Riding Lessons

Lesson Requirements

All students must be Cevalo members. To become a member, you need to submit a signed liability waiver and member information card and pay the quarterly membership dues. All members are asked to help with the day to day care of the horses, spend at least two hours per month working around the barn, and participate in at least one full work day per year.

Note: Work requirements are waived for students under the age of 8 and they are not expected to be able to groom and tack on their own. The instructor will get the horse ready for the lesson or assist the student as appropriate.

Rates

Cevalo lesson horse fees and instructor fees are paid separately. Instructor fees are paid directly to your instructor, quarterly membership dues and lesson horse fees are paid to Cevalo.

Quarterly Membership Dues

Membership entitles you to use Cevalo's facilities and equipment and participate in lessons and special events. Only Cevalo members and participants in camps and community outreach programs are allowed to ride Cevalo school horses. Quarterly membership dues are due January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st.

• $25 per quarter for individuals
• $50 per quarter for two or more family members

Lesson Horse Fees

• 1 hour lessons: $119 Cevalo horse fee
  $13 surcharge if you do not complete the 2 hour per month work requirement. Discounts apply if you pay before the first of the month or ride in more than one lesson per week. Monthly horse fees are pro-rated for students starting mid-month at a rate of $33 per lesson.
• 1/2 hour lessons: $56 Cevalo horse fee
  There is no monthly work requirement for students under 8. Monthly horse fees are pro-rated for students starting mid-month at a rate of $15 per lesson.

Instructor Fees

Our head instructor, Diana Disney, has over 25 years of experience teaching both children and adults at all levels. Formerly a competitive 3-day eventer in New Zealand, Diana graduated from Morven Park International Equestrian Institute as a certified instructor in 1981. Diana accepts students ages 8 and up.

• Group Lessons: $70 instructor fee
  $189/month including Cevalo horse fee.
• Semi-Private Lessons: $130 instructor fee
  $249/month including Cevalo horse fee.
• Private Lessons: $230 instructor fee
  $349/month including Cevalo horse fee.

Children under 8 can start lessons with one of our associate instructors under the supervision of our head instructor. Lessons for children under 8 focus on learning to balance and steer at the walk. As their balance and coordination improves, they will begin to ride more independently. Once a student is comfortable at the walk and able to steer and stop on their own, they may begin working at the trot. Lessons for children under 8 are walk-trot only.

Please note that the minimum age for lessons is 6. Riding requires a high-degree of coordination, balance, and concentration--young children often lack the body control needed to properly cue the horse.

• 1/2 hour Private Lessons: $60 instructor fee
  $116/month including Cevalo horse fee.

Additional Information

• Helmets required for all riders at all times when mounted. Safety vests encouraged but optional.
• Appropriate shoes or boots with a heel required while riding. Sturdy close-toed shoes or boots required for everyone while in the barn and around the horses.
• You must be a Cevalo Riding Academy Member to participate in lessons.
• All students must pay by the month (pro-rated when starting mid-month).
• Please make separate checks payable to Cevalo Riding Academy for your horse fee, and to your riding instructor for your instructor fee.
• Payments are due by the first of the month. $5 discount for Cevalo payments postmarked BEFORE the 1st of the month. (No discount for payments made via PayPal.)
• 24-hour cancellation notice required if you cannot attend your lesson.
• No refunds. Make-ups permitted at instructor's discretion. Students are responsible for scheduling make-ups with their instructor.
• Payments to Cevalo can be mailed or sent electronically.

Cevalo's mailing address is:

Cevalo Riding Academy
5655 Silver Creek Valley Rd
#201
San Jose, CA 95138

Cevalo's PayPal address is:

info@cevaloridingacademy.org