Rock Creek Horse Center552

In addition to supplying horse and pony rides to park visitors (and none of that boring, round and round in a circle stuff - even the ponies take to the trails!), Rock Creek Horse Center offers riding lessons and summer camp.

One-hour trail rides on horses (for kids ages 12 and up, weight restrictions apply), and 10- to 15-minute, supervised pony rides (for kids at least two and a half and over 30 inches tall) give kids a whole new perspective on Rock Creek Park from April through October. Helmets are provided. You must call at least 24 hours in advance with a credit card in hand to reserve your mount. From April through October, trail and pony rides are offered several times a day on Saturday and Sunday. In addition, from June through August, they are both offered on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday as well.

Riding Lessons are offered in group or private formats. Riding lessons run on a term basis, with classes meeting weekly for 12 weeks. Classes are organized according to age and riding ability, and English balanced-seat instruction is offered at all levels. Intermediate level classes include some jumping and basic dressage. Limited western-style classes are also available.

Group lessons are held on weekday afternoons and evenings, and weekend mornings and afternoons, for children over the age of four. Private lessons are also offered. All new students, except complete beginners, must take an evaluation lesson before starting classes.

Summer camps are offered in one week sessions for children ages four and up. Each session includes instruction, lectures on horsemanship theory and safety, trail rides, picnics, and games.