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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My 7 year old is very interested. This is not an activity or world I am familiar with at all. If you rode or your kids rode, I’d really appreciate some insight into how this all works. What kind of riding school should I look for? Any safety things to consider? Is it super expensive, and is the culture quite exclusive/fancy? What kinds of strengths would this build? Do you eventually choose one style and train in that, and do you have to compete or can you do it for the joy of connecting with an animal?

I know a lot about music, and could imagine leading a kid down that path if they were interested, but I have no idea about this and how to even do due diligence on a program. [/quote]

OP my oldest started at age 7.

1. Horse camps at that age I would say no go. Not safe enough no matter how many instructors. Wait til child has more experience around horses. For us, it was around age 12, with lots of lessons and safety instuctions. 
2. Private lessons vs group. At age 7 same as above if you can afford it or research the barn super carefully as many are not that safety-conscious.
3. Private barns are better for that age than say Potomac Horse Center in MD. Nothing wrong with the horse center but again they leave why too much to the child and or parent that knows nothing about horseback riding ie safety issues. 
4. Three types of riders, Fancy Show riders, Pony Club or MGAA riders, and just riders.  Barns sometimes are just one type or do all three. Depends on your family what you are looking for.
5. Pony Club and MGAA (mounted games across America) are great organizations but definitely have parents like crazy sports parents and can be challenging. But two of mine did this and enjoyed it very much.
6. Barns are all different. Wardoca mentioned on this site by PP is an excellent one. I did not read the whole thread sorry, so not sure where you are. But when looking at barns, Wardocca or Bascule in MD are both good examples. I am not a fan of Camp Olympia at all. 
7. Riding is expensive when showing or not. There is no way around that, until child is older than can possibly work off some board.[/quote]

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