RTS Rider Newsletter
Hello Riders and Parents:
Happy New Year!
1. We start back riding on Monday, Jan 4th!
2. You can check the rider schedule and the horse schedule on the website (see 'Schedules' on pop down menu). Lauren's Monday Saddle Club has a slightly different ride time from last year - be sure and check that out if you ride with Lauren. Molly's Saturday Saddle Club also has a different schedule from last year.
3. Sport riders will notice a number by their name on both the rider schedule and the horse schedule - this number denotes the week in the month that you ride/lease. For example, 1-Sue on the rider schedule indicates that Sue rides the first week each month. On the horse schedule, 1/3 Sue indicates Sue leases on the 1st and 3rd week of the month. Email me if you are confused!
4. All riders will sign a new Rider Enrollment Form this month. There is a separate form for Recreational Riders and Sport Riders. Your instructor will hand these out this month. You will return a signed copy of both the legal release and rider enrollment rules and keep a copy of the rider enrollment rules for your files.
5. A reminder to Saddle Club riders that the 4th lesson of the month will be a 2 hour group lesson!! I am excited about this change in the Saddle Club program and look forward to getting rider/parent feedback on this.
6. Trail Club riders (the old 'Pony Express') have an opening on Wednesday evening - until this slot is reserved, we can use this as a make-up ride time for Saturday Trail Clubbers!
7. We still have a few riders that need a make-up lesson from December - please send me a reminder.
8. Level 1.5 riders should wear their boots and chaps! Your instructor may need to limit your lesson to 'walk only' if you do not have your chaps.
9. Winter riding is a blast!! BUT, it can be miserable if you are too cold. This is especially true for very small or young riders. Keep some layers in the hatchback or trunk for your rider (you might want to keep the chaps and boots in there too). No big bulky coats or mittens though. Please layer, layer, layer . . . and don't leave any layers at the barn!!
10. Sport Riders will have a shelf to store their barn items. I would like for each sport rider to keep their helmet, gloves, and extra layers in an appropriately-sized zippered bag. The bag will keep their items together, handy, and clean (well . . . clean as possible in a barn).
11. Several riders have asked about 'Barn Hours.' Riders sometimes earn a barn hour for exhibiting good judgment, skill, or extra effort. When you have accumulated 6 barn hours, you select a 'barn gift.' Your instructor will notify me if you have earned a barn hour and I will document this on the website. The barn hour list is available in the pop down menu titled 'Newsletter.' Notify your instructor when you have received 6 barn hours so you can select your gift!!!
12. Welcome to our new riders starting with us this January.
I'm looking forward to a great year at the stable.
Julie Catone