Our lessons are available for individuals as young as 5 years old to any age for nearly all horsemanship stages, abilities and disabilities. All classes are tailored around each student’s individual capabilities and skill level. No prior horse experience is necessary, only a desire to learn and have fun!

We offer individual and group classes for children, adults, individuals with special needs and families. Our certified instructors teach a variety of classes that can accommodate the desires and needs of each individual.

• For those who want to learn to ride, we offer English and Western disciplines from beginner to advanced levels.
• For those who want to work with horses without riding them, we offer Horsemanship Groundwork and Unmounted/In-hand lessons.
• For those wanting to learn how to better move in harmony with their horse, we offer Vaulting, which is a form of gymnastics and dance ON horseback! Both recreational and competitive classes are available.

For those with special needs, we offer two program lines:

• Hippotherapy and
• Adaptive lessons in all disciplines with specially trained and certified instructors.

As we grow, we hope to add even more options!

Hippo is Greek in origin and means ‘horse.’ Hippotherapy is the use of the movement of the horse as a tool, in this case by a Physical or Occupational Therapist, to address:

• Impairments such as, the loss of flexibility or muscle weakness,
• Functional limitations, for example, the inability to walk
• Disabilities the above create in clients with neuromuscular dysfunction

During a session with a hippotherapy provider, the client is a passive rider. That means that someone else is controlling the movements of the horse while the client receives treatment.

We offer lessons at 2 different locations on Whidbey Island that allow for year round lessons.

• Central Whidbey [Greenbank]: We have a covered and lighted arena.
• North Whidbey [Oak Harbor]: We have an enclosed and lighted arena.

Each session has its own Lesson Registration Form that indicates what types of lessons, lesson dates/times, and locations will be offered. In general, most types of lessons are available at both arenas.

Absolutely yes! We are worth the drive and/or ferry ride!  We have students and volunteers who come from Edmonds, Sedro Wooley, Issaquah, Lake Stevens and beyond!  We are a unique program that truly provides as much hands on experience with the horses as possible. Not to mention we have a lot of fun in the process!

Lessons are offered in 6- to 8-week sessions in the Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Currently, we operate Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Please note that we are not necessarily at both arenas on the same day.

The Lesson Registration Form will provide specific information for each particular session. Of course, we operate rain or shine in our wonderful covered arenas.

We are registering students NOW for the next session.

Lesson sessions are usually 6 or 8 weeks long with classes meeting once a week. Private riding or In-hand lessons are 1 hour long and groups of 2 or more are 1.5 hours long. Vaulting lessons are 2 hours long. Both riding and vaulting lesson times include care and preparation of the horse before and after the training.  Hippotherapy sessions are generally 30, 45 or 60 minutes long depending on the stamina of the client.

Competitive vaulters must take 2 lessons per week and lessons often are held outside of the normally scheduled sessions. These dates and times are scheduled with the coach Miriam Burk.

Yes.  As much as we try to subsidize expenses through donations received, there still are other costs.

1. Every student is required to pay an annual $50.00 registration fee, which helps cover our administrative and insurance costs.
2. Riding and In-hand students are required to provide their own riding attire including long pants or breeches and riding boots with heel. An ASTM-SEI approved (dated within past 4 years) equestrian riding helmet is required for all lessons.
3. If you are vaulting competitively, you will need to join the AVA [American Vaulting Association]. Go to  www.americanvaulting.org for more information. You will also need to wear vaulting or a dance-type split sole shoe with no heel and  stretchy clothing, such as leggings or gymnastic pants with shirts that can be tucked in suitable for physical workouts. Vaulters do not wear helmets for safety reasons.
4. Additional costs may be required in order to attend competitions, pay for entry fees, performance costumes, transportation, horse and human lodging, coaching fees and more.

Yes! We are a member-operated, member-driven, and member-supported organization led by a volunteer Board of Directors. We offer Individual and Lifetime Memberships at $30 and $300 respectively.

You know what they say!  With membership, come privileges. Membership gives you priority registration for classes and voting privileges. We have Membership meetings in May & November where you will have a voice in how EqX is run. As we grow, being a member will give you other privileges yet to be announced.

We would encourage all students and their families and friends to become supporting members of EqX. And remember, we’re a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Corporation, so all your donations and membership fees are tax-deductible as allowable by law.

See our Members page for more information.