The EPONA Equestrian Club is proud to begin offering Foundations students ages 4 and up customized horsemanship and riding lessons beginning August 2008. There will be a choice of on-site group lessons (a great way to introduce young students to ponies and horses) or private lessons offered at Rebel Woods Ranch (2 miles from Foundations).

• Phillies & Colts Program (Ages 4-6)
• Epona Private Riding Lessons Program (Ages 7 and Up)
• About Instructor Mary
• Contact Information

Phillies & Colts Program
Ages 4-6 years old

Experienced Equestrian Instructor Mary Hahn will bring a pony or horse to Foundations for this weekly group activity and lesson.  Groups of up to six children will participate in a one hour session.  The sessions will consist of one fun & educational project and riding.  The project will vary from: coloring the parts of the bridle, horse, saddle, etc; painting (horseshoe frames, pictures, etc.); photos; grooming the horse; dress up (horse and children can wear fun clothing); and more.

The horse ride will consist of each child having a short ride and going over the basics of how to sit in the saddle, hold the reins, how to stop and go, and balance.  After each class, a brief progress report will be sent home to parents through the online ParentsCentral system.   

The cost of the program is $25/week with a $25 registration fee.  Students can wear regular school clothes but should be sure to wear closed-toed shoes and long pants on the day of the session.     

EPONA Private Riding Lessons Program
Ages 7 and up

EPONA lessons for Foundations students are held offsite at Rebel Woods Ranch, located 2.9 miles from Foundations.  The EPONA program is geared to allow children to learn about horsemanship at their own pace and in turn develop physically and mentally for everyday life.  Focus areas include: balance; total body coordination; muscle development and strengthening; horsemanship: education, health care, behavior, and training; riding disciplines: dressage, hunters, western, and trail riding; listening skills; creativity; patience; friendly competition; horse showing; team work; and trust and confidence.

Sessions are one hour long, private lessons.  Transportation must be arranged by parents.  We encourage parents to come and watch riding lessons, attend seminars, and participate in any of the activities offered.

Each child will be given an assessment based on his/her individual needs, skills, and goals.  Each rider will be assigned a riding level, and progress reports will be compared to the initial assessment.

The cost is $60 per private lesson, with a $25 registration fee.  There is a 1-month commitment each month to ensure proper development of skills.  Students are asked to wear long pants, sturdy high top shoes, and bring a safety helmet (bicycle helmet) to each session.  Additional fees may be added for field trips or seminars.

About Instructor Mary
Associate of Arts/Psychology, Specializing in Child Development

Mary has been riding horses for over 40 years, including Western Pleasure, Trail Riding, Hunt Seat, Cross Country, and Dressage.  She has worked professionally with horses for 20 years.  She raised and trained her horse Tess, a top winning hunter in Georgia, and is still riding her today at the age of 25 years old.

Before moving to Marietta, Mary enjoyed leading a riding program in Alpharetta working with the mentally and physically challenged.  She had 25 students per week participating in all levels of riding.  Mary is currently the instructor at Rebel Woods Ranch in Marietta.  Horses have always been a big part of Mary’s life.  She has believed that horses provide a special way of teaching children and encouraging children in a way that is unsurpassed.   

For more information about Foundations for the Future's Equestrian Arts program, please contact GeorgeT@foundationscorp.com.