Learn English in the morning, ride fantastic horses in the afternoon, and enjoy group activities in the evening while putting your new vocabulary into practice. Only we offer this combination! The program is specially tailored to young guests between the ages of 10 and 19. Students are divided into different English classes and riding groups according to their level.

You can choose from three different riding packages. English and horse riding is suitable for young people who have advanced riding skills and would like to start jumping. For the two jumping courses, participants must already have jumping experience. The intensive jumping course is run by the manager, Declan McGarry, himself. The focus of all three programs is on jumping, and once a week, if riding skills are sufficient, there is also a trail ride.

Accommodation is available either at the riding center in shared rooms or with local host families.

Itinerary

Program schedule (Example of a typical day)
9:30 -12:00: English lessons
12:30-14:00: Lunch with the group in the clubhouse
14:00-17:00: Riding (depending on skills, jumping, riding out etc.) 
18:00: Dinner
20:00: Evening activities 
Saturday: Group excursion to Sligo followed by a barbecue
Sunday: Show jumping competition

The Stable
The riding stable is located near Sligo, about 10 minutes by car from the beaches of Coney Island. Declan McGarry has been running the business for many years. He himself has won a silver medal for Ireland in show jumping. Around 70 horses of different temperaments and breeds live at farm . From beginners to advanced riders, there is a suitable horse for everyone. It gets quite lively here in summer! There is a large indoor arena (55 x 30 m), two outdoor riding arenas and 3 cross-country courses.  The riding program always takes place 5 days a week for 3 hours each. In addition to lessons and rides (saddle strength and trail experience are essential), the program also includes independent preparation of the horse (grooming, saddling, etc.). After a trial ride on the first day, the rider are divided into different courses according to their level.
Incidentally, the area in which stable is located is one of the longest populated places in Ireland. There are numerous historic graves and burial chambers, some of which are 5,500 years old!

English and riding 
This package is suitable for young people who have a basic knowledge of all gaits and would like to improve their riding skills. On safe horses and ponies, they will consolidate their aids and seat. The program also includes a trail ride or two and perhaps the first jumps in the arena. The safe handling and care of the horses is also practiced. The course is intended for all young people who have no previous jumping experience, from advanced beginners upwards.

Jumping course
As the name suggests, it's all about jumping. It is therefore an advantage if you have already ridden your first jumps up to approx. 70cm, because it's straight down to business! Obstacles up to approx. 90cm are jumped on the track and in the arena.

Intensive jumping course
Good jumping experience is required for this course. The program is expressly aimed at young people with competition ambitions who already jump safely over jumps of at least 1m.

English lessons
The Sligo Riding Center has been a specialist in English and riding for young people for many years. The young people receive language lessons in the Key Institute, directly at the riding center. The participatants receive lessons 5 days a week for 3 hours each. After a first test, participants are placed in appropriate courses (depending on their level). The Key Institute is recognized by the Irish Department of Education and all teachers have the T.E.F.L., which qualifies them to teach English as a foreign language.

That's all included:
15 hours of English lessons per week at the Key Institute.
3 hours of riding per day on 5 riding days 
5 x organized evening program (e.g. disco, barbecue, cinema, surfing etc.) per week
Accommodation and full board
Transfer from/to Dublin Airport and assistance with check-in

Accomodation
The riding center has accommodation for a total of 40 students. They are looked after by 2 supervisors who also live in the riding center. These are shared rooms with a bathroom or shower, which are shared with international classmates.

Accommodation in host families is also available:
The host families are all personally known to the operator of the riding facility and have been hosting young people for years. All host families are ed by the Key Institute for their friendliness and the comfort of their home to ensure a pleasant experience for all. Each host family has 2 or 3 young people with different mother tongues. There are never 2 young people with the same language in a host family. The host families are located in town Sligo, in village Strandhill and near the Key Institute. Host family details will be emailed to you 4 weeks before departure. Living with a family makes it easier and quicker to get to know the locals and countryside , which is known for its friendliness. Accommodation in a host family is suitable for confident teenagers, including teenagers with a good command of English.

Saddle & Tack: English. Please bring a riding helmet (compulsory!) and boots/chaps as well as a rucksack and writing materials.

Experience: Very good riding skills are absolutely necessary for the show jumping program, for the "normal" show jumping course first jumping experience is required, for "intensive show jumping" ideally also competition experience. "Learn to ride & English" is also suitable for young people with less experience. They should, however, already be confident enough.

Horses: Various Irish sport horses, Connemaras, Welsh ponies and crossbreeds.