Horseback Riding Lessons & Activities

All campers enrolled in 4 & 8-Week Day Camp participate in scheduled riding lessons during the camp day. Campers ride one to three times per week depending on their grade, preschool through CILT (10th grade). Over the course of 40-minute lessons, campers gain confidence and pride as they learn to ride independently and advance their mastery in English equitation. Riding take place at our private ranch in Moraga, in four spacious riding arenas.

Each camper group rides together at a designated time during their camp day. This allows us to teach lessons geared for each age group and ability, with beginner through advanced instruction. Campers of similar ability take part in safe and fun lessons together in their own riding arena. Instructors lead games at the end of each lesson as a fun way to reinforce learned skills.

We carefully select our riding counselors based on their riding skills and experience teaching children, and campers have the same riding instructor for the whole session. The Day Camp group counselor and junior counselor assist the riding instructor during lessons.

Our herd of 24 horses all have gentle dispositions, and easily win the hearts of our campers.

Campers ride in bareback pads and learn English equitation, so there is no need to wear boots or long pants. Riding helmets are provided.

Riding Activities – English Equitation Skills

English Lessons – Beginner through advanced 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 (Intermediate)
Advanced Jumping (Advanced)
Pasture Trail Rides (Intro to out-of-arena riding)
Obstacle Course (All Abilities)
Cross Country Course (Advanced)
Vaulting (Solo and in Pairs)
Dressage (Advanced)
Drill Team (Intermediate)
Riding in Pairs (All Abilities)

Riding Skill Levels

Lessons are based on specific curriculum for beginner through advanced riders:

Horse Readiness – One-on-one instruction (for Preschoolers and Kindergarten campers). Intro to horse fundamentals and safety.
Intro to Riding – Learn horse fundamentals and safety. Learn to walk, steer, and halt independently.
Beginner – Learn to ride independently and basic equitation. Steer and control your horse at the walk. Intro to trotting.
Advanced Beginner – Master independent riding in the arena. Controlled trot, practice half-halts, turns, riding around obstacles, and changing direction on command at walk and trot.
Intermediate – Mastery of trotting, intro to cantering, intro to jumping. Mastery of jumping position at the walk, and go over 18″ cross rail at walk and trot.
Advanced – Mastery of cantering, jumping skills. Mastery of jumping position at the trot and canter, go over 2′ jumps at the trot and canter.
Advanced-Teen (Jr. High & CILTs) – Advanced riding techniques including dressage, jumping, cross-country, and mastery of gait transitions.

Additional Info

Campers 5th grade and older participate in SuperChoice and can choose riding clinics every Friday.

Want to ride more? Sign up for Saddle Club, one of our CampPlus after-camp program.

Meet our lovable horses! See Our Horse Herd

Day Camp Riding is included as part of 4 & 8-Week Day Camp. It is not included in our Little Raccoons, Outdoor Explorers, or 2-Week Day Camp programs. An optional, after-camp introductory riding program is available for 2-Week Day Campers.

Riding FAQ

How are riding lessons taught?

What if my camper has never ridden?

What is the difference between Day Camp and Horse Day Camp?

Both Day Camp and Horse Day Camp include horseback riding instruction, and each offers different activities with a unique focus:

Roughing It Day Camp ( 4 week sessions / Pre-K-10^th graders) offers a wide variety of outdoor activities to challenge campers of all ages including: horseback riding lessons, swimming, canoeing, boating instruction, fishing, sports, crafts, nature, hiking, and outdoor skills. Campers spend the day with their camper group, which are based on grade and gender. All camp activities are geared for campers' specific grade levels, designed to build skills for beginner - advanced abilities and to be fun for all ages! Our 4 week day camp program is designed to build friendships, camaraderie, and community. Here is more on Roughing It Day Camp and our 4^th grade program.

Horse Day Camp (2 week sessions / 4^th -10^th graders) is a two week specialty English Horseback Riding Camp for beginner through advanced riders. Campers spend all day participating in horse activities at our ride site and ranch in Moraga. Activities include: Two daily English riding lessons, mounted games, horsemanship, vaulting, and horse care. Here’s more information on Horse Day Camp.

Can my camper bring his/her own helmet?

Can my Kindergartener go horseback riding?

Do you have programs for advanced riders?

Absolutely! At the beginning of the first riding lesson, we access each camper's riding ability and put them into one of three groups based on skill level, so riders always work on skills appropriate for them. Advanced riders can practice on our cross-country course, go on trail rides, and work on various disciplines such as dressage, jumping, and drill team. In addition, on Friday afternoon campers 5th grade and up can participate in SuperChoice Riding, where we offer specialty clinics in 3-day eventing, gymkhana, trail courses, and more.

What if my camper wants to ride every day?

Horseback Riding Program

Horseback riding is included for all campers enrolled in 4 & 8 Week Day Camp. Lessons for all ages and abilities beginner through advanced.

Riding Activities – English Equitation Skills

Riding Skill Levels

Additional Info

Riding FAQ