Customer Reviews
What You'll Get
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 to West Equestrian Ranch for horseback-riding lessons. Choose between the following options:
- For $12, you get one group lesson (a $25 value).
- For $22, you get one private lesson (a $45 value).
A working camp, West Equestrian Ranch involves students in every detail of foundation riding and horse care to instill confidence and a respect for fundamental equestrian principles. Students train among a handful of comrades in an intimate group setting, or schedule a private lesson to ensure one-on-one attention with the ranch's supportive teachers. During each 60-minute lesson, riders become acquainted with their paddock pals on an intimate level with introductions to the importance of horse care and safety, from grooming and saddling to mucking and spelling-bee preparation. Sessions commence with 20 minutes of tacking instruction, as students learn the ins and outs of equipping steeds for riding with saddles and bridles. Certified instructors dedicate the remaining 40 minutes to training students in the disciplines of English, jumping, dressage, western, and trail, strengthening handling skills and balance essentials through a variety of activities and games such as tag.
The Fine Print
Promotional value expires Aug 8, 2011. Amount paid never expires. Limit 1 per person, may buy 2 additional as gifts. Limit 1 per visit. Valid only for option purchased. Reservation required. Must be 5 or older. Must sign waiver. Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.
About West Equestrian Ranch
At age 13, a few years after relocating to the United States from her native Australia, Cheryl West unearthed a passion for horseback riding. Since then, she has become accomplished in both the competitive and educational arenas, including snagging a master certification in equestrian instruction, operating a program for special-needs riders, and ghostwriting a memoir for Mister Ed. At West Equestrian Ranch, Cheryl and her team of seasoned instructors bestow their expertise upon pupils during clinics and group and private lessons. Both are anchored in the philosophy that building a sturdy seat lays the foundation for adept trotting—the lessons gravitate toward English, Western, jumping, dressage, or trail methods fold similar techniques into days of riding, games, and horse care.
Cheryl and her staff also serve the equine community, rescuing one or two horses each year, rebuilding their strength and confidence, and giving them spots on the ranch's competitive team. Meanwhile, they allow kids free rein of a playground and picnic tables, where the stables' gentlest steed whinnies happily as kids finger-paint him with rainbows or complex mathematical equations.