout your ride.
Options for this style of lesson come in Private, Semi-private, and Group Lessons.
Dual Lesson
An exciting option for students who have gotten a few lessons under their belt to learn how to ride both in the saddle and bare back (without a saddle). Spend half the lesson in a traditional lesson and half in a bare back lesson. Great for working on balance, core strength, and confidence. Options for this style of lesson come in Private, Semi-private, and Group Lessons.
Lunge Lesson
A great lesson option to work on balance, confidence, and how your body language talks to your horse. A fun and interactive lesson using a long lead rope connected to an instructor teaching you how to use your body instead of the reins to interact, move, and sit correctly. Options for this style of lesson come in only Private Lessons.
A great lesson option to work on balance, confidence, and how your body language talks to your horse. A fun and interactive lesson using a long lead rope connected to an instructor teaching you how to use your body instead of the reins to interact, move, and sit correctly. Options for this style of lesson come in only Private Lessons.
Tiny Tot
A fun and interactive lesson for children under the age of 7 years old. Children can begin riding at Trinity Farm as young as 3 years old. Tiny Tot lessons are 30 minutes long and are spent in either the round or bull pen with lots of lunge lessons. These lessons include learning horse safety, the different types of tools we use to groom horses, and ride time.
Children that reach age 7 in the Tiny Tot program will be tested on their skills and knowledge of horse safety and receive a certificate that shows they have moved into traditional lessons. Tiny Tot lessons are offered Limited Days for Private, Semi-private, and Group Lessons. Please contact the farm for availability.
Additional Lesson Options
Trinity Farm also offers a fantastic array of ways to broaden your horsemanship skills with these additional options. All lessons listed here are 50 minutes long except for the Pattern lessons which are 30 minutes long.
Show Groups – Academy Fun and Show Team
Open to students planning to compete in Academy shows. Almost all our students compete in this style of showing. A rigorous training lesson with fellow members of the Trinity Farm Show Team. This is a Group Lesson only that involves learning:
- The ins and outs of what judges looks for in a rider and horse while in the show ring
- How to dress, apply make-up, create the correct hairstyle
- How to prep show horses before show day.
- Showmanship attitudes and Teamwork
Fun vs Show Team
Currently Trinity Farm offers two styles of Academy group lessons:
- Fun Show Lessons: a great way to “get your feet wet” in the show scene. A lighter style of judging that involves learning what it is like to go to competition and show against other novice students.
- Academy Show Lessons: These are open to any that have competed in the fun shows and are ready to get into the show ring with advanced show riders. Joining the Show Team requires both an ASHA and IASHA membership and purchase of Trinity Farm Show Team Jacket.
Driving
Trinity Farm also offers horse drawn cart lessons. A great option for anyone that might be nervous to mount or unable to ride for physical reasons, as well as anyone just looking for a new skill to add to their horsemanship abilities.
- Learn how to harness and hook up a horse to a cart and how to drive around the indoor arena at both a walk and trot. It is SUPER fun. This is style of lesson is available for Private and groups of two for safety and space.
Drill Team
Trinity Farm offers Drill Team lessons for those that want to compete in synchronized riding at shows all over Indiana and the surrounding states. Learn how to “dance” around the arena with fellow students with costumes and music while on horseback. Posting Trot for long lengths and understanding diagonals is required to be part of the Drill Team. Available by invitation only to join. Speak Mary Lynn or Destiny for more information and to be considered for the team. Only available in Group Lessons.
Pattern
At Trinity Farm we take great pride in our competitive Pattern class skills. We offer 30-minute lessons on learning all the skills you need to compete in the Pattern classes. Learn how to have a partnership and conversation with your horse that shows all your best skills for a judge. Work on walk, trot, canter, turns, halt and reversing with precise skill in this fun new lesson option. Available in Private and Semi-private lessons.
Pricing
Pricing has been updated for 2023. Please contact us for more information.
Is it better to take private lessons or groups?
There are benefits to private lessons, and benefits to semi-private or group lessons. The ideal schedule is one private and one group lesson per week. In private lessons, the student receives intense individual attention and will progress more rapidly in many areas. However, group lessons are also very beneficial, as the rider must be able to guide around other riders and control the horse in a group. It is also very helpful to watch other riders, and the students in groups learn quite a bit from each other as well. Riders who are interested in showing need to ride in a group as that is what they’ll do in the show ring, and they must be able to maneuver around the other horses.
All new riders will be in private lessons until they have developed some basic skills in guiding, balance and feel confident at the trot. ‘Tiny Tot’s’ will be private lessons until the age of 6.
Trinity Farm 