FAQ

Clicking your location's Student Portal button on our website will take you to our iClass Pro registration system, where you can create an account and search for classes. Detailed Instructions: 1. After entering iClass Pro, create an account. 2. Click "Enroll in a Class" from the homepage or use the "Booking" tab. 3. Follow the prompts to view available classes on the "Classes" page. 4. If unsure which class to choose, see the FAQ titled "How do I know what level to sign up for?" 5. When you click "Add to Cart," your spot is held for 15 minutes while you enter payment information or sign up another person. 6. A valid credit card is required to enroll and stay enrolled in classes. 7. Clicking "Complete Transaction" confirms your enrollment, and your card will be charged immediately unless instructor approval is needed (e.g., for incorrect age groups). In that case, you'll be charged upon approval.

We almost never cancel lessons due to weather, as all Spark facilities have indoor riding arenas, and our winter lesson locations are heated. In the rare event that a lesson must be cancelled, your instructor will contact you directly via the phone number or email provided in your student portal. A make-up lesson may be offered in this event.

Most riders start at Level 1 or Introductory Riding for Adults, even if they’ve had a few lessons before. If you’d like to join a more advanced level, please sign up for an assessment. If no assessments are available, contact us at info@sparkequestrian.com. Assessments are $45 and last about 30 minutes, including tacking up. Please note that assessments are not lessons.

Riders may cancel their course registration and receive a refund up to one week before the course begins, subject to a $30 credit card processing fee. Spark Equestrian carefully determines the number of lesson horses needed based on course enrollments to ensure proper planning. We uphold a strict enrollment and attendance policy to maintain the right number of horses and ensure we can continue providing top-notch care for our lesson horses.

Most of our emails to current students are sent through MailChimp and iClass Pro, but they may be flagged as spam, especially if your email is a work or corporate account. You should be receiving automatic enrollment confirmations from iClass Pro, along with MailChimp notifications about instructor updates, student portal info, and next session recommendations. If you’re not getting these emails, please check your spam folder and mark them as “not spam” to ensure future delivery.

If you can't make a lesson, please request an absence in the iClass Pro system by 8 AM on the day of your lesson through your Student Portal. (It doesn't matter if the absence is marked "excused" or "unexcused.") Students are allowed ONE make-up lesson per session, regardless of the number of missed lessons. You will receive a make-up token with which you can redeem for a make-up lesson once throughout the session. Various dates and times will be provided.

Before registering for any level beyond Level 1 or Introductory Riding for Adults, students must complete specific prerequisites. If you are new to Spark Equestrian Academy and wish to enroll in a higher level, please sign up for an assessment. If no assessments are available at your location, contact us at info@sparkequestrian.com for assistance. Current Spark students who are unable to register for their recommended level should contact their instructor to ensure that all prerequisites have been met and properly recorded in their skill tree.

A horse can carry about 20% of its own body weight, provided the rider is well-balanced and experienced. To maintain the health of our school horses, we limit our beginner riders to 210 lbs.

Yes, safety is our top priority. All lessons are supervised by experienced instructors in controlled environments. We begin with groundwork and horsemanship skills before students mount, ensuring they are confident and prepared.

Our lesson horses are carefully selected for their calm demeanor, experience, and reliability. They are well-trained to work with riders of all levels and are regularly evaluated for health and performance.

We recommend weekly lessons to maintain consistent progress and muscle memory. Each 12-week session is structured to help riders meet specific goals and prepare for the next level.

Spark Equestrian Academy is committed to high standards of horse care. All horses receive routine veterinary, dental, and farrier care, along with customized feeding and exercise programs to ensure their health and well-being.

Horsemanship involves caring for, handling, and understanding horses on the ground. At Spark, horsemanship makes up a significant portion of our curriculum, teaching students how to build trust, ensure safety, and develop strong horse-human partnerships.

Horseback riding helps children develop confidence, balance, responsibility, communication skills, and physical coordination. Our structured curriculum also builds resilience and fosters a deep respect for animals.

Students can purchase boots, helmets, and breeches either from a local tack shop or online. If visiting a local tack shop, simply inform the staff that you or your child is starting riding lessons and requires an English short boot and a helmet. The staff will help you select the appropriate gear. If you're shopping online or unable to be fitted for a helmet in-store, ensure that the helmet is ASTM certified for horse riding and features an adjustable dial at the back for a proper fit. Local Tack Shops: St. Croix Saddlery (East Metro) 310 Stillwater Road Willernie, MN (651) 426–0831 Dover Saddlery (West Metro) 306 Clydesdale Trl Medina, MN 55340 (763) 478-6150 Online Retailers: Dover Saddlery Schneiders Tack SmartPak Equine

Spark Equestrian Academy accepts riders as young as 5 years old in our beginner programs. Our curriculum is tailored to introduce young riders to the fundamentals of horsemanship and riding in a safe and supportive environment.

All students are required to wear closed-toe shoes, though riding boots are highly recommended. Long pants are also mandatory, with breeches recommended for our English riding locations. Additionally, every rider must wear a properly fitting helmet. The helmet should be snug enough to stay in place even when the rider bends over, even if it's unbuckled.

Come dressed in long pants and closed-toe shoes (preferably boots with a small heel). Helmets are required and provided if you don’t have your own. If you arrive early, please wait in your locations dedicated lounge/waiting area until your instructor arrives.

Not at all. Spark Equestrian Academy provides school horses for all students enrolled in lessons. However, we also support riders who own horses and wish to continue training with us.

Yes! Depending on the location, Spark offers English and Western disciplines, including reining, basic dressage, and jumping fundamentals. Visit our Locations page to see what’s offered near you.

Spark Equestrian Academy stands out in three key ways: 1. We follow a structured, written curriculum with clear levels, goals, and outcomes, so you can track your student’s progress and advancement. 2. Instead of individual lessons, we offer 12-week sessions to ensure consistent learning in both riding and horse handling. 3. Nearly half of our 85-minute beginner lessons focus on horsemanship, teaching students how to safely handle and care for horses, alongside their riding skills.

Spark Equestrian Academy offers both English and Western riding, depending on the location. Visit the Locations page to find the right fit for you.