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[quote=Anonymous]My teen daughter has been desultorily taking group lessons once a week for 4 years now (except summers). It's cheaper than her advanced violin lessons at a reputable studio, and cheaper than travel sports, and on an hourly basis, way cheaper than the fancy test prep tutors we got for my teen son!

Your daughter might be the beginner lumped in with younger kids, or she might be in an adult beginner class... but that's OK! She will learn quicker than the younger kids and advance sooner.

The big problem is commute. Following the pandemic, a lot of established stables in the DC area closed and what with families looking for outdoor activities, not indoors (because of Covid) and trying to reshuffle everyone... there aren't a lot of open spots close to DC.

My kid is at Woodland Horse Stables, Spencerville, MD. The people running the place are warm and welcoming, and they structure their 50 minute groups lessons in 13 week packages (around $950), with make-up possibilities. The barns don't look their best, and some of the teachers are young and there have been a few horse safety issues under their watch that parents weren't happy about. Just telling you honestly. We stayed because there was literally no other spot I was willing to drive to in the afternoon commute (we couldn't get a weekend spot)... plus, we really like the more experienced teachers and the administrator is lovely.

In the same general area, there's Wheaton Horse Stables. Waredaca and Reddemeade closed. I know there are small stables in Potomac and Poolesville, but the big one, Potomac Horse Center, went under after the pandemic. Close or in DC, there's Meadowbrook Stables and Rock Creek Park Horse Center. Meadowbrook has a waitlist and it can take years to get a spot. I don't know about Rock Creek Park.

I got DD a state of the art helmet with the MIPS safety feature. Please get a MIPS-certified helmet for your daughter as soon as she knows she wants to stick with lessons. There are a few brands that offer it, and she needs to try them on, because certain shapes of the head go with certain models. She can get outfitted at Dover Saddlery - they have a location in VA and MD. Some stables have little shops of their own, but less selection.

If you live in Northern VA, there might be more schooling stable options for you.

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