Poplar Ridge riding lessons to begin soon 0
Usually the facility is open for lessons in April, but due to the influx of snow it likely won?t be open until the middle of May, owner Sam Reid said.
The riding academy offers both English and Western style lessons and two instructors teach enthusiasts basic horsemanship skills, such as proper grooming and handling procedures.
Students can also learn basic jumping and barrel racing techniques, for example.
For 12 years lessons have been available at the Reid farm located just outside of Whitecourt.
Reid said learning to ride and work with the animals can provide a great opportunity for children and youth to gain self-confidence and learn responsibility.
"It?s very good, therapeutic exercise for the body, but for the mind too," she explained.
"We see a difference in the kids that come here. There?s a lot of hands-on here. The kids do mostly everything themselves. They lift the horse?s feet and they clean them. It might take them 20 minutes longer than what it should, but they?re doing it themselves."
Along with teaching riding lessons during the evening, the academy also hosts renowned summer camps that have attracted children from across Canada and the world.
The summer camps are held each week in July and August with a new camp beginning every Monday and ending on Friday.
About 100 children attend the camps every summer, where they learn horsemanship skills, as well as enjoy picnics by the McLeod River and play horse games.
The campers also put on a mini horse show at the end of the week for their parents.
Along with riding lessons and summer camps, the academy will be offering donkey cart rides this year as a new feature, which can be great for younger children.
Reid said she doesn?t recommend children under six years of age take horse riding lessons, because they?re usually not ready.
"That would be like sending a two-year-old to Kindergarten," she explained.
For more information about riding lessons or the summer camp program, contact the Poplar Ridge Riding Academy at (780) 778-6392