Horses were once considered man’s best friend, but after the invention of the dog, the horse was rebranded as man’s eccentric, oat-obsessed uncle. Take a journey with the kindest of kinsmen with today's Groupon: for $22, you get a half-hour guided horseback ride at East Coast Equestrian Training Center in Virginia Beach (a $50 value).
Equine educators at the East Coast Equestrian Training Center lead rookie-stirruped riders on leisurely strolls atop gentle, graceful mounts. The instructors of ECETC maintain a well-mannered stable of perpetually long-faced creatures and match riders to ridees according to age (2 or older), experience level, and singing ranges. Veteran saddle-sitters can pick up hints on more advanced techniques in show disciplines that include hunter, jumper, and dressage.
The expansive indoor and outdoor facilities boast a mirrored dressage ring for equine cat-walkers, a large exterior riding ring, and an indoor ring to evade inclement weather. Two Groupons can combined for a longer ride; inquire about having a Groupon-holding friend ride at the same time as you when setting up your appointment.
East Coast Equestrian Training Center
Aided by more than 40 years of competitive-riding and training experience, Sharon Golesh built East Coast Equestrian Training Center, a full-service training, boarding, and breeding facility. Hidden under an expansive, baby-blue roof are 54 stalls that stay packed all year long with equine boarders and in-house horses ready to run through guided rides and lessons. Students learn the equestrian arts within [facilities] (http://gr.pn/n2lU5n) that include an exterior riding ring and dressage ring complete with mirrors and a pack of paparazzi sheep hounds. East Coast Equestrian Training Center also oversees the birth of future first-place finishers through its extensive breeding operation, which includes a 2,200-square-foot boarders’ lounge and 19 pastures ready to set the scene for equine matchmaking.