Riding Lessons

Winton Woods Riding Center's summer session of horseback riding lessons is a 12 week session that runs Tuesday, May 30 - Sunday, August 20 2023. This is a session for group lessons only.     

Register beginning Monday, May 8th 2023. 

[Note: Registration is only available ONLINE.] 

This is our introductory level of lessons. Students at this level may have enjoyed the occasional trail ride or had a few formal lesson experiences, and will be introduced to independent control at the walk and trot. Riders ages 7 and up are welcome!

This is our second level of lessons. Students at this level have been promoted from Entry, and are working on refining their independent control at the walk and trot.

This is our third level of lessons. Students at this level have been promoted from Novice-E, and are working on advanced walk/trot skills including group trot while posting, sitting, 2-point, & standing.

This is our fourth level of lessons. Students at this level have been promoted from Novice, and are working on advanced walk/trot skills including group trot with & trotting without stirrups on horses a bit more challenging than our beginners.

Beginning at this level, riders will be taught how to tack their own horses, allowing them to ride either English OR Western style in any of the available time slots! (This will require students to arrive early for their lessons, after the first week).

This is our fifth level of lessons. Students at this level have been promoted from Advanced Novice, and are working on a weekly review of advanced walk/trot skills (including posting, sitting, 2-point, standing & no-stirrups trot work) and an introduction to cantering with balance and control.

This is our sixth and final level of beginner riding classes. Students at this level have been promoted from Intro to Canter, and are working on weekly review of advanced walk/trot skills (including posting, sitting, 2-point, standing & no-stirrups trot work) and developing exceptional control and balance at canter on a variety of horses.

After this level students are encouraged to choose their future discipline: Jumping, Contesting, Dressage or Patterns.

This class is for riders interested in practicing introductory to training-level Dressage positions and movements. Students at this level have been promoted from the Intermediate level.

Contesting classes are available for Intermediate and above Western style students who are interested in learning the speed events of Barrel Racing, Pole Bending and Flags Race. Strong emphasis is placed on balanced position and excellent control at walk, trot and canter. Contesting students are encouraged to show in our Schooling Shows on their lesson horses!

Ground Poles is a class for riders interested in pursuing hunt seat equitation as their chosen discipline. Students at this level have been riding in Intermediate for at least two sessions.

Crossrails is a jump class for riders pursuing hunt seat equitation as their chosen discipline. They must have exceptional walk, trot, canter skills with and without stirrups. They also are capable of riding a great variety of horses. Students at this level have been promoted from Ground Poles.

Upper–level jump classes are intended for riders pursuing equitation over fences as their chosen discipline. They must have exceptional walk, trot, canter skills with and without stirrups on the flat and over fences. They also are capable of riding a great variety of horses over canter courses. Novice Jump students have been promoted from Crossrails and Intermediate Jump students have been promoted from Novice Jump. Advanced Jump students have been promoted from Intermediate Jump.

Advanced Jump Saturday at 10:15 a.m.

Intermediate Jump Saturday at 2:15 p.m.

Novice Jump Sunday at 2:15 p.m.

By Invite Only.*

IEA Team lessons are for upper level riders who are pursuing hunt seat equitation competition. The Interscholastic Equestrian Association program allows middle school and high school aged students the opportunity to train and compete in the same style as IHSA (Collegiate) equitation riders. This is a fantastic program that promotes excellent riding and sportsmanship in a supportive, team environment.

For more information on the WWRC's IEA program, or IEA in general contact our office at wwrc@greatparks.org

IEA Beginner Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.
IEA Jump Wednesday at 6:15 p.m.
IEA Jump Thursday at 6:15 p.m.
IEA JUMP Team Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
IEA Dressage Team Saturday at 11:30 a.m.