Ride at Belle Wood
Build confidence, skill, and horsemanship at Belle Wood
Belle Wood Equestrian offers year-round riding lessons for children and adults aged 6 and up, from complete beginners to experienced riders. Our horse-first program is designed to develop confident, knowledgeable, and well-rounded equestrians through progressive instruction in the saddle, proper horse care, safety, and horsemanship.
Whether a rider is taking their very first lesson, building a stronger foundation, or working toward their next show goal, our certified coaching team creates a supportive environment where every student can learn at the right pace.
Why ride at Belle Wood Equestrian?
Belle Wood Equestrian was founded in 2008 with a commitment to putting the horse first while building strong foundations for riders from the beginning. Located on 56 acres at the border of Pickering and Whitby, our program welcomes riders from across Durham Region, Markham, York Region, and Toronto’s east end.
Our coaching team is licensed with Equestrian Canada and current in first aid. Belle Wood is also an Ontario Equestrian-accredited facility. Our coaches support riders from their first experience around horses through to advanced development in hunter, jumper, and equitation disciplines.
As riders grow, they may also have opportunities to participate in clinics, schooling shows through the Belle Wood Grass Roots Show Series, show-team activities, and other experiences that build confidence both in and out of the arena.
Ready to find your place at Belle Wood?
How the lesson program work at Belle Wood Equestrian
Lessons are booked by the month in sets of four. Riders are placed in a suitable group based on age, experience, goals, and current riding level. As students develop, their lesson placement and schedule may change to continue supporting their progress.
Belle Wood incorporates the structured curriculum established by Ontario Equestrian and Equestrian Canada Rider Levels into our weekly lessons. This gives riders a clear pathway for developing technical riding skills while also learning about horse care, safety, tack, stable management, and responsible horsemanship.
Our coaches work with riders at every stage, including beginners who have never ridden before, novice riders developing their independence, and advanced students preparing for clinics, schooling shows, and further competition opportunities.
Lesson Options at Belle Wood
Group lessons
Group lessons are the regular foundation of our weekly riding program. Riders learn alongside students at a compatible level while developing their confidence, communication, and riding skills in a positive team environment.
Private and semi-private lessons
Private and semi-private lessons are available upon request, depending on coach and horse availability. These options can be helpful for riders who benefit from more individualized instruction, have specific goals, or need additional support while building their foundations.
Private lessons may be allocated to beginner riders when appropriate. This gives new riders the space to learn essential foundations without feeling overwhelmed in a group setting. One-hour private and one-hour semi-private lessons may also be available, depending on scheduling.
Belle Wood Introductory Lesson
New riders begin with a Belle Wood Introductory Lesson. This lesson allows our coaches to assess the rider’s experience, confidence, goals, and current level before placing them in the most appropriate group or recommending a private or semi-private option.
This introductory step helps us create a safer, more comfortable, and more productive starting point for every rider.
Lesson Schedule at Belle Wood
These times indicate when lessons are offered—not fixed lesson times for every rider. Exact lesson times vary according to rider levels, group placement, coach availability, and horse suitability. Schedules may change from month to month as students progress. For daytime lesson availability, please contact us by email.
One-hour private and semi-private lessons are available depending on scheduling. Please email us for current availability and pricing.
Belle Wood does not run regular lessons during the fifth week of a month, unless noted otherwise