Tuition

Email (amfequitation@gmail.com) or call (563-334-0191)‪ to schedule an evaluation lesson!

We are SO excited to help you on your riding & driving journey!

What type of riding do we do?

While most of our intermediate riders go on to specialize into Olympic (aka "English") disciplines (mostly Eventing), we do not make a distinction between "English" or "Western" riding in our program: we focus on solid basics on and off the horse (balance, independent seat, horse care, stable management). These skills are the same regardless of whether your ultimate goal is to chase cows or jump around a 5*. Once you have learned the basics, you can specialize into a specific discipline and transitioning from one type of saddle to another is straightforward.

Introduction to our program

New riders/drivers have two options:

Sign up for a beginner session (8 to 10 lessons depending on age) - see details below.
If you have significant prior riding/driving experience, you may sign up for an evaluation (private) lesson ($35) before joining a regularly scheduled G2+ group or private lesson (subscription-based).
Note: Returning students of more than 90-day break shall undergo an official evaluation prior to resuming group lessons (regardless of prior level).

📌 Important Note on Rider Weight Considerations

We understand that discussing weight can be a sensitive topic. However, it’s essential for us, as riders, to consider the weight our horses can safely carry, including the tack and equipment alongside the rider’s weight. Generally, a horse can carry between 10% and 20% of its body weight, especially when the rider is balanced and experienced.

It’s important to note that beginner and/or unfit riders often have less balance than more experienced ones. An unbalanced load can be challenging for a horse, potentially leading to strain and issues such as lameness, as the horse may have to adjust its movement to compensate.

To ensure the well-being of our school horses, we limit beginner riders to a weight of 170 lbs. For intermediate riders (G5+), youth or adults may exceed this limit for flat lessons only (based on a riding assessment).

Additionally, there is no weight limit for beginner driving students. Thank you for your understanding and commitment to the health of our horses!

Beginner Packages

Leadline packages (ages 4-7)

In our leadline class, our youngest students will learn the very basics of grooming and riding. This is an interactive class that involves the parent or guardian learning basic grooming and horse leading skills as well. Parents/guardians should be prepared to lead their child around on a pony for about 15-25 minutes during the riding portion of the lesson.

Learning how to safely interact with horses and ponies
Becoming confident and comfortable around horses and ponies
Learning how to brush and groom
Building strength and balance in the saddle in a seated and two-point position at a walk

8 small group lessons - $185/package. Our next session will start the first week of March 2025.

Note: 3 yo students may occasionally be permitted to join this group if they are mature enough for the 45 minute-lessons. Younger riders are welcome to join us for 30-minute private lessons, space permitting.

Silver Galop / G1 (Youth)

Our G1 course covers the very basics of riding and is designed for students ages 7-17 with little prior horse experience. The skills at this level include:

Review of introductory horsemanship skills (grooming, leading, tying, saddling, interpreting horse body language, etc.)
Safely mounting/dismounting
Leading on the ground
Developing strength and balance in the saddle
Developing independent aids at a walk
Steering at a walk
Walk-to-trot and trot-to-walk transitions
Two-point at a walk and trot
Posting at the trot

How quickly will a student be able to learn these skills?

It depends. A motivated student with good body awareness and an attention to detail may be able to acquire all these skills within 2 sessions (8 to 10 weeks each). The average beginner may take a bit longer. Very young or timid riders might need a year or more before they can confidently demonstrate the requirements. It takes the time it takes! :)

Note: Our next youth beginner session (10 weeks) will start on the 1st week of September 2025 - $225

G1-Riding (Adults)

Ages 18+

Are you a parent of an AMF Equitation student who wants in on the fun? An adult who has always wanted to try riding horses but never had the time until now? Sign up for our Beginner Adult class!

Each class in our 8- or 10-week course is 85 minutes long, consisting of a 45-minute riding lesson and 40 minutes of horsemanship, where students students will learn how to safely halter, lead, groom, saddle, clean tack, and more.

Adult Classes Weight Limit: 175 lbs.

The riding skills that are addressed at this level include:

Safely mounting/dismounting
Correct position/posture
How to walk, trot and halt independently
Strength and balance at the walk and trot (2-point and posting)
Steering at the walk and the trot

Returning to Riding

For adults with previous experience

This class is geared toward adults who fit one or more description below:

Adults who rode significantly when they were younger and are looking to get back into riding after some time off,
G1 Adult class I graduates.

Adult Classes Weight Limit: 175 lbs.

The skills worked on during Returning to Riding classes (60 min.) depend largely on the goals and skill level of the group. If you are new to the AMF Equitation program, please schedule an assessment to determine which Returning to Riding class is the best fit.

Note: Next Returning to Riding session (8 weeks) TBA- $240

G1-Driving (Y)

Our G1 course covers the very basics of driving and is designed for students ages 10-17 with little-to-no horse experience - or who are new to driving. The skills at this level include:

Introductory horsemanship skills (grooming, leading, tying, harnessing, interpreting horse body language, etc.)
Developing strength and balance for a good driving posture
How to walk, and halt
Steering at a walk
Trotting on a straight line

Driving is great fun for everyone (we've noticed that young male students especially seem to enjoy the challenge of maneuvering the horse and carriage through a variety of different obstacles!)

But carriage driving is a particularly good choice for students who may not want to or are unable to ride (gravitational insecurities, inability to sit astride a horse, etc). The security of the seat in the carriage allows for equestrian skills to be developed.

Note: Our next beginner session; TBA

G1-Driving (A)

Ages 18+

Are you a parent of an AMF Equitation student who wants in on the fun? An adult who has always wanted to be involved horses but don't want to or are unable to ride? Carriage driving is a wonderful and different opportunity to create a working relationship with a horse/pony!

Each Beginner Adult Driving class in our 8- or 10-week course is 85 minutes long, consisting of a 45-minute driving lesson and 40 minutes of horsemanship, where students students will learn how to safely halter, lead, groom, harness, and more.

There are no weight/size restrictions for driving classes.

The riding skills that are addressed at this level include:

Safely harnessing and putting to
Correct position/posture
How to walk, trot and halt
Steering at the walk and the trot

Our next adult beginner session (8 weeks), TBA- $240

Continuing Students

Small group "Shetland" lessons (ages 7-10) - Riding

Small group lessons (60 minutes) are designed for riders who have completed the Silver Galop level and are already able to ride without a lead line, demonstrating basic balanced position (seating and 2-point) at the halt and walk, and control at the walk and trot.

Max height: 5'2

$65/month: access to 4 mounted lessons/month (riding in one of our regularly scheduled Shetland group lessons) and regular unmounted mini-clinics.
$10/lesson: lesson pony fee*

* Students may bring their own mount to lessons provided that they have completed their G4 rating (or equivalence) and show proof of their mount's vaccination.

Small group subscriptions (ages 10+) - Riding

Small group lessons (60 minutes) are designed for riders who have completed the Silver Galop or G1 levels and are already able to ride without a lead line, demonstrating basic balanced position (seating and jumping) at the halt and walk, and control at the walk and trot.

Check here for our current group lesson schedule.

$50/month: access to 2 mounted lessons/month (riding in one of our regularly scheduled group lessons) and regular unmounted mini-clinics. Recurring lessons are booked in fixed weekly time slots on the same day and time each week reserved for you.
$100/month: access to 4 mounted lessons/month (riding in one of our regularly scheduled group lessons) and regular unmounted mini-clinics.
$200/month: access to 8 mounted lessons/month (riding in one of our regularly scheduled group lessons) and regular unmounted mini-clinics.
$10/lesson: lesson horse fee*:

i.e. You sign up for 4 mounted lessons/month and need to use one of our horses/ponies: $100 + ($10x4) = $140/month

* Note: Because we believe novice riders/drivers are not ready for horse ownership (unless coming from an experienced equestrian family), AMF Equitation does not teach riders/drivers with their personal horse/pony unless they have completed their G4 rating. Riders at or above the G4 level are welcome to trailer in - provided they can show proof of vaccination for their equine.

Small group subscriptions (ages 10+) - Driving

Small group (2 to 3 drivers) lessons (60 minutes) are designed for beginner/novice drivers.

$50/month: access to 2 driving lessons/month (driving in one of our regularly scheduled group lessons) and regular unmounted mini-clinics. Recurring lessons are booked in fixed weekly time slots on the same day and time each week reserved for you.
$100/month: access to 4 driving lessons/month (driving in one of our regularly scheduled group lessons) and regular unmounted mini-clinics.
$200/month: access to 8 driving lessons/month (riding in one of our regularly scheduled group lessons) and regular unmounted mini-clinics.
$10/lesson: lesson horse fee:

i.e. You sign up for 4 driving lessons/month and need to use one of our horses/ponies: $100 + ($10x4) = $140/month

Private lessons

30 minutes - actual riding time if able & pre-approved to tack up on one's own or including grooming/tacking up/untacking if still working towards more independent horsemanship.

We currently do not have any spots for private lessons - please contact AM to be put on the waitlist.

- - $50: 30-minute private lesson (must be scheduled on weekdays and reserved for the students at the G4+ level).

College Students

Leasing

We have limited availability for leasing specific ponies/horses (reserved to riders who have completed their Galop 4+) . Please contact AM for availability of a suitable horse.

Leasing includes regular scheduled lessons & supervised rides (no independent riding).

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