Memphis and Germantown have long been centers for horseback enthusiasts. The Germantown Charity Horse Show is a huge event every year and brings in a lot of money for local charities. It’s one of the big society yearly events for the whole of Shelby County. Middle and Western Tennessee have long been the centers for horse breeding in the state. It was here that the Tennessee Walking Horse came into being. Breeding horses is big business in this area of the country. If you want to learn how to ride well or have children who you want to learn this sport, you’re in luck. West Tennessee has some of the best teachers in the country. These are working horse farms, breeding ranches and professionals. One of our locals, Melanie Smith, from Germantown, was a bronze medallist in the Olympics in the 1980s. She was named the United States Olympic Committee Sportswoman of the Year after winning the World Cup Final in 1982. It’s important to find the right teacher for your purposes. Decide what the riding goals are–basics, serious recreation, or competitive riding. That’s the most important factor in the choice of a good instructor.
http://www.hillsidestables.com/
Hillside Stables is located in Byhalia, MS, just a few miles from the Memphis/ Mississippi line. This stable offers lessons to ages 6-16 this year, and it is a full service barn that has boarding services as well. They teach basic skills and help experienced riders gain new skills. Care of horses, plus help with barn chores are part of this camping experience. The summer camps are limited to 16 riders per session, and lessons are in groups of 4. The camp is Monday through Friday and hours are from 9 a.m. to 2 in the afternoon. The cost is $275 per week. It is obviously a day camp and suitable for people in Memphis or locales nearby. Bring lunches every day for the riders. Lessons begin May 28th and run all through the month of June, so sign up now. There’s a signup form right on the web site and directions to get to the farm. Contact for this farm is 901-857-7500
http://www.shadycreekfarm.com/
Shady Creek Ranch is located in the beautiful Eads area north of Memphis. They provide instruction at all levels of riding, in all sorts of venues–trail, clinics, local riding shows, and group and private lessons. Camp begins June 12th and runs weeklong sessions through July. Each session has concentration for specific age and skill levels. They specialize in teaching the English style of riding and in hunter/jumper lessons. At the end of sessions, parents will attend a class horse show to see the progress of their children. Their prices aren’t listed on this web site, so contact them to speak more and ask questions.
11081 Shady Lane
Eads, TN
(901) 854-0040 [email protected]
http://www.horsecrazyfarms.com/
Horse Crazy stresses safe, fun riding in both Western and English traditions. It’s located in northeast Shelby County right next to Memphis. The nice thing about this stable is that they also have a free monthly horsemanship clinic where they teach “classroom topics” like training and showing, horse breeds, and horse care and diseases. Now the summer camps are already booked, but private lessons are still available. All students sign up for a riding evaluation lesson to ascertain what level of teaching is needed. This costs $50. Thereafter, lessons will last 50 minutes, with 40 minutes for tacking and untacking your horse. The cost is $30 per lesson and must be paid monthly. They’re having competitive horse shows for student involvement every six weeks. This is great training for people who want to eventually ride competition or to show their own horses. At noon every first Saturday of the month they’ll hold the free Clinics. Everyone must sign a liability release form from the web site. Call them if you need more clarification on what to do.
1766 Berryhill Road
Cordova TN, 38016
(901) 596-6021
