Frequently Asked Questions: Cevalo Lessons

Have questions about Cevalo's lesson program? You've come to the right place! If you're looking for more information about how things work at Cevalo, check out the Member FAQ. If you can't find the information you need, send a message to info @ cevalo.org!

Where is Cevalo located?
What are Cevalo's regular lesson hours?
How much does it cost to ride?
Are there any discount programs?
Why is there a work requirement?
Do I have to pay by the month?
Do you offer "drop-in" lessons?
What do students do during lessons?
What riding styles do you teach? (English? Western? Dressage? Jumping?)
Do you have a weight limit for riders?
What clothing and equipment do students need?
How do I sign up?
Do you accept credit card payments?
Are lesson fees tax deductible?

Where is Cevalo Located?

Cevalo Riding Academy is about 20 minutes South of Hwy 85 and Almaden Expressway in San Jose. We're located on Croy Road in Morgan Hill, about 1/4 mile in from Uvas Road. See the Directions page for a map and detailed directions.

What are Cevalo's regular lesson hours?

Our head instructor teaches on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons and evenings, and all day Saturday. Lessons for 6 and 7 year olds are generally held on Thursdays and Saturdays. Our junior drill team is currently riding on Monday afternoons. Lesson days and times occasionally vary, so please contact us in advance before you stop by. (We ride four times per month, so if there are 5 Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, or Saturdays, we typically take the 5th week off.)

How much does it cost to ride?

Group lessons: $199/month. Includes weekly 1-hour lessons (4 rides per month), school horse, and instructor fees. Open to riders 8 and up.
Semi-Private Lessons: $249/month. Includes weekly 1-hour lessons (4 rides per month), school horse, and instructor fees. Open to riders 8 and up.
Private Lessons; $349/month. Includes weekly 1-hour lessons (4 rides per month), school horse, and instructor fees. Open to riders 8 and up.
Private 1/2-hour Lessons: $116/month. Includes weekly 1/2-hour lessons (4-rides per month), school horse, and instructor fees. Open to 6 and 7 year olds.

Cevalo Membership required. 2-hour per month work requirement for students 8 and up. Minimum age for lessons is 6. Inquire about 1-time horse discoveries for children under 6 and parent-child combos.

Cevalo membership is required to participate in lessons and and other Cevalo student events and activities. Membership entitles you to access to the Cevalo facilities and participation in Cevalo events and activities. (Lesson and event fees are additional.)

Membership is not required to participate in horsemanship camps and private events such as badge days and birthday parties.

The quarterly membership fees are $25 per rider or $50 per family (2 or more riders). Membership fees are due on 1/1, 4/1, 7/1, and 10/1.

Are there any discount programs?

Yes! Discounts are offered for students who pay in advance by the quarter or calendar year:

5% discount on horse and membership fees when the full amount is paid at the beginning of each quarter. (Payments due 1/1, 4/1 7/1, 10/1)
10% discount on horse and membership fees when the full amount is paid annually. Members who pay the remainder of their 2010 fees by March 1st are also eligible for a 10% discount.

Discount only applies to the portion of fees paid to Cevalo. Instructor fees are not eligible for the prepayment discounts. Amounts paid are non-refundable.

Why is there a work requirement?

All members 8 and up are asked to perform at least 2 hours of volunteer work at Cevalo each month to help us care for the horses and our facilities and equipment. Not only is this an important part of learning true horsemanship, it's vital to Cevalo. Without everyone's help, Cevalo simply couldn't exist.

Do I have to pay by the month?

In general, yes. New riders can schedule an introductory lesson to get a feel for what it's like before they commit to a full month. For those who choose to continue, lesson fees are pro-rated during the first month, and then paid monthly thereafter.

We've adopted a monthly program for several reasons:

The number of students we can accommodate is limited by the number of horses we have available.
Knowing in advance how many students will be riding each week enables us to ensure that each of our horses will get the right amount of exercise.
Students progress much faster when they ride on a consistent basis.

Lesson fees are non-refundable. If you can't make it to your lesson, let your instructor know as soon as possible. Make-ups are offered as long as you give at least 24-hour notice or miss a lesson due to extenuating circumstances. Make-ups should be scheduled within 30 days of the missed lesson and MUST be taken in addition to your regularly-scheduled lesson. You may not apply accrued make-ups toward lesson fees.

Do you offer "drop-in" lessons?

At this time, we do not offer a drop-in program. If you have a work or travel schedule that makes it difficult to schedule a regular weekly lesson, contact us and we'll be happy to work with you to come up with a custom schedule.

What do students do during lessons?

Students spend a half-hour before lessons grooming and tacking their horses. Lessons last one hour and include warm up time and stretches, various exercises designed to improve balance and control, and (for intermediate and advanced riders) schooling over fences. Afterwards, students untack and take care of the horses' needs.

What riding styles do you teach? (English? Western? Dressage? Jumping?)

All Cevalo lessons are taught using English-style tack. Our head instructor, Diana Disney, is a former show jumper and 3-day eventer. For beginners, the focus is on the basics that apply to all disciplines--getting comfortable and learning how to work safely around horses and developing balance and control in the saddle. For more advanced riders, lessons include a combination of flat work (dressage exercises) and jumping. We typically school over fences ranging from 18" to 3'.

At Cevalo, the lessons and activities are tailored to our riders' interests and goals. Some students are eager to jump, others prefer to keep all four feet closer to the ground. Some students have a drive to compete and attend local shows, others prefer to ride just for fun and relaxation. Regardless, Cevalo offers an opportunity to grow as a rider and be part of a close-knit community of fellow horse-lovers.

Is there a weight limit?

Riding and helping out around the barn is great exercise and a fun way to get in shape. However, the reality is that we don't have school horses who are able to comfortably carry riders over about 185 lbs--and some are really only suitable for children or petite adults.

The actual amount of weight a horse can carry depends on a number of factors, including the horse's age and build, and the rider's experience and weight distribution. For us, what the horse says is more important than what the scale says. If a horse acts uncomfortable carrying a particular rider, they're too heavy in the saddle even if technically under the horse's weight limit. That same horse might be able to carry someone heavier without a problem if the rider has great balance and is totally in sync with the horse's movement.

We know that this is a sensitive subject, but it's important for the well-being of our horses and the safety of our riders that we take size and weight into account. Unfortunately, that means that we can't accommodate all riders and that some students won't have the opportunity to ride as many different horses.

If this is something you're concerned about, talk to us--we'll work with you to find a way you can learn and enjoy working with the horses.

What clothing and equipment do riders need?

Riding Helmet: Helmets are required for all riders. Cevalo has loaner helmets available for intro lessons, but continuing students need to have their own ASTM/SEI certified equestrian helmet. (Bike helmets do not offer adequate protection and are not permitted.) Our head instructor can assist with helmet fitting and offers helmets for sale through The Equine Clothesline.
Boots: Sturdy, close-toed shoes or boots with a 1" heel are required for all riders. Tall rubber English riding boots are an economical and practical choice for beginning riders. Our more experienced riders prefer paddock boots with half chaps or tall leather boots. For those just starting out, by all means feel free to wear your cowboy boots if you already have a pair!
Crops: Riders should get accustomed to carrying a short jump crop from the start and will need a longer dressage whip as they progress beyond the basics. Crops are used to reinforce leg and rein aids.
Gloves: Riding gloves are not required, but will help protect your hands and provide a good grip on the reins or leadrope. Work gloves are also recommended for when you're helping with chores around the stables.
Safety Vests: Safety vests (also known as body protectors) are popular with our students and required on the cross-country course. While they aren't a guarantee against getting hurt if you fall, they can help distribute the force of the impact and offer protection against solid objects like fence posts and hooves.
Clothing: Riders should wear clothing that doesn't restrict their movement and comfortable, long pants. Schooling tights or breeches are ideal and much easier on our saddles than jeans. Dressing in layers will ensure that you can stay comfortable as the day warms up or cools down.

How do I sign up for lessons?

To start lessons at Cevalo:

Complete the online registration form.
When contacted by one of our instructors, schedule and pay for an introductory lesson.
Print the Cevalo Liability Release and bring a signed copy with you for each participant. (There are also copies at the barn in case you forget or are unable to print the file.) Releases are required for all Cevalo students and volunteers.

After your first lesson, you'll need to:

Pay the membership fee to join Cevalo. The quarterly membership fees are $25 per rider or $50 per family (2 or more riders). Membership entitles you to access to the Cevalo facilities and participation in Cevalo events and activities. (Lesson and event fees are additional.)
Pay your instructor and horse fees for the remainder of the month. (Note that instructor fees are paid directly to your instructor and membership and horse fees are paid to Cevalo.) Going forward, payments are due on the 1st of the month.
Request membership in the Cevalo Yahoo Group to receive important updates and accouncements. Becoming a Cevalo Fan on Facebook and following @cevalo on Twitter will also help you keep up with what's going on.
Get your own ASTM/SEI certified equestrian helmet. (See What clothing and equipment do riders need for more information.)

Do you accept credit card payments?

We can accept credit card payments if you pay via PayPal. You don't even have to have a PayPal account! When you click through to PayPal from our website, simply click the Continue link under the "Don't have a PayPal account?" heading to the left of the log-in form. You'll be prompted for your credit card information to make a secure, one-time payment.

Are lesson fees tax deductible?

In general, only amounts over the value of the goods or services you recieve are tax-deductible when you make donations to a non-profit. In some cases, fees might be an allowable child care expense. For more information, consult your tax advisor.