256 S. Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge, NJ • 908 766-5955

General information
Lord Stirling Stable offers a full complement of riding activities for riders of most ages and abilities. The Stable is located at 256 South Maple Avenue in Basking Ridge, and the office is open daily from 9am to 5pm or may be reached by calling 908 766-5955. Riders may also call the activity hotline at 908 766-5955 ext. 32. All riders are required to wear an ASTM/SEI approved riding helmet and shoes or boots with hard, smooth soles and a moderate and definite heel. The “sneaker” type riding shoe is also approved. Helmets and boots may be rented for $3 each. All riders must be at least 9 years of age and under 240 pounds. Somerset County residents are required to show some proof of residency.

Spring Open House
June is New Jersey’s Month of the Horse! Celebrate at Lord Stirling Stable on Sunday, June 13 from 10am - 4pm. Stroll through our Open House for information about the many events and activities held at the Stable throughout the year. Then stop by the indoor arena to see our horses and riders in friendly competition at the Friends of Lord Stirling Stable Adult Horse Show. Admission and parking are free for both events, and FREE pony rides will be offered. For more information and directions, call the stable at 908 766-5955.

Introductory Rides
Introductory Rides are offered to people who are new to horseback riding or have never ridden English. Rides will be held on May 16; June 6; July 11 & 25; August 8 (special Western Introductory Ride) and 29; September 4; and October 10, 2010. Each ride begins at 10am with a mini-lesson followed by a one hour trail ride led by one of our certified Instructors. Participants between the ages of 9 and 12 years must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Registration must be done in person and begins two weeks before each ride. The fee is $32 for Somerset County residents and $40 for non-residents. Approved riding helmets and boots are required and available for rental.

Lead Line Pony Rides
Lead Line is the perfect way to introduce children to riding. Parents or legal guardians may rent a pony or small, gentle horse for a half hour and lead their child(ren) around the outdoor pony ring or the covered Pony Pavilion. A stableworker will demonstrate the proper and simple technique for leading the pony/horse. Children must be old enough to sit up and hold onto the saddle without assistance. An approved riding helmet is required and included with the program fee. Lead Line is available daily; please call for hours. The cost is $10.00 for Somerset County residents and $12.00 for out-of-county residents on weekdays; and $11.00 and $13.00, respectively, on weekends. Books of ten rides and gift certificates are available.

Pony Parties
An unforgettable way to celebrate a birthday or other special occasion is unbelievably simple with a Lord Stirling Stable Pony Party! Our two-hour package includes the use of two ponies for the first 45 minutes, plus a staff member to provide, supervise, and remove the ponies at the appropriate times. Adults from the party lead the ponies. Guests spend the remaining time in the climate-controlled party room, where two tables with chairs have been set up; a third table holds your gifts, food, etc. An empty pony piñata is supplied for you to fill with your own goodies. The fee is $175 for Somerset County residents and $250 for out-of-county residents. Inflatable Pin the Tail on the Donkey, ring toss, horse shoes, and other children’s games are available to rent for $10 each. Pony-themed party favors, invitations, paper goods, and special souvenirs (appropriate for girls or boys) are available for purchase. Call or stop by the stable at least two weeks prior to the desired date to make your reservation! Pony Parties are available seven days a week. There is a maximum of 30 people (adults and children combined) allowed in the party room.

Horse Driving Trial & Combined Test - This event has been caancelled.
The Horse Driving Trial & Combined Test will be held on April 24, 2010. The competition begins with the formal elegance of Dressage, which is a pre-determined test performed in a set area where horses must show a willingness to go forward with energy and grace. In the second phase, drivers will complete a cones course along an intricate route, where precision and speed are essential. The final phase is the cross-country Marathon course, which challenges the drivers’ judgment and skills and the horses’ agility and fitness. This event is co-sponsored with the Friends of Lord Stirling Stable. For more information, please call the Stable office.

Family Fun Day
One of the largest, longest-running, and free community events offered on the grounds of Lord Stirling Stable, the 27th Annual Family Fun Day is scheduled for May 2, 2010 from 8am to 4pm. Children (ages 12 and under) may enjoy rides on a pony or small, gentle horse. The whole family can jump into a tractor-pulled haywagon and take a ride along some of the 18 miles of equestrian trails. The free pony rides and hayrides are offered from 10am-12pm and again from 1pm–3pm. The festival atmosphere of the day is enhanced by child-friendly arcade games, face painting, and other activities. Local vendors and organizations will be on hand distributing information, performing demonstrations, and offering goods for purchase. Equestrian students hope you’ll cheer for them as they play gymkhana-style games on horseback for fun and ribbons. The Friends of Lord Stirling Stable co-sponsors of this event, offering food, beverages, and clothing and gift items for sale. For more information, please call the Stable office.

Summer Riding Lessons
English style riding lessons are offered from beginner through advanced levels for juniors and adults. Drill team, trail, jumping, and various specialized flat classes are also offered. Sixty minute lessons are offered once a week for 10 consecutive weeks. Juniors also have the option of riding twice a week for five weeks, and adults may choose to register for a special five week session. Summer Workshops and Mini Workshops are available, as well. Lessons begin Monday, June 21 and end Saturday, August 28, 2010.

Program registration begins at 8am on Saturday, June 12 on-line and in the Stable office, where walk-in registrations will be accepted until 3:30pm. On-line registrations will continue to be accepted, space permitting, through midnight, Monday, June 14. Registration after that date must be done in person in the Stable office. Riders who wish to pay by cash or check or who are enrolling for the very first time are also required to register in person.

The schedule of classes will be available one week prior to the opening registration day. Junior riders must be at least 9 years old at the time of enrollment. Riders must weigh less than 240 pounds for flat classes and less than 225 pounds for classes over fences. New students with riding experience need to be evaluated for a classification card prior to the registration date; please call the stable office for more information. There is a $10 fee for testing. Lesson fees for ten 1-hour classes are:

Out-of-county residents have the option of purchasing a Non-County I.D. Card for $150 at the stable office. Each Non-County I.D. Card entitles one person to discounted lesson fees for one year.

Summer Workshops
Workshops for junior riders (ages 9-17) are conducted from 8:30am until 1:15pm, Monday through Friday. Workshop includes a one hour riding lesson and hands-on learning experiences. The day ends with a fun event or ride either in the ring or on the trails. Each weekly workshop has a different theme and is open to riders at and above the D-3 level; riders at the D-1 and D-2 levels are eligible for special sessions. Details are available in the Stable office and on the internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org. Enrollment opens on March 27, 2010 and may be done on-line or in person. Registration for these classes will remain open until they are full or until the Friday preceding the scheduled workshop.

Fees are as follows:

Summer Workshop dates are:

Participants may elect to remain at the stable for post-workshop activities, which may include swimming, paddle boating, and miniature golf at local SCPC sites, arts & crafts, and special “topic-related” field trips. Participants must be picked up at the stable by 5PM. There is an additional fee for this option; please call the stable office for more information.

Beginner Trail
Beginner Trail Rides are one-hour guided rides along the equestrian trails, open to LSS students at D2/Beginner 2 and D3/Beginner 3 levels. Summer rides are scheduled for May 23, June 27, July 18, and August 22, 2010. Registration begins on-line and in person two weeks before each ride date. Fees: $28 in county/$36 out of county. For more information, contact the Stable at 908 766-5955.

Horse Rentals
Riders who can post the trot and are secure and comfortable at the canter in an English saddle may rent horses for an hour’s ride in our large indoor ring, two outdoor rings, or 18 miles of well-maintained trails. Riders must be at least 9 years old (12 years old for trail riding) and weigh less than 240 pounds. Trailguides are available on Sundays through June; thereafter, they will also be available on weekdays at 2pm and on Saturday afternoons throughout the summer. Groups depart every half hour with a minimum of two people.

Hours for hacking vary and may be cancelled due to a high heat index. Please call the Stable office at 908 766-5955 ext. 32 for daily information. Riders choose horses on a first come, first served basis. Hourly hacking fees are as follows:

Private Horses
For an annual fee, people who have their own horses may enjoy the trails or outdoor rings as weather and ground conditions allow. The Trail Permit cost is $20 per calendar year for Somerset County residents and $32 for non-residents. Single day passes are also available for a fee of $8 for Somerset County residents and $12 for non-residents. The spacious indoor ring may also be used for $10.50 per hour. A current negative Coggins taken within the last 12 months is required.

Group Trail Rides and Hayrides
Lord Stirling Stable has unique program options available for your group. Whether you are looking for a team-building exercise with a difference, or just want to try something out of the ordinary with friends, we have an opportunity for you. Savor some of the 18 miles of beautiful equestrian-use trails from the back of a horse or from our tractor-pulled hay wagon. No ‘horse experience’ is required!

Group rides for adults and youth include a mini lesson with a certified instructor who will then guide your one-hour trail ride. Guided rides are available on Sundays and weekday afternoons. The flat rate for 10 riders or fewer is $300 ($250 for youth under the age of 18); additional riders may participate for $30 each ($25 for youth rides). Please call the office for date availability and reservations.

Tractor-pulled hayrides are an excellent choice for those who would love a trail experience but are not sure about riding a horse. They are also an option if your group is very large (up to 30 people) or if there is a broad age range to accommodate. A flat rate of $80 covers up to 10 people; additional participants may attend for $8 each.

By horse or by wagon, the trails of Lord Stirling Stable are definitely worth a visit. Call today to book your group’s special trail experience!

Equine Mini Workshops
Revised and expanded Equine Mini-Workshops are offered for individuals seeking competence and confidence around horses through a combination of non-riding activities and hands-on experience. Classes will run from 1:00pm to 3:00pm on five consecutive Saturdays. The basics of horse care will be covered in Equine Mini-Workshop 101 from June 26 through July 24, 2010. Equine Mini Workshop 102 will include additional and more advanced subjects, such as clipping, bandaging, and basic conformation, from July 31 through August 28, 2010.

There is no riding involved in the Mini-Workshops. Participants will learn general horse care, how to groom and tack the horse, be able to identify the different breeds and colors, and become familiar with the role of the veterinarian and the farrier. The cost is $55 for Somerset County residents and $92.50 for non-residents. On-line and in-person registrations will be accepted up until the first day of class as space permits.

Spring Junior Horse Show
Each spring, the public is invited to watch Junior Lord Stirling Stable students compete in a horse show and display their skills. This year’s show is being held on June 19 beginning at 8:30am. Classes vary from first time riders who have completed 10 lessons to advanced classes over fences. There will be a performance by the Junior Drill Team at 1pm. Free pony rides will be available from 11am - 12noon and 1:30pm - 2:30pm.

Girl Scout Horse Fan Badge
Junior Girl Scouts ages 9 and older will learn skills to help them earn the Horse Fan Badge. Topics include safety in the barn and around horses; an introduction to breeds, colors, and parts of the horse; and the important roles of the veterinarian, the farrier, and the equine dentist. Each scout will have the opportunity to gain hand-on experience learning to groom a horse. The fee for this program is $8 per girl for troops in Somerset County and $10 per girl for out of county troops. Minimum group size is 6 with a maximum of 12 participants. Leaders and chaperones attend free of charge. For more information and to reserve a time, contact the Stable at 908 766-5955.

Room Rental
Lord Stirling Stable has a large room overlooking the indoor riding arena available for rental. Bleachers may be pulled out or pushed back against the wall. Tables and chairs may be set up as desired. Audio/visual equipment and limited kitchen facilities are also available. Please call the stable at 908 766-5955 for prices and availability.

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
     • Directions
     • Adult Release & Waiver
     • Minor Release & Waiver
     • Park Map
     • Park Brochure
     • Riding Lesson Brochure
     • Cancellation Policy

 SCHEDULES
     • Adult Lessons
     • Class Cancellation, Make-Up Lesson &
        Refund Information
     • Junior Lessons
     • New and Special Classes
     • Registration
     • Summer Workshop

Friends of Lord Stirling Stable

   E-mail Lord Stirling Stable with any questions or    comments.