The Academy at Fox & Oak Farm

Beginner Horse Riding Lessons in Ottawa

The Academy at Fox & Oak Farm is a boutique, high-quality foundational program designed for young riders and beginners starting horse riding lessons near Ottawa, within a safe, professional, and high-performance training environment.

Led by NCCP Certified High Performance Coach Taylor Brooks and her accomplished team, the Academy combines exceptional instruction with quality ponies to develop confident, capable riders learning the fundamentals of horseback riding.

Through consistent coaching and hands-on horsemanship education, students build strong hunter/jumper fundamentals while following a clear developmental pathway from beginner riding lessons to competition-level equestrian sport.

Offered through a membership-based model, the Academy is intentionally limited to a maximum number of 8 riders each session to ensure individualized attention, consistent scheduling, and the highest standard of care and instruction for students taking horse riding lessons in the Ottawa area.

Beginner Riding Lesson Packages

$800 membership renewable every 3 month session then choose one of the following lesson packages which is billed monthly.

2 semi-private per week

$800
+hst

1 semi-private + 1 private per week

$1,000
+hst

2 private lessons per week

$1,350
+hst

Our Academy Horses

Click to read their stories.

Poppy

Poppy is our locally famous, show-ring superstar - the seasoned veteran who has carried countless young riders to Short Stirrup and Pony Division championships.

She's a true jumping expert with an uphill and automatic lead changes.

Poppy knows her job, loves her job and knows she looks good doing it!

Cassie

Cassie is our beginner specialist! With the patience of a saint and a love for tiny humans, she's the perfect partner for brand-new riders.

Cassie is parent approved and the safest of them all. She adores grooming sessions, slow and steady trotting, and providing brand new beginners the most confident start right from the first ride.

Maddie

Maddie is the ideal blend of steady and spirited-safe enough for brand-new riders, but full of personality that keeps every lesson fun.

Maddie teaches kids how to steer, ride with confidence, and believe in themselves. She's especially talented at helping beginners learn to canter, offering a smooth, and reliable stride.

Maddie loves to participate in pony games and is the most comfortable to ride bareback.

Phoebe

A true redhead with plenty of personality, she's sweet and kind on the ground and loves nothing more than receiving treats from her favourite kids.

In the saddle, she's light, nimble, and a fancy little mover. Phoebe shines brightest with patient riders who enjoy building a thoughtful partnership.

When you take your time with her, she gives you her whole heart.

Zoey

Zoey has a resume a mile long, from show hunters to eventing and guiding countless riders through their very first Bronze competitions.

She's the definition of reliable - relaxed, slow, and wonderfully easy to ride.

Zoey loves to jump and is famous for her incredibly smooth canter that makes riders feel balanced, making her the ultimate confidence builder over fences.

Athena

Athena brings a wealth of experience in the jumper ring and a heart ready for her next chapter.

She can share her knowledge with brand-new riders or help intermediates progress confidently over fences.

Athena is kind, steady, and wonderfully generous - she loves long hacks, quiet moments, and being brushed and fussed over for hours. With her, riders learn not just skills, but partnership.

Clementine

Clementine is our miniature pony with a giant personality and an even bigger fan club.

Clementine is wonderfully safe for children to play with and has visited daycares, schools, and nursing homes to bring smiles to everyone she meets.

She's sweet, gentle, and endlessly charming - the pony who makes every day at Fox & Oak feel a little brighter.