Riding FAQs

List of 7 items.

Do the students care for the horses?

We have a professional staff that cares for the horses’ basic needs including stall cleaning, feeding, and medical care. The girls groom and tack up their own horses for lessons and care for them after their ride. All of the students in the Riding Program work to care for our beautiful facility and turn out the horses in the evenings.
How big is the barn?

We have 40 stalls and there are approximately 40 horses on the property at any given time. Generally, Chatham Hall offers 25–30 School-owned horses of all levels available for students to use in lessons and on independent rides.
How many students are in each lesson?

Typically lesson groups are around 4-6 riders and fluctuate each day based on what a lesson is focusing on and each individual rider's goals. There is also the opportunity to take one or two private lessons each week, these will usually take place during the academic day.
How often can I ride?

The Riding Program operates in tandem with the Chatham Hall Athletics Program. Students in the Riding Program meet Monday-Friday from 4:00-6:00 p.m. There are four days of lessons and one day dedicated to working out and horsemanship lessons. Riders in their first season riding at Chatham Hall will ride three days a week and have their fourth riding day dedicated to learning about horsemanship and how we do things here.
Where would I be riding?

Chatham Hall has two riding arenas, an outdoor ring and the indoor Mars Arena. We also have a permanent Hunter Trial course and a field dedicated to riding. Often lessons are held in one of these fields to make use of the uneven terrain to help develop the riders' position and controls. As an equestrian boarding school, our Riding Program is woven into every aspect of School life, and that includes making use of our campus!
What are the fees for riding and showing?

Riding fees are billed home on a monthly basis. When we participate in a show off campus, all show related fees are paid up front by the school and then billed to the student’s account. Typical fees include entry fees, shipping fees, hotel, braiding, medications, and training. For more information, please contact the director of riding.
Is there financial aid available to cover riding costs?

There is no direct aid, but we do offer the girls a work/study program in which they assist the stable manager in return for credit toward their riding fees. Interested students should contact the director of Riding at the beginning of each semester to apply for a position. This program is only open to students in at least their second semester at Chatham Hall and in good academic standing.

List of 5 items.

What are the veterinarian & farrier arrangements for the horses?

The Chatham Animal Clinic is located on Pruden St., about a quarter mile from campus. The Clinic's Dr. Natalie Baker and Dr. Paul Erwin are available 24 hours a day for emergencies and are frequently on campus for routine care. We employ a Certified Journeyman Farrier, David Tuggle, who comes to Chatham Hall every week and is on-call for emergencies.
What equipment do I need?

All horses come equipped with their own tack. Riders need to only own an ASTM approved helmet, paddock boots & half chaps, and breeches. Riders who board their own horses must supply all equipment needed for their care. If you are uncertain as to what to bring please contact the Riding faculty.
What health records do I need before I bring my horse to school?

The boarding contract goes into detail about the vaccinations needed before bringing a horse onto campus. Please contact the Barn Manager Emma Lane for further information.
What kind of turn out is available for privately owned horses?

We have three large fields and seven smaller paddocks available for turn out. When a horse arrives, we ascertain its previous turn out history and work with the owner to decide which turn out situation will be the best for that individual horse. Most privately owned horses are turned out in the smaller paddocks alone or with one companion. Most horses are turned out every night, weather permitting. If there is an unusual turn out need, we will work with the owner to do what is best for the individual horse.
Can a student participate in riding and another athletic team?

There is the option for a student to play a team sport and take private per diem lessons at the same time. In this case, students would head to their team sport during the athletic period from 4:00-6:00 p.m. each afternoon and schedule private lessons with the director of riding during a gap in their academic day. Interested students can reach out in the first weeks of the semester to set this up.