Programs

If you have any questions about any of our programs, please contact our Directors at the addresses listed under the Contact Us page.

LESSONS

All members are eligible to participate in our lesson program, regardless of prior experience. Lower-level lessons are taught by interns while upper-level lessons are taught by professional instructors. We offer semi-private (45 min), and group (60 min) lessons at all levels. 

Our lessons are broken up into the following levels:

Lower-Level

• E - beginner; no prior riding experience.

• D - advanced beginner.

• C - intermediate.

Upper-Level

• B - advanced intermediate.

• A - advanced.

We teach basic English equitation across all levels that will prepare our students to walk, trot, canter, and jump up to 2'6" comfortably and confidently.

In order to be eligible to participate in this program, members must first complete the appropriate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP and be a Draft member, which will be determined during Evaluations at the start of the semester. Evaluations help us place members in an appropriate lesson level according to their level of riding and experience. 

HERD HEALTH

MEC shares responsibility for the health and well-being of the horses with the ANSC Department through the daily chore system. Members of the club interested in volunteering their time will be assigned either a morning or afternoon shift based on their availability. Morning shifts are from 7-9 am and afternoon shifts are from 5-6 pm. These volunteers will learn proper horse health care, how to check reference values such as temperature and respiration, how to identify diseases and lameness, and basic wound care and nutrition. All members planning to interact in any way with the horses must complete the appropriate SOP and be at least a Horse member of the club.

SHOWS

While MEC does not host formal competitive shows, it does put on an informal show once per semester that is open to the public to watch and open to all members currently in lessons to participate. The fall show happens during the Fall Fun Festival and the spring show happens during Maryland Day. For each show, the Executive Board puts together competitive riding classes for each riding level to demonstrate their skills against their fellow club members. A series of more casual and "fun" classes are also developed for those interested in attempting different minigames on horseback. These shows also exhibit several public activities for spectators to participate in if interested.

CLINIC AND SOCIAL EVENTS

MEC also offers a variety of club outings, social events, clinics, and activities throughout the semester. Past events have included western trail rides, Medieval Times, the Renaissance Festival, saddle-fitting clinic, dressage clinic, Markoff's Haunted Forest, the Washington International Horse Show, the UMD Homecoming Parade, and many others. We offer new activities each semester with favorite events happening each year!