The program which sets El Camino Ranch above and beyond other ranches is our finely tuned RIDING ACADEMY. We began giving lessons occasionally back in 1989. Since that time we have added a team of instructors, and a team of lesson horses ( twelve calm, easy to handle, well trained and dependable Arabians, Half Arabians, and a few horses of other breeds), a curriculum of instruction, a schedule book full of lessons, birthday parties, Girl Scout activities, and other educational projects, along with many dedicated parents and individuals who make the weekly trek to El Camino. These are the back bone of this progressive program. We teach students, from age 5 years up to 99 years to tack up a horse, to mount a horse, to balance on the back of the horse, and to walk, trot, and canter the Hunt Seat horses; and to walk, jog, and lope the Western mounts. As the student advances they may learn to ride a Saddle Seat horse, or to drive a pony in a cart. Our tiniest students learn to groom a horse with our four Miniature Horses. A few more advanced students learn to jump a horse over cross rails, and perhaps up to three feet. Anything we can do SAFELY, we will do. In the summer, we add 9 or 10 weeks of Day Camp with Horses, and during December and January, we conduct one to three weeks of Day Camp with Horses. Each year the Riding Academy Director and her instructors come up with new and exciting games to play with horses, and equine crafts to work on. There is never a dull moment! If your child tells you he/she is bored, bring them to El Camino. We don’t have any bored students. And they learn the art of caring for an animal, through disciplined lessons that they find just “so much fun!” The most advanced students who want to show, and who own a horse, look forward to the time when they can move to the Amateur Barn, and show with the other Junior and Adult Riders. Call us for an Orientation Appointment to learn more and sign up for the program.