Jump Into Spring on the Back of a Horse

Your teens are holding a car wash at the high school Saturday. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon. Your tweens take tap on Wednesday evening. It’s your time. Take it.

Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier.

This week, we're letting you know that it's time to shed those winter blahs and register for spring horseback riding lessons at in Basking Ridge, a Somerset County facility.

So while you may spend most of your day as a mom, an office employee or even hitting the books as a local student, all you need to do is to climb into a saddle, pick up those reins and you've become an equestrian!

The county facility offers lower rates for in-county residents, and programs and lessons for riders at multiple levels of experience and ages. Registration is open for spring horseback riding classes and other seasonal programs for juniors [ages 9 to 17] and adults, to accommodate first-time beginners through more advanced levels with jumping experience.

Beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, the Somerset County Park Commission will accept class registrations until 3:30 p.m. in the stable office at 256 S. Maple Ave.

All classes are one hour in length. The 10-week spring session begins the week of April 2.

Current students may register for spring classes online. Online registrations will continue to be accepted through midnight on Monday, as space permits. Students wishing to enroll after that date must come to the stable office.

The 10-week program rate for Somerset County residents is $270 for flat [non-jumping] classes. For out-of-county residents, the rate for flat classes is $435.

First-time students, as well as those who prefer to pay by cash or check, are also required to register in person. 

All junior classes meet once a week for 10 weeks. Adults above the Beginner 1 level have the option of riding once a week for the full 10-week session or for the first or last five weeks.

The schedule of classes is available online and in the stable office. 

Riders who have previous experience and can post the trot, but have not ridden at Lord Stirling Stable, must be evaluated prior to registration to be placed in the appropriate level. Call the stable office to schedule a testing appointment.

Junior riders also may enroll in summer workshops during spring registration.  These are themed five-day programs that begin in June, with most workshops in session from 8:30 a.m to 1:30 p.m. Detailed information about specific requirements, content information and rates is available at the stable office and on the Somerset County Park Commission website.

The five-week one-hour flat class rates are $135 for Somerset County residents and $217.50 for out-of-county residents. Classes over fences are offered for $310 for county residents and $470 for out of county.

Payment is due at registration and is payable by cash, check, MasterCard, American Express, Visa or Discover.

For additional information please call the stable office, which is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 908-766-5955 or NJ Relay at 711 for individuals with hearing impairment.