Orange County Riding Academy, Orange

At Orange County Riding Academy, equestrian experts and the un-horsed alike can build skills with the help of the experienced staff and gentle school horses. Novices—including everyone from children as young as six to adults who have never ridden—start with lessons to establish a solid base of balance, control, and confidence. From there, folk graduate to group lessons, trail riding, or introductory barrel racing classes where they can further polish skills. When not in the saddle, students also learn ground training, which extends from leading and tying the horses to clipping their manes.