FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?
The recreational team rides once weekly for 8 weeks each semester. The weekly time commitment is around 3 hours, every week. This allows for carpool to the barn, tack up, ride for about 1 hour, untack, and return to campus.
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The show team currently rides twice weekly for 10 weeks in the fall semester and 5 weeks in the spring semester (following the horse show season). The weekly time commitment is 6 hours per week, every week. Additional time is required for participation in the horse shows.
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If there are fundraising events, those would also require member participation.
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In the future, we would love to host social events like movie nights, group workouts, and riding tip seminars. These events would be optional (but encouraged)!
WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE ANY RIDING ATTIRE?
Don't worry! We understand proper riding attire is expensive and some of our members are just starting out. You can ride in form-fitting jeans, leggings, tight sweatpants and boots with a low heel (under 1 inch). Helmets are available at the barn to borrow for your lesson!
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If you want to invest in breeches, riding boots, and a helmet, we suggest looking at Dover Saddlery, The Rider's Closet, or even Amazon! Also, the Hunting Horn is a relatively local tack shop for in person shopping.
WHERE DO YOU RIDE?
Both the show team and recreational team take lessons at Castle Creek Farms in Mendon, NY. It is about a 25 minute drive from campus to the barn and we carpool to lessons.​ Our lesson instructor and show team coach is Lindsay Stauffer.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Castle Creek Farms gives our club a lesson rate of $50 per rider. For Fall 2024, recreational team riders pay $350 for 8 lessons. Show team riders pay $825 for 20 lessons. Each horse show class is $50 plus a show day coaching fee of $50. Spring 2025 lesson prices are TBD.
WHAT IF I'VE NEVER RIDDEN BEFORE?
Our recreational team takes all levels of riders! We try our best to place riders groups based on level so that everyone can enjoy their lessons safely.
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Our horse show team does require experience. Preferably, riders interested in joining the show team are able to:
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catch/groom/tack up/untack
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walk/trot/canter
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jump cross-rails
DO YOU RIDE DURING THE ROCHESTER WINTER?
Yes! Rochester's winters can begin as early as the end of September and last as long as the end of April, but that doesn't stop us! As long as we can safely drive, we will still have lessons (the barn expects us to be present for our lessons, unless they are otherwise cancelled). Lots of layers, gloves, hand warmers, and toe warmers are highly recommended!