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Did You Know...
You can Register Online for Riding School?


Jump to Registration : : Schedule & Rates : : Riding School Horses : : What to Wear

About the Palladia Farm Riding School
The Palladia Farm Riding School allows both children and adults to begin or expand their knowledge of all things equine. The Riding School takes a wholistic approach to riding, covering all aspects of horse care and horsemanship, as well as the actual riding skills attained from time spent in the saddle. The group dynamic of our Riding School adds an enjoyable social component, allowing students to develop friendships with other horse lovers while they learn about the animals.

As with many other sports, you register for one "session" of Riding School at a time. Each session lasts several different weeks, ranging from 5 weeks in summer to 15 in the fall. The class that you sign up for will meet every week at a certain day and time. For example, we currently offer a beginner class on Saturdays from 10am-noon and an adult-only class that meets on Sundays from 1-3pm. If you miss a week, you can do a private make-up lesson during the week. Riding School Sessions are loosely divided by age and ability, with a wide range of riders that haved included four year-old beginners, sixty year-old adults, and everything in between. There is a place for everyone in our Riding School.

Students learn to groom and tack their horses, how to use different grooming tools, and how to assure that their horses are in good health. They learn how to evaluate proper fit of the saddle and bridle, as well as how to adjust the tack when necessary. Other topics include equine history and evolution, basic first aid, how to wrap a horse's legs, how to pull a mane, how to use the clippers, how to give a horse a bath, and identifying the numerous breeds and colors of horses.

Riding School students then ride their horses together as a group for 45 minutes to an hour. The group dynamic allows for plenty of social interaction, where friendships and mentorships develop among students. Students receive quality instruction while riding, covering warm-up exercises, stretching, bending, basic dressage patterns and instruction in beginning jumping.

If you have looked at other riding schools, you are undoubtedly wondering why ours is so different. Here are some of our thoughts about riding schools and why our program is unique. If you appreciate our approach but are unable to participate in one of our Riding School classes because of logistical constraints, please contact Margaret at (773) 220-2193 or margaret@palladiafarm.com and we can work something out.


Palladia Farm Riding School Schedule
Riding School Crash Course— 5 Weeks
April 30 - May 29, 2011
$200

Classes are offered:
Beginner Session 1:
    Saturdays, 9:00am-11:00am FULL

Beginner Session 2:
    Saturdays, 11:00am-1:00pm FULL

Intermediate Riding School:
    Saturdays, 1pm-3pm FULL

Beginner Session 3:
    Sundays, 12:30pm-2:30pm CANCELLED

Adult Ride:
    Sundays, 3pm-5pm Spaces available!

June Summer Session — 4 Weeks
June 4 - June 26, 2011
$200

Classes are offered:
Beginner Session 1:
    Saturdays, 9:00am-11:00am

Beginner Session 2:
    Saturdays, 11:00am-1:00pm

Intermediate Session 2:
    Saturdays, 1pm-3pm

Intermediate Session 1:
    Sundays, 1:00pm-3:00pm

July Summer Session — 4 Weeks
July 2 - July 24, 2011
$200

Classes are offered:
Beginner Session 1:
    Saturdays, 9:00am-11:00am

Beginner Session 2:
    Saturdays, 11:00am-1:00pm

Intermediate Session 2:
    Saturdays, 1pm-3pm

Intermediate Session 1:
    Sundays, 1:00pm-3:00pm

August Summer Session — 4 Weeks
July 30 - August 21, 2011
$200

Classes are offered:
Beginner Session 1:
    Saturdays, 9:00am-11:00am

Beginner Session 2:
    Saturdays, 11:00am-1:00pm

Intermediate Session 2:
    Saturdays, 1pm-3pm

Intermediate Session 1:
    Sundays, 1:00pm-3:00pm



Our Riding School Horses

Our riding school horses are the best in the business. They are sound, fit, and athletic. Each is capable of competing--and winning--at A-rated shows in the midwest. They are also safe and quiet enough to teach a beginner rider's first lesson. Click on a horse's name or photo for more information about each one.


Gato

2002 Black Hanoverian Gelding
Photo Coming Soon
Lucy

1992 Bay QH Mare

Nick

1990 Bay TB Gelding

Philip

1997 Black Dutch WB Gelding

Skippy

2002 Liver Ch Welsh Gelding

Our riding school horses are available for lease to participants in our riding school. If you wish to become more involved with horseback riding, including more advanced jumping and showing, leasing one of our school horses could be a useful alternative for clients who are not ready to buy a horse. Please talk to Margaret for more information about leasing, buying, or showing.


What to Wear to Riding Lessons
  • Long Pants. Either heavy jeans or special riding pants called "breeches" or "jodhpurs." Thin or baggy pants quickly bunch up between your leg and the saddle, creating painful rubs. Special riding pants are designed to avoid this discomfort. Many riders prefer the added protection and grip provided by wearing chaps or half-chaps over their breeches or jodhpurs.
  • You can find jodhpurs at Dover Saddlery ($40) and many other stores, as well as locally at Ann Hubbard's Tack Shop, phone: (847) 234-7080, located on Route 43 between 176 and 137 in Lake Bluff.
  • A shoe with a low, square heel. Paddock boots, designed especially for equine activities, provide the best protection for the feet as well as the most comfort while riding. They can be obtained relatively inexpensively from many online stores. You can find paddock boots at Dover Saddlery ($45), or paddock boots at Ann Hubbard's Tack Shop.
  • A properly fitting, ASTM/SEI approved riding helmet. Your safety is our number one priority. The better a helmet fits, the more protection you have in the event of a fall from the horse. As ASTM/SEI approved helmets can now be purchased for as little as $40, they are readily available to all riders. You can find ASTM/SEI approved helmets at Dover Saddlery and other venues online, at Ann Hubbard's Tack Shop.


    How do I sign up?
    To sign up for the Palladia Farm Riding School, you need to complete and return to us:
    1. Registration Form. You can now Register Online for Riding School!
    2. Palladia Farm Liability Waiver. Download and print, or bring with you the first day of the session. Per our insurance company, no one will be allowed to participate in any riding school activities on or off the horse without a liability waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. Deposits will not be returned if you cannot participate because you did not return a Liability Waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.
    3. Payment. Full payment is due two weeks before the start of each session. Please bring or mail a check for $450/$500 per session. I'm sorry, but at this time we do not accept credit cards. Please note your slot will not be held in our Riding School program until your payment has been received. Payment will only be refunded if we are able to fill your slot with another student.

    Register Now Online
    Download Liability Waiver


    Our Mailing Address:
    Palladia Farm, Inc.
    c/o Margaret Clayton
    1040 Victoria St.
    Antioch, IL 60002

    Please note this is NOT the address of the farm!

    Questions? Just call and ask. (773) 220-2193 (Margaret's Cell)
    Or email info@palladiafarm.com


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     Victoria and Cabela, 2008 Staying warm at a winter show Skippy's first horse show Alexandra and Paige Doug and Cabela @ Ledges, 2009 Elsa and Herc, 2006 Owen and Lainey show in the green ponies at Ledges, 2007  
     

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