Lessons

Hilltop Stables offers quality riding lessons for all ages and levels. We provide riding, dressage and eventing lessons from the beginning through the advanced levels. We have clients whose goal is to improve their skills through riding lessons, with no plans to compete, as well as riders whose goal is to ride in the Olympics. We have many quality horses for lease, so you can practice outside of your riding lessons and dip your toe in before you jump in! Hilltop Stables riding lessons help students achieve a happy partnership and success in competition. We are proud to offer a showing and competition curriculum and a positive atmosphere that promotes friendship and enjoyment for both riders and horses. We also help our clients successfully buy and sell horses. For more information or to get started taking riding lessons call (707) 258-8874 or e-mail Linda Betts.

Single Riding Lesson - $75 (Great if you are in the area visiting and just feel the need to ride!)

Monthly Riding Lesson Tuition (due on the first of the month):
Riding Lessons, twice per month - $145
Riding Lessons, weekly - $275
Riding Lessons, twice per week - $445

Practice days (once per week, includes use of tack and arena) - $200 month. Frustrated that you keep having the same lesson? Practice time makes all the difference!

Information for New Riders

You'll take riding lessons from Linda Betts. Linda offers in-depth knowledge, 50 years of experience, and can thoroughly explain not only how to do something but also the "why" behind what you're doing. Along the way, clients learn to reason out the "why" as well. Linda is patient and kind, and she loves her job!

Hilltop Stables specializes in English riding and offers a high degree of personal attention. This individual attention makes clients feel comfortable communicating their needs, goals and any insecurities. You'll learn how to groom, put a saddle and bridle on ("tacking up"), and the basics of control and steering. Best of all, you'll have fun! Your instructor will talk with you about your riding background when scheduling your lesson.

Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes with a defined heel. Boots are preferred. Hilltop Stables provides helmets if you don't have your own.

Hilltop Stables places a high priority on safety, so the lesson horses are patient and talented, and make it easy for you to learn. Since many of our horses are also experienced competition horses, they are good teachers. For more advanced riders, lesson horses schooled through the upper levels of dressage as well as eventing are available.

Riding lessons are scheduled seven days a week. Occasionally there will be breaks when we are at shows! Please note Hilltop Stables requires 24-hour notice or the lesson fee is forfeited.

Beginner clients who take 1-2 lessons per week should acquire basic competence within a few months. Riding can be a fascinating, lifelong journey and for those of you who get hooked, Hilltop Stables works towards having you lease or half-lease one of the program's horses so you can practice in between lessons. If your goal is to compete in dressage, jumping or eventing, we can help you with developing the necessary skills safely. And when you're ready, we will help our clients purchase the right horse!