It’s a cold, wintery day. But at Times Square Riding Academy, there is fun to be had as horses trot around an indoor arena and riders lead them in jumps, taking lessons from academy owner Paula Crampton.
Crampton, 35, got her first pony when she was just four-years-old and has been competing for 24 years. Six years ago, she took over Bayridge Farm from her parents and renamed it Times Square. The changes didn’t end there.
In 2001, Crampton began what she calls a renovation and overhaul to improve the facility with her husband Les.
Improvements include a new entranceway to the barn, new heated viewing area to watch riders, a remodeled restroom, four new turn-out pastures and a brand-new outdoor riding arena.
The new riding arena enables one outdoor arena to be used by people who board horses at the facility and just want to ride, while the other arena is used for lessons.
The Cramptons offer English riding lessons at the academy, specifically, hunter/jumper lessons, which is the stadium jumping that is seen in Olympic equestrian competition.
Paula Crampton says Times Square Riding Academy has students of all ages in their family-oriented program, from six to 60. She enjoys teaching people and watching them succeed.
‘We make horse riding accessible to all walks of life, all groups of people. We’re not exclusive, we try to make it affordable for everyone,? said Crampton, who has eight school horses for people to use for lessons as part of their student fee, as well as other horses available to be leased. Times Square also transports horses for a reasonable fee.
Lesson fees are $130 per month, which includes a one hour lesson per week, with students coming a half-hour before the lesson and staying a half-hour after to care for their horse. Students are taught to groom, saddle and bridle the horse, as well as basic horse care.
Students have the opportunity to compete from beginner to advanced levels, however, Times Square also offers boarding and has people who keep their horses at the facility and don’t compete at all, riding strictly for their own enjoyment. This summer, Times Square Riding Academy will also offer one-week horse camps. From 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, students will attend, learning to care foTimes Square Riding Academyr horses, riding for two hours per day, and doing arts and crafts pertaining to horses.
4835 Oakwood Road, Ortonville. Details: (248) 969-0487