Stillwater, Minnesota
Spark Equestrian Academy – Stillwater is our flagship location, conveniently situated between I-94 and Hwy 36, making it perfect for students East of the Twin Cities such as St. Paul, Woodbury, Mahtomedi, Afton, Hudson, Cottage Grove, and surrounding areas.
Spark Stillwater specializes in English-style riding lessons. The barn, tacking area, indoor riding arena, and lounge are all comfortably heated throughout the winter months, ensuring a welcoming environment year-round.
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Address
13850 30th St N
Stillwater, MN 55082
Contact Us
We have what you're looking for!
Classes for Kids!
Cost:
Pay In Full: $705
Monthly Payments (3): $315/mo
Tiny Tots: Ages 3-6
(Not a stepwise program)
Lessons: 12
Duration: 45 Minutes​
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Curriculum ​
*PLEASE NOTE: This class requires parent/guardian involvement*
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Tiny Tots Class is for students ages 3-6 and their parent(s) who want to learn about horses together! Students and parents will learn how to groom their horses and about basic horse safety. Parents assist in their child's learning by leading the horse around while the student rides.
Cost:
Pay In Full: $870
Monthly Payments (3): $350/mo
Level Pre-One: Ages 7-8
Lessons: 12
Duration: 85 Minutes
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Curriculum
Our Level Pre-1 classes closely follow the Level One curriculum, but at a slower pace for our younger students who are ready to ride on their own.
In the horsemanship section of their lessons, students will work on leading their horse to and from the cross-ties, grooming and tacking their horse, and identifying horse body language.
In the riding section of their lessons, students will work on safely mounting and dismounting their horse, walking on and halting while riding, developing balance in the two-point at a walk, and steering simple patterns at the walk.​​​​​
Cost:
Pay In Full: $870
Monthly Payments (3): $350/mo
Level One: Ages 9-16
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Lessons: 12
Duration: 85 Minutes
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Curriculum
Our Level One course will cover the very basics of riding and is designed for students ages 9-16 with little-to-no horse experience.
In the horsemanship section of their lessons, students will work on leading their horse to and from the cross-ties, grooming and tacking their horse, and identifying horse body language.
In the riding section of their lessons, students will work on safely mounting and dismounting their horse, walking on and halting while riding, steering simple shapes at a walk, and developing balance in the two-point at a walk and trot.
Cost:
Pay In Full: $870
Monthly Payments (3): $350/mo
Level Two: Ages 9-17
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Lessons: 12
Duration: 85 Minutes
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Curriculum
Our Level Two course will expand upon the basics of trotting as well as take a deeper dive into steering at a walk. If your student seems like they may meet the criteria for Level Two or above, please reach out to your location of choice to schedule an assessment ride.
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In the horsemanship section of their lessons, students will work on continued independence in Level One skills as well as hoof picking and adjusting stirrups.
In the riding section of their lessons, students will work on improving their steering aids at the walk via more complex steering patterns. They will also be introduced to posting the trot and how to use their aids to keep the horse on the wall. Depending on the speed of skill development, students may additionally be introduced to identifying posting diagonals.
Cost:
Pay In Full: $870
Monthly Payments (3): $350/mo
Level Three: Ages 9-17
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Lessons: 12
Duration: 85 Minutes
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Curriculum
Our Level Three course will begin to introduce steering at the trot as well as identifying posting diagonals. If your student seems like they may meet the criteria for Level Two or above, please reach out to your location of choice to schedule an assessment ride.
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In the horsemanship section of their lessons, students will work on continued independence in Level One and Two skills as well as be introduced to bridling.
In the riding section of their lessons, students will work on building strength in the trot by practicing a number of steering patterns at the trot. Students will also be introduced to the concept of identifying and changing posting diagonals.
Cost:
Pay In Full: $870
Monthly Payments (3): $350/mo
Level Four: Ages 9-17
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Lessons: 12
Duration: 85 Minutes
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Curriculum
Our Level Four course will take a focus on group trotting and steering at the trot in a two-point. If your student seems like they may meet the criteria for Level Two or above, please reach out to your location of choice to schedule an assessment ride.
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In the horsemanship section of their lessons, students will work on continued independence in Level One, Two, and Three skills. Students will also be introduced to more advanced horsemanship skills such as blanketing horses, simple medical care and feed, advanced horse body language, etc.
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In the riding section of their lessons, students will work on building strength in the two-point at a trot. This will be done by practicing trot patterns in the two-point. Students will also learn how to trot as a group both while posting and in the two-point. These skills will help to build balance and strength in the two-point to prepare students to canter in Level Five.
Cost:
Pay In Full: $870
Monthly Payments (3): $350/mo
Level Five: Ages 9-17
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Lessons: 12
Duration: 85 Minutes
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Curriculum
Our Level Five course will introduce the basics of cantering as well as continue to build strength in the trot. If your student seems like they may meet the criteria for Level Two or above, please reach out to your location of choice to schedule an assessment ride.
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In the horsemanship section of their lessons, students will work on continued independence in Level One through Four skills. Students will also be introduced to more advanced horsemanship skills such as blanketing horses, simple medical care and feed, advanced horse body language, etc.
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In the riding section of their lessons, students will be introduced to, and continue to build strength in, the canter. During this period, they will continue to expand upon their trot skills via more complex steering patterns.
Cost:
Pay In Full: $870
Monthly Payments (3): $350/mo
Level Six: Ages 9-17
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Lessons: 12
Duration: 85 Minutes
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Curriculum
Our Level Six course will expand upon the basics of cantering as well as aim to create independent riders on the ground. If your student seems like they may meet the criteria for Level Two or above, please reach out to your location of choice to schedule an assessment ride.
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In the horsemanship section of their lessons, students will work to become completely independent in all previously taught horsemanship skills.They will also be introduced to catching and turning out their horses under direct supervision of a horsemanship instructor.
In the riding section of their lessons, students will be introduced to the concept of identifying canter leads. They will also continue to build strength at the canter as well as begin to perform rudimentary steering patterns at the canter.​
Cost:
Pay In Full: $870
Monthly Payments (3): $350/mo
Level Seven: Ages 9-17
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Lessons: 12
Duration: 85 Minutes
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Curriculum
Our Level Seven course is the final level in Spark’s Core Curriculum. Students who graduate out of this level should be able to independently catch, groom, and tack their horse for lessons. If your student seems like they may meet the criteria for Level Two or above, please reach out to your location of choice to schedule an assessment ride.
In the horsemanship section of their lessons, students will work to catch, groom, and tack their horse without aid from the horsemanship instructor.
In the riding section of their lessons, students will be introduced to the various riding disciplines offered at your Spark location or nearby partner farms. The goal of graduation for Level Seven students is to prepare students who would like to continue on into private training programs for the purpose of leasing, owning, or showing horses.​
Cost:
Pay In Full: $870
Monthly Payments (3): $350/mo
Jumping Basics: Ages 9-17
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Lessons: 12
Duration: 85 Minutes
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Curriculum​
Students may only sign up for this class after graduating out of a Level 7 class at a Spark location or being evaluated and placed into this class.
Jumping Basics is an introduction to private lessons. This class does include a horsemanship instructor but students are expected to be able to tack and untack their horses independently. Students in jumping basics will explore further into the Jumping discipline for 12 weeks and will prepare to enter the competitive Hunter/Jumper world.
Classes for Adults!
Cost:
Pay In Full: $870
Monthly Payments (3): $350/mo
Introductory Riding for Adults: Ages 18+
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Lessons: 12
Duration: 85 Minutes
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Curriculum
All adult classes loosely follow our Leveled curriculum offered to our younger riders. Our Introductory level is designed for riders with little-to-no horse experience or riders who are looking for a refresher.
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In the horsemanship section of their lessons, students will work on leading their horse to and from the cross-ties, grooming and tacking their horse, and identifying horse body language.
​
In the riding section of their lessons, students will work on safely mounting and dismounting their horse, walking on and halting while riding, steering simple shapes at a walk, and developing balance in the two-point and post at a walk and trot.
Cost:
Pay In Full: $870
Monthly Payments (3): $350/mo
Intermediate Riding for Adults: Ages 18+
For Adults with Riding Experience
Lessons: 12
Duration: 85 Minutes
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Curriculum
All adult classes loosely follow our Leveled curriculum offered to our younger riders. Our Intermediate level is designed for riders who are comfortable tacking their horses as well as comfortable riding at the walk and trot. If you feel as though your skills may be at an Intermediate level or above, please reach out to your desired location to set up an assessment ride.
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In the horsemanship section of their lessons, students will work on developing independence with Introductory skills. Students will also be introduced to bridling and on occasion, catching their horses.
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In the riding section of their lessons, students will work on developing strength and balance at the trot while both posting and two-pointing. Students will also focus on steering trot patterns in a number of seats as well as identifying posting diagonals.​
Cost:
Pay In Full: $870
Monthly Payments (3): $350/mo
Advanced Riding for Adults:
Ages 18+
For Adults with Riding Experience
Lessons: 12
Duration: 85 Minutes
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Curriculum
All adult classes loosely follow our Leveled curriculum offered to our younger riders. Our Advanced level is designed for riders who are comfortable tacking their horses as well as prepared for cantering. If you feel as though your skills may be at an Intermediate level or above, please reach out to your desired location to set up an assessment ride.
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In the horsemanship section of their lessons, students will work to catch, groom, and tack their horse without aid from the horsemanship instructor.
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In the riding section of their lessons, students will be introduced to and continue to build upon cantering.
Cost:
Pay In Full: $870
Monthly Payments (3): $350/mo
Jumping for Adults: Ages 18+
For Adults with Riding Experience
Lessons: 12
Duration: 85 Minutes
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Curriculum
Jumping For Adults is designed for adults wanting to explore more discipline specific riding. This class does include a horsemanship instructor but students are expected to be able to tack and untack their horses independently.
Students in jumping basics will explore further into the Jumping discipline for 12 weeks and will prepare to enter the competitive Hunter/Jumper world.​​​​
Workshops and Camps!
Cost:
Pay In Full: $160
Equine Immersion: Ages 9-17
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Curriculum
Designed for our level three students and up, Spark’s Equine Immersion Camp aims to teach students about the intricacies of horsemanship, horse care, communication, and riding.
Each student will receive a 45 minute riding lesson taught by a Spark riding instructor flanked by an in depth look at our horses and how we can better connect with them. This is a great camp to work on skills your student has trouble with as well as learn totally new skills not typically taught during Spark lessons.
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Students are expected to provide their own lunches and wear long pants with close toed shoes. We recommend bringing a water bottle, sunscreen, and layers as needed as Equine Immersions take place both indoors and outdoors.
Cost:
Pay In Full: $160
Equine Immersion: Ages 18+
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Curriculum
Designed for our adult riders, Spark’s Equine Immersion Camp aims to teach students about the intricacies of horsemanship, horse care, communication, and riding.
Each student will receive a 45 minute riding lesson taught by a Spark riding instructor flanked by an in depth look at our horses and how we can better connect with them. This is a great camp to work on skills your student has trouble with as well as learn totally new skills not typically taught during Spark lessons
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Students are expected to provide their own lunches and wear long pants with close toed shoes. We recommend bringing a water bottle, sunscreen, and layers as needed as Equine Immersions take place both indoors and outdoors.
Cost:
Pay In Full: $150
Horsemanship Workshop:
Ages 18+​
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Curriculum
Our Horsemanship Workshops are perfect for beginning and returning riders, as well as those who have always wanted to learn more about horses.
These small group workshops can be tailored to the horsemanship skills you want to work on, including the following: catching and haltering a horse in the pasture, understanding herd dynamics and body language, safety practices while in the pasture and barn, saddle and bridle fitting, horse anatomy, grooming, leading, a variety of groundwork exercises and introduction to lunging.
Cost:
Pay In Full: $150
Day Camp: Ages 6-12
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Curriculum
Offered for kids ages 6-12, our year-round day camps introduce kids the basics of horse care, grooming, and riding.
Kids should provide their own lunch and wear long pants with close-toed shoes. We will provide the rest! During the winter months, all of our arenas are heated so we spend most of the day indoors.
We may make a couple of trips outside, so multiple layers of clothing are recommended—including snow pants and boots!
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