UConn's Summer Horseback Riding Lessons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the
difference between Western and Hunt Seat?
- What type of clothing and shoes should I wear?
- Are Hunt Seat and English the same style of riding?
- What is the age requirement to ride in UConn's summer riding
program ? Do you make exceptions?
- If I rode last season in UConn's summer riding program, how do I
determine which level to register for?
- What is taught in the beginner class? Will we get to ride?
- What do the following terms mean?
- Does UConn provide helmets and saddles? Can we bring our own?
- Can two riders sign up for the same time and split the lesson?
- Are classes canceled due to poor weather and how do we find out
about cancellations?
- Do riders receive a refund if they miss a class due to illness
or a schedule conflict? Can they make up the lesson missed?
- Do riders have to sign up for a 3-week session or can they just
attend a few lessons in a session and just pay for only those classes
attended?
- If the lessons are only one hour, how much of that hour will
riders actually ride?
- Where is the UConn Horsebarn Hill Arena?
- Are the lessons considered private? Or are they semi- private?
- How can I get on the mailing list for the next year?
- Can a rider register in all 4 3-week sessions throughout the
summer?
- Can a rider use the same horse throughout each 3-week session?
1. What is the difference between Western and Hunt Seat?
Most simply, the
difference is in the saddle. Western uses a saddle with a horn - the purpose of
which is for a cowboy to tie a rope to when roping. Both styles of riding focus
on the form and balance of the rider on the horse. Hunt Seat, the riders
eventually learn how to jump fences.
[Return to Questions]
2.
What type of clothing and shoes should I wear?
Comfortable
clothing should be worn. Riders should wear long pants, shorts should not be
worn. Boots with a 1” heel and ankle support or riding boots should be
worn - sneakers are not allowed.
[Return to Questions]
3.
Are Hunt Seat and English the same style of riding?
Yes, both terms
refer to the same style of the riding.
[Return to Questions]
4.
What is the age requirement to ride in UConn's summer riding program ? Do you
make exceptions?
The minimum age
is 11. If riders younger than 11 have had past experience an exception may be
made only by the instructor. Riders need to be mature and tall enough to tack
horses and fit on the saddle and into stirrups. Any exceptions need to be
approved by the instructor before the first lesson. Contact Elizabeth
Rademacher (instructor) at (860) 486-3377 for further information.
5.
If I rode last season in UConn's summer riding program, how do I determine
which level to register for?
If you have been
riding regularly since last summer there is a good chance you would be
comfortable signing up for the same level as last year or the next level up.
If you haven't
ridden since last summer, it would be wise to repeat the last level you rode in
last summer and to start-up lessons slowly. Use the first three week session as
a refresher course.
[Return to Questions]
6.
What is taught in the beginner class? Will we get to ride?
Beginner riders
in their very first lesson will learn to tack up; learn how to work around a
horse and learn how to clean the horse. After the completion of three weeks of
beginner lessons, riders will know how to walk, trot, and canter, depending on
the number of lessons and individual development.
[Return to Questions]
7.
What do the following terms mean?
Lope: A long,
easy swinging stride. It's an easy canter.
Leads: Term used
to indicate the horse's leading leg in canter i.e. "right lead
canter" or "left lead canter".
Diagonals: The
horse's legs move in pairs at the trot. The left diagonal is when the left
foreleg and right hind leg move, the right diagonal is when the right foreleg
and the left hind leg move.
Canter: A smooth
easy pace like a moderate gallop. Three beated gait of the horse in which one
hind leg strides first (the leading leg), followed by the opposite diagonal
pair and finally the opposite foreleg. Called the lope in Western Riding.
Trot: A horses
gait in which the legs are lifted alternating diagonal pairs. A one – two
rhythm.
[Return to Questions]
8.
Does UConn provide helmets and saddles? Can we bring our own?
Yes, we provide
helmets and the tack necessary to ride, but it is recommended you bring your own helmet.
[Return to Questions]
9.
Can two riders sign up for the same time and split the lesson?
No, the same rider
is to show each week for their own time slot.
[Return to Questions]
10.
Are classes canceled due to poor weather and how do we find out about
cancellations?
Classes are not
canceled due to poor weather because UConn can hold lessons in the indoor
Horsebarn Hill Arena, but if in doubt call (860) 486-3377 for information.
[Return to Questions]
11.
Do riders receive a refund if they miss a class due to illness or a schedule
conflict? Can they make up the lesson missed?
No refund is
given to riders who miss a lesson, but there may be opportunities available
when a rider could make up a lesson in their current three-week session. The
riding instructor would make this decision.
[Return to Questions]
12.
Do riders have to sign up for a 3-week session or can they just attend a few
lessons in a session and just pay for only those classes attended.
Riders need to
sign up for a full 3-week session at a time and pay for the entire session in
advance. A deposit is needed in advance to reserve a space and payment of the
remaining balance is made at the first lesson. We do not offer a "pay as
you go" plan.
[Return to Questions]
13.
If the lessons are only one hour, how much of that hour will riders actually
ride?
Actual riding in
each lesson will be 45 to 50 minutes.
[Return to Questions]
14.
Where is the UConn Horsebarn Hill Arena?
The Arena is
located on
[Return to Questions]
15.
Are the lessons considered private? Or are they semi- private?
They are group
lessons, in which there will be 6-8 riders in each lesson.
[Return to Questions]
16.
How can I get on the mailing list for the next year?
Email your name,
mailing address, and email address to Kathy.Noyes@uconn.edu
to be placed on next year's mailing list.
[Return to Questions]
17.
Can a rider register in all 4 3-week sessions throughout the summer?
Yes, the riding
lessons are structured so that a new rider can sign up as a beginner in the 1st
3-week session and if the rider feels comfortable after 3 weeks they can
continue on and register for the Advance Beginner Level. Note, if you are
determined to ride in more than 1 3-week session you should register for each
session in advance. We require a deposit of $75.00 to reserve a slot in each session. Deposits will not be
refunded upon cancellation. Lessons fill up quickly.
[Return to Questions]
18.
Can a rider use the same horse throughout each 3-week session?
No, unfortunately
we cannot guarantee that you will be able to ride the same horse throughout
your session.
[Return to Questions]
Back UConn Summer Horseback Riding
Homepage