FOR KIDS : ‘Parents and Me’ for the Horse Set : Six-week courses in equestrian skills include grooming, saddling, mounting and dismounting, and terminology.
Here’s one Mommy and Me class you may not have discovered--horseback-riding lessons.
These once-a-week lessons are given at Stoney Point Riding Center in Chatsworth in a six- week program offered through Mason and Northridge parks and Learning Tree University. The lessons are geared to 3- to 5-year-olds, but slightly older beginners can sign up, too.
The children and parents are taught how to groom the pony or horse, how to saddle them, and how to mount and dismount correctly. Parents take their children through the course by leading the pony or horse. Children are taught correct terminology, and how to walk and trot. Students are advanced to the next step according to their ability and, if they continue lessons, eventually learn to control the horse themselves.
Zsuzsu Illes Neville, 29, of Northridge first enrolled her son, Zoltan, 4, in the class about six months ago.
“I rode a little bit as a child and when I saw the course offered through the Learning Tree University, I thought it would be fun for both of us. I think children need to learn to respect animals and nature, and I feel this is really helping Zoltan. It has taught him courage, helped his self-esteem and has helped him gain strength.â€
The Mommy and Me program is referred to as “Parents and Me†at the stables because dads and moms are involved.
Sandy Williams, 44, of Woodland Hills participates in the program along with his wife and daughter, Sarah, 7. The parents trade off helping their daughter, alternating lessons or sharing the same lesson with her.
“We became interested in the program after talking to some people who had kids in riding and they said it was a good insurance policy to help keep your kids drug-free,†Williams said. Many parents believe that riding teaches children responsibility and gives them a positive interest to focus on.
Several parents commented on how helpful and friendly the instructors are. For those parents who are a little horse-shy or who want to observe occasionally, there are usually older riding students happy to lead the horse around.
Two of the instructors, Heather Spezman, 28, and Lorie Thompson, 35, who own their own horses and take riding lessons as well as teach, say they keep a watchful eye on each student’s progress.
“It is very individual as to when a child is ready to start riding. They need to be able to pay attention and to keep their balance,†Thompson says.
Once students graduate from the Mommy and Me classes, they can continue in group or private lessons from beginning to advanced. Lessons, which usually cost about $15 to $20 per lesson, are also available for adults and children.
The Mommy and Me instructors are trained by the director and trainer of Stoney Point, Vel Moore, who has worked at various other riding centers and studied with European trainers before starting Stoney Point more than seven years ago. She believes in her students learning about horses from the hoof up.
Stoney Point offers equestrian education in hunt seat, dressage and basic jumpers. Also offered are clinics, workshops, trail rides, play days, boarding and holiday celebrations.
A horse rescue operation has been started to help save animals about to be destroyed. Stoney Point takes those animals, gets them back in shape and re-educates them to become lesson horses. About six horse shows per year also are given, but competitiveness is de-emphasized.
Stoney Point tries to turn out well-rounded riders who encourage each other’s progress, Moore says.
WHERE TO GO
Location: Stoney Point Riding Center, 10861 Andora Ave., Chatsworth.
Price: Classes are about $10 to $15 per hour and are offered in six-seek sessions.
Gear: Children are provided with riding gear and helmets or hard hats if they do not have their own. Children are required to wear protective shoes or boots.
Call: Mommy and Me classes are available through Mason Park, (818) 998-6377; Northridge Park, (818) 349-7341, and Learning Tree University, (818) 882-5599. The number for Stoney Point Riding Center: (818) 709-2095.
