UA Equestrian Team to Offer Summer Riding Lessons, Camp

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama Equestrian Team invites young equestrians to participate in either an elite camp or horse riding lessons this summer.

An Elite Equitation Prep Camp will run from Monday, June 23 to Friday, June 27. The camp will give riders a glimpse of what it’s like to compete as a college hunt-seat equestrian team member. The camp is open to female riders from 16 to 18 who are competing consistently at fence heights of 2 feet, 6 inches or higher.

In addition to riding lessons that cover both IHSA and NCEA competition formats, campers will experience an intense week of classroom instruction, athletic rider training, video performance reviews and a mock competition at week’s end. The program includes housing in UA residence halls, three daily meals from campus dining, transportation to and from the equestrian facility and the lease of UA horses and equipment for the duration of the camp.

Tuition for the camp is $1,500, with a $500 deposit due by Monday, June 9. Remaining space is extremely limited.

Throughout June and July, UA Equestrian Team coach Heather McCall will also teach hunt seat riding lessons to equestrians ages 12 and older. The hour-long lessons will be taught twice per week in three-week sessions for beginning and advanced level riders. Lessons will be progressive and goal oriented.

Beginner lessons are suitable for riders who possess at least one year of riding experience at the walk and trot and are comfortable with working toward the canter. Advanced lessons are designed for riders who can safely walk, trot and canter in a group and have competed at fence heights of 2 feet, 6 inches and higher. Riders may take lessons on their own horses for $300 a session or participate on a university-owned horse for a cost of $450 a session.

The UA equestrian facility, which has a covered arena for the comfort of horses and riders, is eight miles from campus at Russell Lee Farm, 5500 Culver Road, in Tuscaloosa.

For more registration and further information on these and other summer events hosted by the UA Equestrian Team, see http://urec.sa.ua.edu/scequestrian.cfm.