PROGRAMS
Recreational Riding
The Recreational Riding program is for students Kindergarten through 12 Grade. Designed to properly start the beginning rider, the Recreational Riding program includes lessons focusing on skill development and basic horse care, including grooming and tacking-up. Mounted and unmounted training develops a thorough base of equestrian knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as competitive edge. For continued safety and individual success of each rider, class size is limited and enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants may compete in GFS sponsored events, where appropriate.
Costs for Upper School, Middle School and Lower School (effective September 1st):
$750 (once/week) $1,400 (twice/week) $1,950 (three times/week)
All recreational riders may choose to ride 1-3 times/week. Upper School students who ride 3 times/week may receive Physical Education credit. Costs are based on the number of lessons per week during a season/trimester (a season is fall, winter or spring).
Lower School students ride during their already-scheduled Physical Education period. Riders must participate in GFS P.E. Riding class at least once per P.E. rotation in order to participate in afterschool riding lessons. Students are scheduled according to grade and ability and take lessons with their grade during PE. Students may participate in the Lower School Horse Show during the school year. The cost for Lower School Riding is for one lesson during P.E. and one or two additional lessons/week afterschool.
Apparel and Equipment Needed: All Recreational riders must be dressed in long pants, preferably jodhpurs, boots with a heel and have an appropriate (ASTM-approved) helmet with a harness.
Questions? Contact GFS Stables at (410) 559-3450 or riding@gfs.org.
Full-Lease/Ownership Package
The Full-Lease/Ownership Package is designed for the rider who is seeking the ultimate equestrian experience—the freedom to ride as desired and a horse meeting specific criteria. This package includes board, staff care and the Competition program, plus identification and acquisition of the ideal horse for the rider, all-encompassing development of horsemanship and bond between rider and horse, and exclusive access to the horse (within barn hours).
Clients are required to use GFS vendors (vet, farrier, etc.), to be scheduled by the GFS barn manager and billed separately. Riders must read, sign and return GFS Stables Boarding Contract.
Upper School, Middle School and Lower School Cost (effective September 1st):
GFS Family: $1,850/month with a six-month minimum commitment
Non-GFS Family: $2,000/month with a six-month minimum commitment
Includes:
- 3 lessons per week (schedule set by GFS staff with flexibility offered in summer months) plus one training ride by GFS staff.
- Lessons are scheduled Monday – Friday, 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM during the school year.
- Board of horse
- Staff labor and care (turn-out, feeding, blanketing, stall cleaning and maintenance)
- Billed monthly for the upcoming month
- Lease and/or acquisition fees not included
- Additional charges may include horse transportation, student transportation, lodging, boarding of horse and show entry fees.
- Coaching fees will be charged for all competitions.
Apparel and Equipment Needed:
In addition to riding clothes, helmet, boots and grooming equipment, riders are expected to have show clothes and all tack and equipment for their animal.
Missed Lesson Policy
Missed lessons must be made up within the calendar month or may be substituted for an additional training ride with 24 hours’ notice.
Questions? Contact GFS Stables at (410) 559-3450 or riding@gfs.org.
Horse Shows and Events
Garrison Forest hosts several shows annually at the school’s collegiate-level D. & J. Smith Equestrian Center. Nearly every weekend GFS takes riders to a competition, including:
- United State Equestrian Federation competitions
- MHSA, VHSA and “A” shows
- HITS shows in Florida, New York and New England
- Washington International Horse Show
- Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) shows
- Gittings Finals
- Baltimore County Horse Show Association series
Participating in local and/or away horse shows incur additional costs, listed below. (Prices are subject to change):
- Local and/or Away Horse Show Fees
- Coaching at Shows: $85/day (rate will increase if less than 3 students attending show)
- Daily Care/Grooming: $70/day for rated show; $40/day for local show. GFS groom assists in tacking and taking care of animal or GFS groom for full care at $150/day (includes load, unload, tack up, take home, etc.) for rated shows and $100/day for local shows
- Trainer per diem: To be split among participating clientele
- Tack and Feed Stall: To be split among participating clientele
- Medications: Billed per show
- Showing of Horse: $75/day at rated shows; $50/day at local shows
- Tack and Feed Room: To be split among participating clientele
- Other fees may include trainer/coach travel and lodging Vanning: dependent on location
- Entries: dependent on the show
Forms and Policies
2024-25 Forms:
Riding Agreement
Rate Sheet (Effective July 1, 2024)
Policies
Contact
We welcome to GFS Riding! Click here to meet the rest of our staff.
Rick Harris, Director of Riding
(410) 559-3450
rickharris@gfs.org
Taylor Herzog, Assistant Director of Riding
(410) 559-3452
taylorherzog@gfs.org