Equestrian Program FAQ

List of 9 frequently asked questions.

• Q. Does Fountain Valley School of Colorado attend shows that are show jumping or only hunter jumper?

  A. Our horse shows are always hunter and jumper. We will go to schooling shows in the Colorado area and hold a few at FVS.

• Q. Do you offer advanced lessons (higher jumps or more intense horsemanship) or are the riders put in the same class after school?

  A. The program is able to accommodate three levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced. First, riders warm up together on the flat doing basic skills. Then, riders at each level continue at their own pace and skill level. Sometimes intermediate and advanced students stay late to have more one-on-one work.

• Q. Do you have riding teams? Where do they compete?

  A. Yes, FVS fields a competitive Interscholastic Equestrian Association hunter jumper team. The English riders also compete in some A-rated shows in Colorado.
  
  The Western riding program focuses on training and education most of the year, but in the spring, more advanced riders compete in gymkhana. Western riders who wish to be involved in the FVS riding program and still pursue rodeo or other events outside of gymkhana may be allowed to do so, but only ensuring it does not interfere with the FVS programming and schedule of events. Those students who wish to not be involved in the riding program and compete must go through the independent sport process/permissions for one of the three seasons.  

• Q. Can we bring our own horse but have it out to pasture instead of stabled?

  A. Yes. You can bring your own horse to the FVS campus in Colorado, and you have three stabling options: pasture, pen and shed, or a stall and run in the "Boarder Barn." There are different prices for each option.

• Q. Is the FVS equestrian program offered year round?

  A. The program is offered year round in three seasons, fall, winter and spring. You may choose to ride one season or all three. Participation in the riding program for one season fulfills the FVS physical education requirement.

• Q. Can my child participate in another sport while also riding at Foutain Valley School of Colorado?

  A. The program meets the FVS physical education requirement at FVS. Students can participate in riding as well as another sport as long as they are able to meet the demands of both programs.

• Q. How often does the equestrian program meet? How many lessons a week?  How many riders in a lesson? How long is the normal lesson?

  A. Like other sports at Fountain Valley School of Colorado, the Western and English Riding programs meet five times a week, riding from 3:30-5:15 p.m. Class sizes are different each season.

• Q. Are the students able to check the horses out on the weekend for some trail riding or some fun riding? How does this differ if you own a horse or the student uses one of the School horses?

  A. The School horses work very hard—five days a week plus Interscholastic Equestrian Association team practice on Saturday or Sunday. Unless we have horses that are not being used in the program, we let them rest on the weekend. Students may ride their own horses on the weekend with supervision.

• Q. Are there scholarships available for the equestrian program at Fountain Valley School of Colorado?

  A. Not in the traditional sense. We offer one "scholarship" per season to cover the monthly riding charge only. This is a one-time award and is most likely to go to someone in need who wants to experience the riding program.