Lessons

Lockwood Park offers four week sessions of horseback riding lessons for ages three and older. We offer different classes and levels to accommodate all ages, skill levels, and horsemanship skills. Private lessons are also available for more advanced riders or those seeking one-on-one experience.

Group Lessons

Pony Club

AGES: 8-12

Come join our Pony Club at Lockwood Park where our love of horses meets hands on experience! We will dive into learning how to properly care for our equine partners and their riding equipment. We will also be doing groundwork with horses and ponies. This club will be bursting with horse facts and trivia, as well as teach young riders horseback riding etiquette and safety. Parents/Guardians are welcome to observe outdoor activities, but indoor activities will be for participants only.

My Little Pony

Ages: 3-4

Enjoy quality time with one of our sweet ponies! Participants will learn basic riding skills like mounting and dismounting, stopping, steering, and walking. One lesson will be a trail ride. Other activities may include leading games, pony grooming, and other fun hands-on horse lessons. Two side-walkers are required. Lockwood can provide side-walkers for an additional fee of $18 each (paid in advance).

Take the Reins

Ages: 5-7

Build on beginner riding skills and independence. Skills taught will be leading, mounting and dismounting, stopping, steering and walking forward. Side walkers are not utilized in this class, but we may need a parent or guardian to lead a pony/horse on a Trail Ride. The Trail Rides are usually the last class, weather dependent.

Horseback Riding Level 1: Beginner

Ages: 8+

Riders will learn about courage and beginner riding skills including: introduction to “pressure and release”, how to groom your horse, leading, mounting and dismounting, walking, stopping, steering, spacing, and introduction to lead-line trotting (if ready).

Note: Weight limit for riding is 190 lbs.

Horseback Riding Level 2: Advanced Beginner

Ages: 8+

Riders will learn about compassion and improve their horsemanship skills. Skills taught include: learn how to saddle your horse, master basic control at the walk, improve equitation posture, begin trotting independently at both a sitting and posting trot, and practice balance and control at the trot.

Successful completion of Level 1: Beginner is required or call for a riding evaluation.

Note: Weight limit for riding is 190 lbs.

Horseback Riding Level 3: Intermediate

Ages: 8+

Learn about the importance of integrity and how it affects your riding success. Skills include: groom and tack your lesson horse, perfect equitation posture at walk and trot, speed control at the trot, smoother transitions between gaits, learn posting trot diagonals, and begin using leg aids for steering.

Successful completion of Level 2: Advanced-Beginner required or call for a riding evaluation.

Note: Weight limit for riding is 190 lbs.

Horseback Riding Level 4: Advanced

Ages: 8+

Learn about perseverance and work on skills, such as: groom and tack your lesson horse, maintaining a consistent speed at a trot, master diagonals at a posting trot, learn diagonal changes, trotting patterns, using seat and leg aids to support your horse, learn to bridle, and introduction to cantering (if ready).

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level 3: Intermediate, or call for a skill placement test.

Note: Weight limit for riding is 190 lbs.

Hit the Trails - Trail Ride Class

Ages: 8+

Take your riding adventure to the trails in the scenic woods of Lockwood Park and Anna Page Park. Learn trail ride safety, etiquette, and do's and don'ts of riding while learning to read your horse's body language and assess your surroundings.

Note: Weight limit for riding is 200 lbs.

Silver Saddles

Ages: 50+

Get active, meet new people, connect with the park's horses, and enjoy the beautiful scenic trails of Lockwood Park and Anna Page Park. Learn trail ride safety, etiquette, and do's and don'ts of riding while learning to read your horse's body language and assess your surroundings.

Note: Weight limit for riding is 200 lbs.

Horse Course

Ages: 14+

Learn how to care for our equine partners from the ground! In this four-week course, participants will get hands-on experience while learning how to properly groom, lead, feed, and work with their assigned horse. This course will include a natural horsemanship demonstration and a nature walk with your horse.

Private/Semi-Private Lessons

Western, English, and Natural Horsemanship!

For those who prefer one-on-one instruction, semi-private (one instructor, two students) or private (one instructor, one student) lessons are offered. These can follow the basic format of group lessons or be geared to a particular skill the rider wants to learn or improve on. Instruction in advanced skills such as loping and cantering is only offered through semi-private/ private lessons.  

Grooming and tacking/untacking will be included in the lessons.

Please call 815-987-8809 to schedule, and be ready to tell us your riding experience, height, and weight so we can match you with the appropriate horse/pony. 

Weight Limit: 200lbs

Scheduling is dependent on availability of instructors, arena, and horses 

Private Lessons

Ages: 3-6

Starting in March

• 45 minutes- $35 per person 

• Ages 3-4: Private only and on a lead line 

• Ages 5-6: Private or semi-private (2 participants)

Private/Semi-Private Lessons

Ages: 7+

Starting in May

• Privates Lesson for 1 hour- $60 per person 

• Semi-private Lesson for 1 hour - $45 per person (max of 2 people)