Clovermeade Ponies and Chestnut Ridge Training are proud to offer a training program for children seeking to advance their equestrian journey.
Learning to ride is about so much more than time spent in the saddle. Our boutique-style program is intentionally small, allowing us to provide each rider with individualized instruction, thoughtfully matched ponies, and a clear path for growth.
We welcome riders at the beginning of their equestrian journey and strive to develop them into confident, capable horsemen. Along the way, students learn proper riding technique, horsemanship, responsibility, and the value of hard work while becoming part of a supportive team.
For riders who discover a passion for competition, we offer a pathway into the hunter/jumper show world, with opportunities to develop alongside our ponies/horses, and eventually to higher levels of competition.
Learning to ride is about so much more than time spent in the saddle. Our boutique-style program is intentionally small, allowing us to provide each rider with individualized instruction, thoughtfully matched ponies, and a clear path for growth.
We welcome riders at the beginning of their equestrian journey and strive to develop them into confident, capable horsemen. Along the way, students learn proper riding technique, horsemanship, responsibility, and the value of hard work while becoming part of a supportive team.
For riders who discover a passion for competition, we offer a pathway into the hunter/jumper show world, with opportunities to develop alongside our ponies/horses, and eventually to higher levels of competition.
Our goals are simple:
DEVELOP THE RIDER
DEVELOP THE HORSE
DEVELOP THE PARTNERSHIP
Program levels
We offer three tiers within our program to meet the needs of riders and our ponies as they advance in their equestrian journey:
We offer three tiers within our program to meet the needs of riders and our ponies as they advance in their equestrian journey:
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Tier 1: Discover
Discover the foundations of riding and horsemanship while building confidence, balance, and effective communication with your horse. This level provides the skills and knowledge needed to progress in your riding confidently. |
Tier 2: Develop
Build greater independence, responsibility, and feel as a rider while developing a deeper understanding of your horse. As riders progress, leasing may become a natural next step, offering more opportunities to build consistency, strengthen the partnership between horse and rider, and take greater ownership of their development. Riders may also have the opportunity to explore the local show experience, gaining confidence while learning about show preparation, barn etiquette, and participating in a supportive, low-pressure environment. |
Tier 3: Distinguish
For riders committed to developing themselves as competitive athletes. Riders refine their skills, horsemanship, and independence while gaining opportunities to ride and show training ponies as the trainer finds fitting. This level focuses on developing the confidence, polish, and knowledge that allow a rider to distinguish themselves both in and out of the show ring. |
Fall Schedule & Pricing
New students can join anytime without committing to a full session.
Pricing
New students can join anytime without committing to a full session.
- 10-Week Fall 2026 Session: Starting October 1, 2026 and ending December 3, 2026
- Lesson Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Minimum Age: 4
- All children will be assessed during their first lesson to ensure that they have the needed skills to follow instruction and safely be around ponies
- All children will be assessed during their first lesson to ensure that they have the needed skills to follow instruction and safely be around ponies
Pricing
- Tier 1 (Discover)
- Standard: One 30-minute private lesson per week $500
- Accellerated: Two 30-minute private lessons per week $950
- Individual/Additional lessons: $50 per 30-minute private lesson
- Tier 2 (Develop) & Tier 3 (Distinguish)
- Semi-Private Lessons (2-3 riders)
- Standard: One 60-minute lesson per week $600
- Accellerated: Two 60-minute lessons per week $1150
- Private Lessons
- Standard: One 60-minute lesson per week $750
- Accellerated: Two 60-minute lessons per week $1450
- Individual/Additional lessons:
- Semi-private 60-minute lesson: $60
- Semi-private 60-minute lesson: $75
- Semi-Private Lessons (2-3 riders)
Our Ponies
Our program is thoughtfully designed around the unique strengths and needs of both our riders and our ponies. Most of our lesson ponies were proudly bred and raised right here by us. This program provides a meaningful opportunity for them to stay active, engaged, and cherished as they transition into later stages of their careers.
What truly sets us apart is the exceptional quality and care of our equine partners. To ensure our ponies stay happy, sound, and energetic, we strictly limit their workload—no lesson pony is ridden for more than 4 hours per week.
Our ponies are matched carefully for each rider to ensure that we provide:
Our program is thoughtfully designed around the unique strengths and needs of both our riders and our ponies. Most of our lesson ponies were proudly bred and raised right here by us. This program provides a meaningful opportunity for them to stay active, engaged, and cherished as they transition into later stages of their careers.
What truly sets us apart is the exceptional quality and care of our equine partners. To ensure our ponies stay happy, sound, and energetic, we strictly limit their workload—no lesson pony is ridden for more than 4 hours per week.
Our ponies are matched carefully for each rider to ensure that we provide:
- Experienced Mentors for Beginners: For riders early in their journey, we rely on our experienced, older ponies who have stepped down from top-level hunter divisions. These seasoned veterans bring invaluable knowledge, patience, and confidence to developing riders as they learn the ropes.
- Growth & Partnership for Advanced Riders: For more advanced riders, we offer unique opportunities to work with our talented younger ponies. Rider and pony learn and develop side-by-side, mastering the skills required to be competitive at higher levels of the sport.
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Our Trainers
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Chesney Tillemans
Born into a family of hunter-jumper trainers who operated a top pony breeding program, Chesney has spent her life in the sport, honing her craft alongside leading professionals like Jimmy Torano and Kyla Makhloghi. Chesney brings experience in teaching riders of all levels, managing training and lesson programs, and preparing horses and riders for competition at local and A-rated shows. Through her training program, Chestnut Ridge, she combines generations of pony knowledge with a thoughtful, individualized approach to developing both horses and riders. |
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Mary Kathryn Glenn
Dedicated to helping young riders build confidence and strong horsemanship skills, Mary Kathryn creates a supportive, encouraging environment where students learn at their own pace. Having grown up in a non-equestrian family, she worked to fund her own riding and horse ownership, and is passionate about making the sport more accessible. She offers beginner-friendly lessons focused on building a solid foundation while making every ride safe, fun, and rewarding—helping each rider grow both in and out of the saddle. |
Our Partnership with Chesnut Ridge Training
Our relationship with Chesney Tillemans spans several years of close collaboration. Over that time, she has played an integral role in our family's equestrian journey—training several of our ponies and mentoring a dedicated young rider from the ground up. Having witnessed firsthand her gift for bringing out the best in both young horses and developing riders, partnering with Chesney to share these programs with riders in our area through her Chestnut Ridge program was a natural next step.
Our relationship with Chesney Tillemans spans several years of close collaboration. Over that time, she has played an integral role in our family's equestrian journey—training several of our ponies and mentoring a dedicated young rider from the ground up. Having witnessed firsthand her gift for bringing out the best in both young horses and developing riders, partnering with Chesney to share these programs with riders in our area through her Chestnut Ridge program was a natural next step.