Learning to ride a horse, like learning to swim, is one of those lifetime skills many children and adults have yet to master. According to experts at Goodenough Farms Horse Spa, safety around horses, like safety around water, is an important skill to have. It’s also a great way to enjoy the outdoors in Southern California and the beauty of the Ventura County countryside.
“It’s not fun getting kicked by a horse or coming off on a trail ride. We hear a lot of stories of families on vacation, the kids want to ride a horse and somebody gets injured.
We provide a basic introduction to horses to improve the chances you or your loved ones will have a safe and enjoyable ride,” said Jeff Peters, a well-known horse trainer and resident trainer at Goodenough Farms Horse Spa. Mr. Peters is well-known throughout California for training riders in the Olympic sport of Three Day Eventing, including dressage, show jumping and cross country riding of horses over logs, ditches, ponds and other natural obstacles.
The free, Intro to Horses sessions will be held from 10 AM to 12 noon on Saturday, May 10,
May 17 and May 31. Class size will be limited to the first 16 children and adults reserving for each session, and all participants must be in moderate to good physical health and sign a release form. Long pants and boots covering the ankle with a small heal are recommended, such as cowboy, riding or hiking boots.
The first hour of the sessions will cover safety around horses, grooming, feeding and caring for horses. The second hour will feature a short mounted session where all participants will be able to ride a horse. That session will be followed by a demonstration ride over jumps and fences in the arenas and cross country course at the beautiful Goodenough Farms Horse Spa by future Olympic riders intent on reaching the Summer Olympics in London in 2012.
“This should be a fun morning for kids and families that haven’t had the chance to spend much time around horses. By getting off the couch and on a horse we hope some of these kids discover the joy of riding, like our kids did,” said John Lockhart, owner of Goodenough Farms and a member of the US Eventing Association’s Marketing Committee. “Who knows, we may discover a future Olympian at one of these sessions.” To reserve your spot in one of the sessions on Saturdays May 10, 17 or 31 please write info@goodenoughfarms.com or call (805) 524-2444. Goodenough Farms is located just one hour from Los Angeles, 20 minutes from Valencia and 30 minutes from Oxnard and Ventura. For more information visit www.goodenoughfarms.com