Lessons in English Equitation
for children and adults

Private Lessons Recommended for all beginners and regularly for riders eager to improve their riding with a goal of horse ownership, participating in Pony Club or competitions.

Group Lessons Great for students of similar ability levels, as well as friends and families who want to ride together.

We offer both half-hour private and one-hour group lessons for $55/lesson. We schedule pre-paid lessons in seven ($315) and eight week ($360) sessions at a discounted price of $45/lesson. See our Details page for registration information.

New students are assessed in private lessons before they can be placed in a group, if a group is desired. Until a new session starts, new riders can ride during individual open times, which are listed on the lesson availability board in the office, at $55/lesson.

Activities: At various times of the year, we offer camps, dismounted educational days, and horse shows. All three are great days of fun, education, and prizes.

Horses: We currently have nine school horses, of various sizes and abilities, to accommodate multiple levels of riders. Our horses also help students to stay challenged and to prepare for a horse of their own.

Riding Attire: Helmets are required at Highland Riding School and HRS provides helmets of all sizes at the stable for students' use. For safety, We require all our students to ride in a true low heeled riding boot or shoe. For comfort, we recommend that our students ride in a pair of well fitted breeches. Breeches or tight fitting leggings or pants are recommended, as loose fitted jeans, sweats or other pants can cause knee rubs.We recommend that our students, especially our younger riders, wear riding gloves. See our list of local and online retailers of equestrian attire and don't hesitate to ask your HRS instructor for advice when selecting riding attire.

First Lessons at Highland Riding School: At Highland Riding School, students are required to tack and untack their horses. Instructors and working students will assist newcomers to learn HRS rules and safety procedures for grooming and tacking. A portion of instruction time in the first few lessons is spent teaching horsemanship. We recommend that additional time outside of class is spent reading books on horsemanship and grooming, some of which are available for loan from the HRS office.

Moving Up
Once a student learns how to canter, he or she can try to earn a certificate of membership in Highland Riding School's Canter Club. This is an important step toward moving up to our sister program at Highland Training Program.

Highland Training Stable, Sarah Vernlund's training program established in 1987 at Denville-Kanani Farms is our sister barn, located 10 minutes from HRS. This facility houses privately owned horses that are periodically available for sponsor.

When you are ready to move up, Highland Riding School Instructors and Highland Training staff will assist you to find an appropriate sponsor horse or a horse of your own. Then you can participate in Pony Club and prepare for dressage or eventing competitions with Highland Training Stable. Ali Kermeen, one of our instructors, works at both barns to help ensure a smooth transition.