Riding Lessons

Riding lessons are the center piece of the services offered at Gusty Wind Acres Riding School. Lesson have been offered on this premises since 1969. Over the years the facility has grown and modernized. The barn originally had 4 stalls and was located in Salem Township, Pennsylvania (30 miles east of Pittsburgh, PA). Today the facility has expanded to include 34 stalls, 3 outdoor arenas (including 1 large jumping ring and a full size Dressage ring), a large indoor arena. We also have an indoor arena and over 100 acres of land.

The riding lessons are designed for students who are beginners all the way up through advanced riders. Dressage, Hunter and Eventing are taught. School horses are available and students who own horses are encouraged to take lessons on their own horses. The lessons are systematic with the instructor insuring that the students have mastered the basic concepts before proceeding to more advanced skills. Safety is emphasized. All riders are required to wear approved riding helmets and safe footwear. In addition The school horses are well trained and the instructors are conservative. However none of that slows down the fun. We all enjoy participating in horse shows, camps, barn, and trail rides. In addition if a student decides to buy a horse the instructors are willing to help the student choose an appropriate horse. The students can board the new horse at the facility or bring in horses of their own.

So give us a call or drop us an email if you are interested in joining in on the riding fun at Gusty Wind Acres Riding School! Gift certificates are also available.

Gusty Wind Acres 2011 Hunter Shows

Dates: June 11, July 9,  July 23 Judge: A. Crelli

Pre-entry by phone (724) 668-2591, mail, or email (gustywindacres@yahoo.com) by 9 pm two days before the show.

Pre-entry fees 3 class division $21; 4 class division $28 or $8/class Post-entry fees; 3 class division $27; 4 class division $36; or $10/class Stabling is limited: $20/day, day starts at 7 AM; proof of a nasal strangles vaccine given within one year is required for stabling. Current year’s Negative Coggin’s test is required for all horses brought onto the show grounds. Schooling in top ring until 8:45 AM; in bottom ring until 11:15 AM. $5 schooling fee for each horse and rider combination. All participants must register with the management before the rider mounts.

ASTM approved helmets & riding boots are required to be worn and fastened whenever any rider is mounted. Schooling Helmets, half chaps & paddock boots are permitted; dress is casual.

Awards: 5 ribbons/class; Champion and Reserve Ribbons awarded for each division that has 3 or more entries/class. Points: 1^st=5; 2^nd =3; 3^rd=2; 4^th=1. Year end awards for each division that has three or more riders (trophies & prizes). Points only count if three or more people are in the class. Classes with insufficient entries may be cancelled or combined at management’s discretion.

Top Ring: 9:00 AM
1. Costume Class	Done at a walk riding helmets and boots required.
2. Lead line
3. Lead Line Trail
4. Walking Trail 5. Walk Trot 6. Walk Trot Equitation 7. Walk Trot Individual Canter	Beginning Rider Division: classes 4,5,6,7 Open to all riders.
8. Family & Friends WT	May have 2 or more members in each group. Judged as a group.
9. Trotting Trail 10. Walk Trot 11. Walk Trot Individual Canter 12. Walk Trot Hunter Hack 12”	Beginning Horse Division: classes 9,10,11,12 Open to all riders. Class 12: WT Hunter Hack: riders walk and trot in a group and then jump two 12” cross bars individually.
13. Introductory Hunter 18” Cross Bars 14. Introductory Hunter 18” Real Jumps 15. Introductory Hunter Handy Hunter 18” 16. Hunter u/s WTC	Introductory Hunter: classes 13,14,15,16 Class 15 will include some hunter fences.. Class 16 is an under saddle class that includes group canters.
Bottom Ring starts not before 11:30 AM
17. English Pleasure	English Pleasure Division: 17,21,25
18. Hopeful Hunter o/f 2’ 19. Hopeful Hunter o/f 2’ 20. Hopeful Hunter u/s	Hopeful Hunter Division: classes 18,19,20. Includes typical hunter fences in classes 19 & 20 maximum of 2 feet.
21. Road Hack	May include extended trot.
22. Special Hunter 2’3” 23. Special Hunter 2’3” 24. Special Hunter u/s	Special Hunter Division: classes 22,23,24. Includes typical hunter fences in classes 22 & 23 maximum of 2’3”.
25. Bridle Path Pleasure	May include hand gallop.
26. Hunter Division o/f 2’6” 27. Hunter o/f 2’6 28. Hunter u/s	Hunter Division: classes 26,27,28. Includes typical hunter fences in classes 26 & 27 maximum of 2’6”.