Riding Instruction at Camp
Riding at Chincapin Camp: a RICH TRADITIOn
Chincapin Camp, founded in 1957, focuses on the fundamentals of English riding, emphasizing safety and horsemanship. Our dependable lesson horses, alongside experienced instructors, create a fun and positive learning environment for every camper.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider looking to hone your skills, our experienced staff makes our camp the place to ride! For summer camp horseback riding, check out Chincapin Camp and learn more about spring and fall lessons below.
Winter Sessions:
On the Ground with Horses
Explore the fundamentals of working with horses in our Groundwork Clinic Series. This series is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their skills and build confidence on the ground with horses. It focuses fully on groundwork techniques designed to deepen your connection and understanding of these magnificent animals.
Dates:
November 16th, 2024
December 14th, 2024
January 11th, 2025
February 8th, 2025
Time:
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Cost:
$25 per session
$75 for all 4 sessions
Session Breakdown:
Session 1: Leading, Walk Lunging
Session 2: Body Language & Ground Manners
Session 3: Barn Manners, Grooming, and Care
Session 4: Obstacle Course & Liberty Work – Pulling It All Together
Registration:
Secure your spot today! Whether you're a beginner or just looking to refresh your skills, these sessions are designed to be educational, engaging, and fun for horse enthusiasts of all levels.
Day at the Barn
Ever wonder what it’s like to work at a barn? Our Day at the Barn workshop is designed just for Red Oak campers—young girls and boys eager to experience a "day in the life" of caring for horses and managing a barn. This nature-based, hands-on experience at Red Oak Camp will help campers learn the ins and outs of barn work, all while having fun outdoors!
Dates:
December 7th, 2024
March 1st, 2025
Time:
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost:
$30 per session
What You’ll Experience:
How to feed and care for horses during the day
Turning in and turning out horses
Cleaning stalls and barn maintenance
Grooming horses and understanding their daily care needs
Tack and equipment upkeep
Managing the daily tasks and responsibilities of working in a barn
This interactive workshop will give campers a behind-the-scenes look at barn life, teaching responsibility, teamwork, and care for animals—all core elements of Red Oak’s mission.
Registration:
Sign up today to secure your spot! This is a unique opportunity for campers to step into the boots of barn staff and experience the rewarding work of caring for horses.
Riding Lessons
We offer riding lesson sessions each Spring and Fall. We also schedule private lessons all school year. We work with all types of riders from a wide range of skill levels and ages. Adults also enjoy our lessons!
Our riding instructors ensure a tailored experience, uniting participants with suitable horses.
Riding lessons are offered in multi-week sessions. Riders will be grouped based on skill. Our riding instructor team will create lesson groups matching riders with appropriate horses. We are happy to accommodate private lessons.
Fall Lesson Session
Exciting Promotion
Get a friend to register for lessons, and both of you will receive one free lesson! To qualify, your friend must be new to our riding program and have never ridden or camped with us. Share the joy of riding and double the fun.
Open to Boys and Girls
Our riding program is designed for everyone. We welcome both boys and girls to join in the adventure!
Multiple Lessons Available
You can take multiple lessons each week, offering more opportunities to improve your riding skills and enjoy your time with our horses.
Not just for kids!
We work with campers entering 1st grade up to adults. It’s never too early or too late to start your riding journey with us! Please note that campers under the age of 8 and most adults need private lessons.
Scholarships Available
We believe everyone should have the opportunity to ride. If you need help, scholarships are available to help cover some of the cost of the lessons. Please contact us for more information.
Lesson Schedule: Sep 2nd - Oct 26 (8 weeks)
Monday - Friday: 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM
Saturday:
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
1:30 PM - 2:45 PM
3:00 PM - 4:15 PM
To apply for lessons, please fill out the form below. After you complete the form, our team will do our best to accommodate your schedule and contact you directly to enroll your camper.
Summer Riding Programs 2024!
Acorns Rising 1st - 2nd graders.
Two experiences at the barn each week, one of which includes a mounted riding lesson.
Chincapin Riders Rising 3rd - 7th graders.
Two mounted lessons and two ground lessons each week. Campers will be grouped by riding ability.
NEW THIS YEAR: The “Barn Bunch” 3rd - 10th graders - see requirements below
Barn Bunch Campers spend their mornings at the Chincapin Equestrian Center, with four mounted lessons and five ground lessons each week—lots of time in the saddle and the barn to bond with the ponies and their friends, learning and making memories together. These independent riders, grouped by ability, want to take their skills to the next level. These equestrians will be deeply involved in horse care and barn management, learning from and loving their time together at Chincapin! Afternoons are spent at Basecamp for all the other fun activities, including swimming, canoeing, ropes course, woodshop, crafts, and more!
Requirements for The Barn Bunch:
Campers must apply for consideration to qualify for this program.
Applicants must demonstrate independence in their riding skills with a free riding evaluation at the farm (scheduled here) or by sending a video (uploaded here).
This program requires a minimum attendance of three camp weeks, preferably consecutive weeks, to build skills and bonds.
Space is highly limited, with no more than five riders per group.
After your application is accepted, this program will cost an additional $100 per week. Fees for this program will not be applied until your application is accepted.
