We believe above all....safety comes first! Every student, boarder, leaser and trainer are required to wear an ASTM-SEI certified helmet (provided at facility), long pants and proper heeled boots.

Ivy Rock believes that riders of all abilities and disciplines achieve the greatest benefits from the consistency in their lessons. We provide professional and qualified instructors, volunteers and horses for our riders. We serve a significant number of riders each week, and take great efforts to find time slots that best meet their needs. As a result, we ask all our riders to make a commitment to attend their lessons for each session that they enroll in and follow the general lesson policies of the Stable.

Ivy Rock's lesson program is designed for individuals of all ages, wanting to learn and further develop their horsemanship skills in environment that is safe, comfortable and supportive. While you can ride daily or once a month, the majority of students attend a private or group lesson once a week. The lesson develops at a pace tailored for the rider(s) and teach a broad range of equitation skills from the basics of all 3 gaits, to beginning techniques of western horsemanship, trail, jumping, dressage, driving, or pleasure. Students ride a wide assortment of horses of different breeds, so they become familiar with and understand the differences each new mount presents. Included with the horsemanship skills acquired, students are encouraged to learn how to bathe and clip horses, clean and care for tack, and for more advanced students longe horses. We do offer trail lessons and gaming lessons to break the routine of regular lessons.

We also offer therapeutic lessons throughout the year. Our NAHRA certified instructor is available for individual and group lessons. Therapeutic riding is instruction on horseback by a specially trained and certified instructor who considers the physical, mental and emotional strengths and weaknesses of each rider. This type of therapy often brings forth communication and speech, and the horse offers movement similar to the human gait which helps improve muscle tone, balance, posture, strength, body awareness and most importantly, confidence.

Schooling horse shows at the barns are planned 3x a year for all students. These shows are always an exciting event: all classes are judged, and ribbons are earned for 1st-6th place. The experience and enjoyment of competing in a real horse show helps students set goals as they discover their level of skill. Ivy Rock Farms recognizes that all riders will develop at their own pace, so any student who feels they are being either held back or pushed too quickly should talk to their instructor or Shelley about making a change. It is very important to us that each student receive the quality of instruction they require and deserve.

Practice Ride Sessions
Once basic ground skills (such as tacking up and grooming) are mastered and riding skills are evaluated, Practice Ride Sessions are offered to all students .for $30 a ride. The student may come out into the arena for an hour and practice, under supervision, the riding skills they have been learning. This is a wonderful and economical way to get more saddle time in. We encourage practice rides weeks before shows and clinics. As they say, practice makes perfect!

Guys Night and Ladies Night
Meeting Monday and Wednesday nights, Ivy Rock provides this drop in basis group lesson. It is a great way to learn and have a blast doing it. Our adults have so much fun that they have no idea that they are truly learning how to ride.We welocme all riders of all levels and disciplines. It is a super flexible group and you can pop in when it is most convenient for you. Call Alexis for more information.

Hobby Horse Lease Package
This is a very economical way to practice having a horse to call your own, without all of the financial responsibilities of ownership. Come to ride, groom, play and visit with the horse you choose. 3-6 rides per week are included in the packagse, and students are welcome to ride anytime instructors are teaching. Please visit the Sales/Lease page for more information.

Gift Certificates are available NOW with purchase through Paypal. If you would like to order without using Paypal please call our office at 845-534-0365

Lesson prices
30 minute private lesson	* $40
40 minute private lesson	* $50
1 hour private lesson	* $65
1 hour semi-private lesson	* $45
1 hour group lesson	* $40
2 hour trail lesson	* $90
* Prices may vary with instructors

Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What type of clothing and shoes should I wear to riding lessons?
A. Suitable attire includes long pants or jeans, a shirt that tucks in and hardsoled shoes with a low heel. Absolutely no tennis shoes, sandals, flip flops or clogs! Most hard soled shoes with a flat sole work fine for riding; they don't have to be boots. Oxfords and penny loafers are examples of shoes that are acceptable for riding when you are just getting started. If you don't already have boots, do NOT buy cowboy boots. Cowboy boots are difficult to learn to ride in because there is a very small space for the stirrup on the sole. I recommend Paddock boots, but if you must have cowboy boots, buy Ropers as they have the largest flat sole. Paddock boots have a flat level sole with a low heel which maximizes foot comfort while riding. They come in either a lace up or zip style and are affordable, comfortable, and can be worn with blue jeans for events other than riding. They can be worn with either Western or English style of riding. For purchasing information, see the next question.

Q. Where can I purchase my own boots and riding helmet?
A. Whinnies and Knickers in Newburgh, NY is the barns tack shop of choice. They will be able to help with all of your riding needs. Call them today at 845-566-7800. Mention that you ride at Ivy Rock and receive a 10% discount. If you wish to order on-line you can visit places like Dover Saddlery, listed below, which offers Paddock Boots in Ladies sizes 5 1/2 - 11 and Children's sizes 10-13 & 1-5. Prices start at around $36.00 plus shipping. Riding helmets used at Ivy Rock Farm must be ASTM-SEI certified. Riding helmets come in a wide array of colors. Keep in mind that the lighter the color, the cooler the helmet will be in the summer! Schooling helmets come in extra small, small, medium and large. To ensure the proper fit, measure the rider's head at the widest part with a measuring tape. Do not give into the temptation to buy a helmet that the rider will "grow into", a proper fitting helmet is essential. Prices start at about $34.00 plus shipping. 
doversaddlery.com or 1-800-989-1500

 Q. Should I purchase gloves for my lessons?
A. While gloves are optional, we do recommend them. Gloves provide a better "grip" on the reins and help resist slipping while protecting the rider's hands. Riding gloves are tailored with specially designed fingers for flexibility and comfort. In cooler weather they provide additional warmth. Lined gloves are significantly warmer but much more expensive. Keep in mind it is impossible to personalize black gloves and remind your kids to keep track of them! Gloves start at about $15 and are available at any tack shop.

Q. What if I need to cancel my lesson?
A. Please provide a minimum of 24 hours notice should you need to cancel your lesson. If you know in advance that you will not be able to make your regularly scheduled lesson, please let us know so that we may give another student the opportunity to ride. If you do not show up and do not call, you will be charged for the lesson.
 
Q. What should I expect at my first lesson?
A.We ask that new students come a little early for their first lesson to sign a waiver. Your instructor will introduce to your horse and show you where all his/her tack and brushes are. The tackroom is organized in such a way that the student is able to navigate through and pick out their horses tack. We are focused on education here and all riders will learn how to lead, groom, and tack their horse. Proper horsemanship is extremely important to us and you will not only learn how to ride but also learn about horses in general, how they react, how to handle them on the ground and mounted, etc. There is so much to learn and we give our riders a well rounded education.
   
Q. Are all the horses safe?
A.The Ivy Rock lesson horses are extremely safe. We have 15-20 horses to meet the specific needs of different riders. Our horses are accomplished in the school, as well as, out on the trails and at shows. Whether you are a beginner, novice or advanced rider our horses can take you where you want to be.

Q. When will I be able to canter/lope on my horse?
A. Almost everyone wants to canter or lope their horse before they are truly ready. At Ivy Rock Farms, control of the horse is essential and a rider will not be allow to canter until they have satisfactorily demonstrated they can control the horse at a walk & trot. To ride at a canter, a rider must have developed sufficient leg strength for the task and must have adequate control of their body position at the walk and trot. To canter before these skills have been developed is unsafe and unkind to the horse. It is not our teaching style to push students into doing things that they are not ready for.