Cedar Lodge Summer Riding
Program
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
It may not be all of them, but here are some of the many questions
that we are asked about are summer riding program. You may have more, and
that's okay! Just contact us, and we will do our best to help out. In fact,
you may then find your question on this list!
Q. Can I bring my own horse?
A. Sure, since Cedar Lodge Stables shares the same grounds with the
Camp, boarding is available during the summer. You can check out more on our camper boarding program, including prices, here.
All boarding horses have a separate turn out from the camp herd. If you
are interested in this option, call Chris Cochrane at (269) 674 8072.
To ride your horse at camp you must participate in the Cedar Lodge
lesson program. Campers that bring their own horse and use that horse
for their riding lessons, will not have to pay the Full Riding fee.
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Q. Can
I Ride Western?
A.
Though Cedar Lodge started out offering both English and Western
riding, we have decided that it is too difficult to do justice to both
seats. At this time, we only offer one seat while you are here at
Cedar Lodge and that is Hunt Seat English and jumping. If you normally
ride western and would like to try English, you will find us a great
place to take the plundge and if you would like to ride Western in your
practice rides in the afternoon, you are welcome to do so, as long as
you are willing on making the tack change if need be.
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Q. Do I have to Ride every Day?
A.
All riding is optional. You make this decision at breakfast each day.
You can sign up for a FREE RIDE or TRAIL RIDE when they are offered but
if you want to ride during optional riding periods you will need to
also ride in your scheduled lesson. It is a rule, however that if you
decide not to ride in your assigned riding class, that you tell your
instructor that you will not be there. This is only fair to your
instructors, classmates, and horse! It also guarantees that the Riding
staff will know how many horses that they have to offer for Free Ride
to others that do want to ride more.
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Q. Can I bring my own saddle?
A.
Some riders feel more comfortable in their own saddle. If you own your
own saddle you can certainly bring it to Camp. We can not however,
guarantee that you will be able to use your saddle on all your assigned
horses. Horses, like people, are all built differently and so are their
backs. Ill fitting saddles can make horse's backs very sore and horses
very crabby. We love our horses at Cedar Lodge, and want them to be as
comfortable as possible so that they can do their jobs as well as
possible. All of our horses are assigned their own saddles and these
saddles are picked to fit each particular horse's back as well as it
can. Your saddle may not fit your assigned horses back as well as his
own does. Your saddle will need to be checked by your instructor for
each different horse that you ride. It is a bit of a hassle, but if you
are determined, we will see what we can do.
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Q. Do the campers help muck
out the stables?
A. Of course. Mucking out stalls is part of total horse care. Each day
a group of campers is assigned to barn chores. Along with riding and barn
staff, this job is finished in a short time. A clean barn makes for happy
horses and happy staff.
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Q. Does Riding Cost Extra?
A.
There are two 45 minute riding sessions included in your basic camp
fee, which will automatically put you in the Basic Riding Program. This
is an "introduction to riding" segment for those campers who want to
ride just a little, or try out riding for the first time. The most
popular riding program at camp is called Full Riding Program, but there
are several other riding and vaulting program options for those who are
interested in getting as much riding time as possible while they are at
camp. For a full list of riding programs that we offer and their
prices, click here. Those that bring their own horses to Cedar Lodge will not have to pay the
Full Riding program fee. Their Camper Horse Board will cover their full
riding program as well.
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Q. I would like to learn
how to jump a horse ... is this possible?
A. PERHAPS. There are several things that you must be capable of doing
before you can jump a horse. You must be able to show that you have control
of your horse and that you are a safe rider. If this is your first riding
experience and you will be at Camp a week or two, the odds are against you
advancing that quickly. However, if you have already taken lessons and your
stay at Camp is longer, it is possible you will get to jump. It all depends
on your natural ability and determination.
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Q. What
is Show Team?
A. Campers who meet the criteria are welcome to join our Show Team.
Cedar Lodge is a year-round Hunter/Jumper Show Stable, and our show team is
gone just about every weekend from May until September. The shows we attend
are usually sponsored by the LMHJA or the LEHS, local show circuits that
have appropriate classes for many different riding show levels. For more on
our Show Team, visit our SHOW TEAM page, our CAMPER SHOWING page, and our
Cedar Lodge Stable PROGRAM page .
Campers interested in signing up for Show Team must be evaluated by the
Show Team Director, Chris Cochrane, before they are allowed to enter
the program. Evaluations can be held once the Camper arrives at Camp,
or can be made during the off-season with Chris. These special
evaluation rides are done by appointment for a fee of $30.00. Please
note that this program is a two week camp commitment, even if you are
only participating for one of those on Show Team.
Show Team is lots of extra work and expense. Campers on Show Team are assigned their own Show Team horse
for the week, receive additional lessons and spend extra time at the barn
learning new skills and improving established skills. Show entry fees,
stabling and hauling for the horse, and motel fees when necessary are not
included. Members of Show Team also require a full attire of show clothes.
Some campers sign up for only one week of Show Team, while others are on
the road every weekend. If you are interested in Show Team, you can find
out more by visiting our Show Team web page or e-mail us at cedarlodgestables@gmail.com with your address and we will be happy to send you the
same information by mail. If you have additional questions, you can call
our Show Team Director, Chris Cochrane at (269) 674-8072.
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Q. What do I wear to ride,
and do I have to wear a hard hat?
A. Long pants are required, either riding britches or jeans. Hard sole
shoes that tie or boots with a heel of no less than 1/2" that laces over
the ankle and does not have a waffle sole are safe for riding. Paddock
boots are the ideal shoe. Hard hats are used all all times when you are
riding and must have a harness that holds securely to your head. They must
be SEI/ASTM Approved. Approved hard hats can be leased from the camp for a
small fee.
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Q. When I'm not riding can
I help in the barn?
A. Absolutely! We like our riders to learn total horse care. Whenever
you are in the barn there is a barn supervisor with you to show you the
proper way to work with horses. You will learn to groom, saddle, braid,
feed, clean buckets and tack, and much more!
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Q. Where do
we ride?
A. CEDAR LODGE STABLES
has an extensive Riding and Training Facility. Beginners ride in the
60'x100' ring, intermediates ride in the 120'x180' ring, advanced
riders ride in one of two 150'x200'. Three of the outside rings are set
with jump courses and gymnastics for varying levels of riders. All
riders share the indoor arena on rainy days. There are miles of trails
for trail rides within the 150 acres of camp property and trail rides
are offered once a week. Advance riders are given the option of
training on Cedar Lodge's Outdoor Hunt Course when appropriate.
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Q. Who determines what
level I will ride in, and how do I advance?
A. When you first arrive at Camp you will receive a short riding test
and get a preliminary classification. If it turns out that you are a better
rider than it seemed at first, or if you are a quick learner, you will have
the the opportunity to move into a higher level. This can be done at any
time. All final decisions are up to the head riding instructor.
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Q. Will I ride the same
horse every day?
A. Not necessarily. There are good reasons for using different horses
at different times. A certain horse may be particularly good at helping you
work through a specific riding problem or advancing in a certain area. You
should be able to ride any horse in your skill level to be a truly good
rider. There will be opportunities to request a favorite horse for special
riding or during your lesson when appropriate.
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Q. I would like to ride in
a real horse show .. is this possible?
A.
Camp Horse Shows are scheduled on several free weekends during the
summer. They are very informal, not requiring any riding clothes other
than what our campers usually wear and are open to all levels in the
Full Riding Program. As these shows are scheduled around other programs
that Cedar Lodge attends, we can not declare dates much before the
beginning of the summer, but will post them on Cedar Lodge’s web site
as they become available. There is no extra fee for the Camp Horse Show
as long as the camper is already in the Full Riding program. For those
that qualify and want a more expanded challenge, Cedar Lodge has a show
team that shows through out the summer.
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Q. What is the Basic Riding
Program
A. Campers not enrolled in the Full Riding Program are offered Intro
to Riding classes as part of their basic camper fee. These classes are at
the beginner level and meant to introduce a rider to their first equestrian
experience. To find out more visit Basic Riding Program
information page.
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Q. What other Riding Programs are offered at camp?
A.
Campers that want a more intensive riding experience than what they can
receive from the Basic Riding program can sign up for several different
programs at Cedar Lodge. At this time, there are three different levels
of Riding programs: The Full Riding Program, Horse's R Us and Horse Lovers. For a page that explains all riding programs, fees and what they offer, click here.
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Q. I want to do horses all day long, but I'm not a high level. Is this possible? A.
YES! New in 2010, Cedar Lodge has answered the needs of their clientele
and implemented a new program. Offering all of the programs of our full
riding program, AND an additional riding lessons for each of the 5
program days of a week. Find out more about this exciting new Cedar
Lodge program at our Horses 'R Us information page.
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Q. I want to really focus on my horses and I'm a high level rider. What does Cedar Lodge have for me?A.
For the more advanced riders that want to do horses all day, all the
time, Cedar Lodge has a intense program offered during select
weeks of summer camp including: Assigning of your own horse (or maybe
two, dependent on level), 2 riding lessons a day, additional third ride
option, ground lessons and more! Find out more about Cedar Lodge's Horse Lovers program.
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Q. Can I get a chance to try vaulting while at Cedar Lodge?
A.
Vaulting is a great sport and Cedar Lodge has been offering classes for
beginners through advanced for over 20 years. Can you try it?
ABSOLUTELY! There are several options. Find out more on our Vaulting information page.
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Q. Wow, vaulting is fun! I would like to focus more on this area. Does Cedar Lodge have a program for me?A.Over
the last several years, Cedar Lodge's vaulting program has grown in
leaps and bounds. To answer the needs, Cedar Lodge has implemented a Vaulting Lover's Specialty Week and a Vaulters 'R Us program. Check them out if you want to focus on vaulting all day, all the time!
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