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Children's Summer Horsemanship Clinics

Dartmouth Riding Center will offer a series of horsemanship clinics to residents of the Upper Valley. Clinics will be offered in weekly sessions for children throughout the summer.

To register for a summer clinic please complete the release form and registration then mail to:

Sally Batton
P.O. Box 351
Etna, NH 03750

All clinics have stable management lectures daily with the emphasis on safety and correct technique. The lectures vary with each session according to level, with the younger child and beginners learning the basics of grooming, the grooming tools, parts of the horse, parts of the tack, tack cleaning and tacking up. The more advanced students will have more practical experience with bandaging, braiding, trimming, as well as grooming and tack cleaning.

Young Child Clinic

Children from age 6 and up are started on the lunge line to learn the correct position and balance at the walk and trot. Our goal is to introduce children to riding so they can ride safely and feel comfortable working with horses. Enrollment is 6 children per session. Young Child Beginner is for those who have little or no riding experience, Young Child Novice is for the 6-9 year olds who know posting trot and are ready to canter.

Beginner Clinic

The Beginning Clinic is for the rider who has completed the Young Child clinic or has little or no prior riding experience. Students are taught the correct basics of riding at the walk and trot. Six riders/session.

Novice Clinic

The Novice clinic is for the rider who is capable of riding on their own in a group at the walk, posting trot and has started at the canter. Students' positions are refined and trotting poles are introduced. Six riders/session.

Jumper Clinic

The Jumper Clinic is for the rider who is capable of riding on their own in a group at the walk, posting trot and canter and have started jumping in class. Students will be introduced to the correct position over fences and will learn how to ride a course. 6 riders/session

Introduction to Horse Showing

This week will introduce children to all the different types of shows offered at Dartmouth Riding Center, including dressage, jumpers, polocrosse and hunter pace. Also covered will be grooming for shows, show attire, trailering, braiding, etc.

Daily Schedule

  • 9:00: Arrive, lecture, groom, tack up
  • 10:00: Ride
  • 11:00: Cool out, clean tack
  • 11:15: Snack, games
  • 12:00: Depart

Please specify on the registration form the weeks of the summer you are free (June 27-Aug 19); we will form the clinics around your schedule!

Cost of each session is $375.

No dogs permitted on Dartmouth Riding Center property.