GES Leasing Program & Practice Ride Info.
Practice Rides - For riders who would like to get some extra time in the saddle we offer practice rides. Once riders are able to safely catch their horse in the pasture, tack up on their own and work independently and safely at the walk & trot they can sign up for practice rides. Younger riders may also sign up for practice rides if their instructor has given their parent the "OK" to assist them during this time.
You may ONLY work on skills taught in your lessons. NO one may jump with out GES staff supervision.
- Practice rides must be taken outside of GES lesson times. Days & Times vary by season depending on the current lesson schedule. Most practice ride days are Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Other times maybe available such as weekdays before lessons.
- Riders must sign up in advance (at least a week) by submitting an email to robyn@greatescapestables.com with the requested practice ride day, time and horse. DO NOT TEXT PR Requests.
- Practice rides are $45 per ride check or cash in an envelope with your name on it. No PayPal for practice rides.
- Once you sign up for a practice ride you are required to pay for it regardless of taking it or not as you have reserved that horse for that day and time.
- If you sign up and don't pay it will be added to your next lesson invoice and a late fee may apply.
- Practice rides are only available to current GES lesson riders.
- We must have a practice ride policy acknowledgement form on file.
Leasing - Leasing is a great alternative to horse ownership! Owning a horse isn't an option for everyone and leasing can give riders the chance to feel like a horse owner. Riders who wish to lease a lesson horse instead of just taking practice rides can do so for recreation or showing.
You will need to set up a meeting with Robyn (click to email) to discuss options, pricing and goals.
For riders to be successful they need to be working with the right horse. Lesson horses are intended to start riders confidently into riding and horsemanship. Then riders move on to their own personal horse (either leased or purchased). Please note that finding horses to lease/purchase can take anywhere from 1 month to 6 months. The more limited your budget or narrow the preferences the longer it takes. You have a trainer to assist you on this wonderful journey.
Lease Options are available for riders in the following levels: Level B+, C & Jump 1/2/3
Full Lease –
- A Full Lease has unlimited options, is similar to owning but without the long-term commitment. There are lots of horses/pony’s out there that need jobs both at GES & in other barns. A private lease or out-of-barn lease is finding a horse (either at GES or in a another barn and bringing them to GES) that is compatible with the rider and you lease them from the owner, similar to leasing a car from the dealership.
- Terms are usually 6 months to a year term.
- Average cost for a competitive 2’ to 2’6 level horse is $4,000 to $10,000 +
- Options are sometimes available as care leases with no upfront lease cost.
- Leasee is financially responsible for the horses board, vet & farrier (hoof) care. In most cases insurance as well.
- Pre-Lease vetting will be done and costs anywhere from $500 to $900.
- This is a good option for riders who want to progress, show, have a horse of their own and may only spend a year or two at a certain level or have a limited purchase budget. This option also alleviates the hassle of selling the horse in the future.
GES Half Lease –
- GES offers half leases on some horses when a compatible horse is available for a rider. Riders have limited options with this and the horse available will depend on the rider’s age/level/ability. Rider lesson days and practice rides are given priority but maybe limited at times. Show riders interested in leasing are given priority based on limited availability of horses.
- Riders will be billed for horses coggins annually for the horse to be able to horse show.
