Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider looking to improve your skills or shooting for that major show, ECETC is the place to learn. You do not need to own a horse to take lessons with us. You will be matched up with one of ECETC's wonderful horses or ponies. Lessons are designed around your needs, knowledge, and goals for yourself.
How young or old? ECETC offers riding lessons to children ages 6 and over, teens and adults, beginners, intermediate and advanced riders for the Hunter, Jumper Dressage, Eventing disciplines. Lessons and schooling can be obtained on a regular or occasional basis.
What is taught?
Lessons can include a good basic foundation of knowledge about the horse, tacking up, health care, as well as riding instruction, polishing of skills and achieving the goal to go that next step!
Our instructional areas include an exterior riding ring, a dressage ring complete with mirrors and an attached indoor arena, so our lessons go on year-round despite the weather.
Riding lessons are also available to those who board or lease a horse at ECETC, as well as those who bring horses in just for lessons. Our students may also come back for practice sessions to practice what they learned between lessons.
Do I have to show?
ECETC students are not required to participate in shows, but many of them do and compete at local and other shows along the mid-Atlantic region. The ECETC students learn to do a lot of the ground work involved in showing, such as care, feeding, grooming and preparing their mount and themselves for shows. They participate and attend equestrian clinics and symposiums that may be held at ECETC. They continue to excel beyond the local shows and have competed in "A" shows in the mid-Atlantic region.
Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA)Equestrian competitions for middle and secondary school students across the country. The IEA is affiliated with the UESF, USHJA, and the IHSA. ECETC is proud have our students competing in Region 3 of the IEA's Zone 3. You do not need to own a horse to compete in the IEA. Click here for more information about the IEA or contact the ECETC head coach.
ECETC Instructors
They take pride in the training results of our students! ECETC instructors use positive techniques in all levels and areas of training. This is reflected in the standings of local shows such as the East Coast Horse Show Association, Virginia Beach Horse Show Association and the Virginia Horse Show Association.
If you are a first-time student, we would like for you to arrive about 15-20 minutes early to complete any required forms and meet the horse or pony you will be matched with if you do not already own or lease one.
Guided Rides
ECETC guided rides have become very popular! Please be sure to book your ride time in advance. This allows us to be sure we have plenty of available well-rested horses and/or ponies in addition to our wonderful guides, who work for tips.
Guided Ride FAQ:
Cancellations: If you find you are unable to keep your booked time, we request at 24-hour notice. This allows us to schedule other clients. Any client who does not honor this request, cancels in less than 24 hours or is a no-show will not be re-booked.
Refunds: There are no refunds for Guided Rides.
