Horseback Riding for Teens
(5th grade and above)
Older Day Campers, in addition to participating in our regular Day Camp Riding Program, get to take part in Western Equitation lessons & riding on our Trail Obstacle Course. To learn more about our Teen Riding program and other Teen activities click here.

Roughing It employs its own riding staff and all senior instructors are Instructor Certified by the Certified Horsemanship Association.

Horseback riding is an integral part of Roughing It's Day Camp program, along with American Red Cross swimming lessons, fishing, rowing, canoeing, kayaking, sports, arts & crafts, adventure and outdoor skills. We offer horseback riding lessons for campers 4 to 16 years of age. All campers ride in the English discipline. Older campers also have the option of taking a Western riding lesson weekly. Our riding programs are located at our private riding site in Moraga.

Transportation Included!
Door to door and centralized pick up in Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Danville, Piedmont, Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, San Ramon, Alamo, Martinez and San Francisco!

Day Camp Riding Activities - All Ages 4 - 16

Horse Readiness
Novice Introductory Course
Horseback Riding Instructions / Lessons
Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) lesson curriculum for beginning through advanced riders. Campers can earn awards for completing one of four CHA skill levels.
Gymkhana Events
Games on horseback-a fun part of every lesson! Examples include: Red Light Green Light (Beginner), Musical Horses (Advanced Beginner) Pole Bending (Advanced).
Fundamentals of Jumping
Pasture Trail Rides (Intro to out-of-arena riding
Cross Country Course (Advanced)
Vaulting (Solo and in pairs)
Dressage (Advanced)
Drill Team (Intermediate)
Riding in Pairs
Western Equitation & Trail Obstacle Course (Campers 5th grade & older)
Teen Day Camp Riding Activities
Teen SuperChoice Riding Activities

Day Campers develop English riding and horsemanship skills in classes geared towards each camper's individual ability level. Each group rides one to three times a week, depending on age. Day campers are divided into riding groups based on ability: novice riders begin with horse readiness, followed by beginner, advanced beginner, intermediate, advanced and junior trainer levels for the more experienced riders. Depending on ability level, campers can ride on our trails, trail obstacle course, and cross country course.

Our day camp riding program consists of English instruction on bareback pads, which greatly improves camper's balance and riding position. Our horses have gentle dispositions and easily win the hearts of campers.