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Spend some time on horseback during your next visit to Chestnut Ridge!

We'll provide horses, tack, helmets, and expert guides for you and your party. Enjoy 362 acres of beautiful, rolling hills and green, mature forest while riding the trails at Chestnut Ridge.

Riders are welcome either as part of a retreat group or by appointment. We are happy to make arrangements to ride any day of the week. We welcome families, churches, or any other group to come enjoy a day in the saddle at Chestnut Ridge. We also enjoy helping scout groups working towards horse related merit badges.

How much does it cost?

Rates are $50 for one hour trail ride, and $35 for half hour trail ride. In addition to the ride itself, participants will have the opportunity to prepare and saddle the horses and return them to pasture.

Interested in Trail Riding Lessons and special events?

Make a Reservation

To reserve your spot, indicate your desire to make trailriding part of your retreat experience as part of the event reservation form. If you are not part of a retreat group, but would like to come ride at Chestnut Ridge, please call or email.

Equestrian Center Improvements

Make a Dream Come True.....

You can help make dreams come true for the campers, guests, and visitors of Chestnut Ridge by donating to support the Equestrian Center improvements.

The Chestnut Ridge Equestrian Center is ideally situated on 362 beautiful acres of rolling hills and hardwood forests in Efland, NC. Founded in 1959, Chestnut Ridge has been supported by the United Methodist Church for over 50 years. Horses have been part of the camp's identity since the very beginning. For the last 8 years, our neighbors have graciously loaned us their pastures for our horses. But now the time has come to create a home for them on Chestnut Ridge property. We are excited to begin the next phase of improvements and expansion to this historic program. But we need your help...

Phase I: An Open Space (COMPLETED 2011!)

Clear, grade, and smooth 33 acres
Fertilize and seed the land

Phase II: A New Home for Horses

Safe fencing and gates
Water and electricity
Run-In Shelters

Phase III: A Place for All

A covered arena with lights
A REAL BARN!

How you can be a part of making these dreams come true:

Daisy's Darlings: raise or donate $100-$499

Polly's Pals: raise or donate $500-$999

Striker's Stars: raise or donate over $1,000

Chief's Champions: raise or donate over $10,000

All donors will be acknowledged on the donor board at the improved Equestrian Center.

Click here to read a blogpost from Chris Burtner regarding the reasons for the Equestrian Center improvements

Click Here for a pdf version of the brochure

Please send your tax deductible donation to 4300 Camp Chestnut Ridge Rd. Efland, NC 27243. Or you may use the blue donate button on the top right of this page to donate online

Spring 2012 Riding Lessons

Registration is open for spring riding lessons! Beginning today (December 1), current lessons students may re-enroll, and open registration will begin December 15. There are classes for all experience levels and age of riders this spring with lessons beginning March and running through June (see below for descriptions and complete schedule). This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with questions! To register, fill out this form and mail it in or drop it off. We look forward to our spring sessions!

Horse Lessons and Opportunities

2012 Spring Riding Lessons

The Equestrian Programs at Chestnut Ridge are designed with children in mind! Our AAHS certified instructors teach safe horse skills so that small people can feel comfortable and confident with big animals, on the ground and riding them. Riders learn to work together as a team with our staff and the horses to gain new skills and have FUN! All this takes place in the new riding arena and on the 362 acres of beautiful trails of Chestnut Ridge Camp and Retreat Center!

Schedule:

Spring lessons will begin the week of March 12. We will have two sessions: March 12-April 26, and May 7-June 4.

New Riders: Mondays 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM (Upper Elementary, 1 year or less riding lessons)
Session I - $200, Session II - $160 (each payable in 2 installments)

Novice Riders: Tuesdays 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM (4th-8th grade, 1 or more years riding lessons)
Session I - $200, Session II - $160 (each payable in 2 installments)

Little New Riders: Wednesdays 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (K-2nd grade, 1 year or less riding lessons)
Session I - $175, Session II - $140 (each payable in 2 installments)

Beginning Riders: Thursdays 4:30 PM - 5:45 PM (all ages, no riding experience) PICT0054
Session I - $200, Session II - $160 (each payable in 2 installments)

Saturdays - Make up lessons, private lessons, recreational trail rides, and additional group lessons (if there is enough interest)

All riders must have long pants and boots or closed-toed shoes with a heel. Riding helmets are required and will be provided by Chestnut Ridge.
Transportation to riding lessons from local schools and an afternoon snack is available for riders not enrolled in the Chestnut Ridge After School Program for an additional charge of $5 per week (Session I - $25, Session II - $20). Riders enrolled in the After School program will be picked up from the Pavilion and taken to the equestrian area for lessons.

Please contact us for availability and enrollment information:
Chris Burtner, Equestrian Director
Jana Murdock, Equestrian Programs Specialist
(919) 338-2820
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

There's More!

Check the calendar for special horse events.

Interested in a trail riding experience as part of a retreat or event at Chestnut Ridge?

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