1- Introductory/Evaluation Lesson

required for all new students. This 1-hour private lesson. $80 At this lesson we will either introduce you to horseback riding or evaluate you your riding skills and "grade" all riders with prior experience. Any rider that has no experience will need to have an introductory lesson first and then will need to take private lessons until they have mastered a few set skills that we require for them to joining a group lesson.

Riders with prior experience will be graded and will either be able to join a group lesson or to continue with private lessons. This will be discussed after the lesson. 

2-Private and Semi-Private Lessons

Private lessons are great for the new riders! These 1 hour one on one lessons allow the rider to really grasp the skills needed to effectively ride a horse. All beginner riders will need to take a few private lessons before they are ready to join a group lesson. Some examples of skills that they will need to master are" 2-pointing for a whole lap, steering a circle at the trot without breaking, knowing how to steer using 1 and 2 hands, the start of cantering. Each rider will be assessed before they are allowed to join a group lesson. 

We also offer private lessons for advanced riders in ranch, reining, trail and western riding!

SEMI-PRIVATE LESSONS- are great options for families that want to rider together! 

3-Traditional Group Lessons

Group lessons are 1 hour with 2-7 riders per group. Riders will ideally stay with the same day and time each week to progress together. Our goal for each group is to develop all around great horsemen and horsewomen who not only are great riders but also are educated about the equine. Each rider attending a weekly group lesson will be able to take advantage of our discounted lesson price when you book 4 lessons at 1 time. This discount is automatically deducted from your total price! 

Riders can be added to weekly group times which will reserve their spot each week! 

Equipment needed for Riding lessons-
 

  • Helmet- this must be a certified riding helmet and can not be a bike helmet. 
  • Jeans or long pants
  • Boots or old tennis shoes- tennis shoes are not recommended but can be used for a new rider while they are trying out our program. Once your rider has joined a group lesson they will not be able to wear tennis shoes while riding.
  • For winter riding a snug fitted jacket, head band or winter helmet cover and gloves are recommended. It is also recommended to wear layers!! Leggings under jeans work well for insulation.
  • All other equipment is provided by JD Show Horses.

Group Lesson Price Update

Starting October 1 2025, group lesson prices will increase to $50 per session unless you choose to purchase a membership. We encourage you to review our membership options to take advantage of discounted rates and added convenience.

Membership Options

  • Memberships are automatically renewed monthly and provide a discounted lesson price.

  • Each month, members receive four or eight tokens in their account, which can be used to book lessons. These tokens must be used within 30 days of issue; any unused tokens will expire after this period.

  • We offer two membership plans: 4 Lesson Membership: Includes four lessons per month. $175

  • 8 Lesson Membership: Includes eight lessons per month. $345

Memberships can be cancelled at any time, giving you flexibility and control over your participation.

Encouraging Consistent Weekly Riding

Our goal with these changes is to encourage consistent weekly riding, which we believe is essential for skill development and maximizing the benefits of our program.

Assigning Weekly Group Lesson Times

If your rider is not currently assigned to a weekly group lesson day and time and has completed at least five private lessons within the last two months or one of our summer camps, please contact Jessica to arrange a regular weekly slot that works best for your schedule.

Contact Information

If you have any questions about these changes or need assistance with scheduling, please reach out to Jessica at jdshowhorses@yahoo.com.

 

Thank you for your understanding and support. We look forward to continuing your riding journey with us!

 

Here is a short video to show you what your account will look like and how to purchase these memberships- https://youtu.be/MCkQCfkVKz0  

Payment and Cancellation Policy:

-Lesson scheduling can be viewed through the Riding Portal. All riders/parents will be required to create an account for booking lessons.

-Lessons are paid for at the time of booking. 

-No refunds will be given, only account credits for future use.

-A 36 HOUR cancellation notice must be given to avoid being charged for a scheduled lesson time. NO EXCEPTIONS! We understand emergencies and illnesses come up, however, our instructors and facility depend on the filling of the slots to operate. If you do give us a 36 hour notice you will be able to reschedule through the Riding Portal.

-In the event JD Show Horses has to cancel, a credit will be applied to your account.

The Road to Group Riding Lessons at JD Show Horses

How to Progress from Private to Group Lessons and What to Expect-

At JD Show Horses, we believe that a strong foundation is the key to successful and enjoyable riding. Whether you are a complete beginner or have prior experience, our structured lesson program ensures that every rider is prepared for group lessons in a safe and supportive environment. This guide outlines the pathway from your first evaluation lesson to joining group sessions, including the necessary skills, commitment expectations, and the benefits of group riding.

Starting Your Journey: Evaluation Lesson

Every new student at JD Show Horses begins with an evaluation lesson. This initial one-on-one session allows our instructors to meet you, answer your questions, and assess your current riding abilities. For experienced riders, it’s a chance for us to see what you know and tailor the program accordingly. For beginners, we introduce you to the basics and help you feel comfortable with our horses and teaching style.

Building Skills Through Private Lessons

There is no set timeline for transitioning to group lessons, but most new riders typically need at least 5-6 consecutive lessons. This period is crucial for retaining what is learned and mastering the essential skills for safe group riding. Consistency is key, as these lessons build the technical foundation required to ride confidently and independently.

Skills Evaluated Before Joining Group Lessons

  • ·         Comfort working around horses
  • ·         Tacking up and getting to the arena promptly
  • ·         Checking the girth for safety
  • ·         Properly placing and holding reins
  • ·         Basic steering and stopping
  • ·         Walking and trotting proficiency
  • ·         Basic understanding of loping
  • ·         Untacking and safely putting the horse away

Mastery of these tasks ensures that each rider can participate safely and efficiently in a group setting. These are not easy tasks and require consistent practice to develop.

Joining Group Lessons

Once you have demonstrated mastery of the required skills, you are eligible to join a group lesson. Group lessons are best suited for riders who can commit to riding weekly. If your schedule does not allow for a regular weekly group session, it is recommended to continue with private lessons until you can make that commitment.

To join a group, contact Jessica at jdshowhorses@yahoo.com to discuss available days and times appropriate for your skill level. Jessica will work with you to place you in the right group, update your rider’s grade, and adjust the calendar to reflect your group lesson times.

Scheduling and Calendar Policies

The calendar displays multiple group lesson times, which are open for riders needing an additional lesson or a substitute for their regular weekly time. However, please prioritize your scheduled weekly group slot unless you need to switch for a week or take an extra lesson.

Group lessons—and the associated discount—are only available to riders who commit to weekly sessions or at least four lessons per month. Looking ahead on the calendar, your weekly time will be the only guaranteed slot, thanks to our 20-day booking window. This policy ensures that your spot is reserved and helps maintain consistent group progress. Most riders book monthly to secure their preferred times.

Benefits of Group Lessons

  • ·         Improved traffic control in the arena
  • ·         Opportunity to meet and socialize with barn friends
  • ·         Development of advanced riding skills
  • ·         Consistent progress in a supportive group environment

Contact Information

If you have questions or are ready to schedule your group lesson, please reach out to Jessica at jdshowhorses@yahoo.com.

 

TO RECEIVE ALL IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION SIGN UP FOR OUR TEXT ALERTS- TEXT – JD_Show_Horses TO 1-740-675-0332 to receive text notifications regarding lessons!

Each week we send out a picture of our lesson board

All cancellations will be emailed.

You will notice on our calendar that the earliest we usually have lessons available is after 2pm. This allows us to be able to complete barn chores prior to our lessons starting however, if you would like to ride earlier in the day, let us know! If you are able to stick to a weekly lesson time earlier in the day we can accomodate you. To schedule that please reach out to Jessica at jdshowhorses@yahoo.com.

In 2026 we will be offering a Homeschooler Program, more details to come! 

Weather Policy• Lessons are only cancelled due to the following:

• Actual temperatures that are below 10 degrees, there maybe times when we will still have lessons but they will be UnMounted Lessons. On these days riders can wear snow pants and boots. These are hands on horse related activities 

• Inclement weather such as severe storms with the risk of tornados

• Snow or icy road conditions which have been deemed a Level 2 or above

• Flooding

• Heat (temperatures over 100 or high heat indexes)

• Lessons are not cancelled due to rain. Only if there is an excess amount of rainfall that causes the indoor riding areas to flood or severe storms. In the event of storms during a lesson that could making riding unsafe, students will participate in horse management and classroom lessons. These lessons will consist of things such as tack cleaning, leg wrapping, stall cleaning, videos, ground work, etc.

Parents/riders will be notified as soon as possible in the event of cancellation due to weather via the Riding Portal email notifications as well as a text alert. 

Throughout the riding process, riders will learn parts of the horse, tack, breeds and colors. Here are some helpful diagrams of some of the things we will be expecting the riders to learn! Things to Know!