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CONTACT US


Echo Creek Riding Academy
4020 NC Hwy 57
Hillsborough, NC 27278


Phone
919-999-0204
for voicemail and text messaging


Email


Visits are by appointment only!

 

 

:: About Our Lesson Program

Echo Creek students are well rounded riders who eventually are able to do hunters, jumpers, lower level dressage, horse trials, foxhunting, bareback riding, pleasure riding and any thing else they choose to do.

Echo Creek students are taught how to be balanced and safe when riding. We teach Hunt Seat equitation mixed with elements of balance seat, forward seat and dressage.

Echo Creek provides a learning environment for equestrians of all ages. Students ages range from 3 to 73. Rider levels of experience range from beginners to advanced.

As the student progress through various levels of riding skills and knowledge, we teach them how to work the horse. From the very beginning we encourage students to think about the horse. If we try to understand how the horse is thinking and feeling, then we ride and handle the horse better.

We encourage all our students to have fun while they learn, yet be safe. We also want our students to be challenged physically and mentally to become a better rider and horseman.

Our expectations are high. We want students to do their best. We want them to know all they can. We show and teach them how to take care of the horse and the equipment. Once they learn, students help new students learn.

We teach and expect good horsemanship. Horsemanship is the understanding and practicing of caring for the horse on and off its back.

Another quality instilled into Echo Creek riders is sportsmanship. Every one encourages, supports, and cheers for the success of another rider, no matter how small.

Many life lessons are learned by working with and riding horses. Riding horses teaches us to communicate with our mount with mostly nonverbal cues. We need to listen and be aware of what the horse is telling us. Your patience with horses must be never-ending. They must learn to trust you and you must learn to trust them.

Riders must be diligent and have the desire to learn and be drilled in the basic skill, so then riding will become more natural and even more fun. Horses teach us to be confident and make decisions regarding how we ride and what we want our equine partner to perform. Remember, horses have opinions and feelings too.

Riders at Echo Creek are committed to doing their best and to having fun while learning. In this wonderful world of horses, there is always more to learn.

 

How our program works

Lessons at Echo Creek Riding AcademyLessons are taught in groups of 3 to 7 students. Private and semi-private lessons are also available

All lessons are scheduled Monday through Saturday. Students arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time to groom and tack up the horse.

If you are a beginner, we show you how to get the horse prepared for the lesson. Each lesson is approximately an hour. After the lesson, students must cool out their horse.

Once the horse is cared for, students clean and put away their tack and equipment. Improper care or respect for the horses and the equipment will not be tolerated.

Most students have weekly lessons throughout the year. Some students ride twice a week. The more you ride, the more you progress.

 

Other things to know

  • All students must wear ASTM/SEI helmets and other appropriate riding attire to lesson.
  • Before riding, all students or parents of students must sign a disclosure of risk and a release of liability.
  • Students need to keep check on the barn calendar for up coming shows, clinics and days when there are no lessons.
  • In the case of inclement weather, please call and check the answering machine for the status of lessons.
  • Cancellations must be given by 8am for morning lessons and by 12 pm for afternoon lessons the day of your scheduled lesson. You will be charged for the lesson if we don't receive appropriate notification. No exceptions!
  • Lessons can be rescheduled.
  • All students, their family and their friends must follow barn rules.

Opportunities for students

  • Practice Rides – extra riding time for our students.
  • On-site horse shows – schooling shows for beginner to advanced.
  • Riding Camps – intensive session for learning more about riding and horse care.
  • Foxhunting
  • Off-site horse shows - shows around the community hunter, dressage and some combined training.
  • Duke University Equestrian Team
  • UNC-CH Equestrian Team
  • Onsite Riding Workshops on select topic
  • Clinic taught outside of the farm
  • Video sessions and analysis
  • On-site clinics with other instructors