Pony Gang Riding Academy

09/16/2026

🐴 Riding & Pony Programs at Pony Gang Riding Academy
Looking for riding opportunities in the Columbia, SC area?
At Pony Gang Riding Academy in Hopkins, South Carolina, we offer pony and riding programs for young children, youth, teens, and adults. From a first hands-on pony experience to structured English and Western riding lessons, we offer programs for different ages, experience levels, and riding goals.

✨ Little Riders Pony Time | Ages 1½–5�A fun, hands-on pony experience created especially for our youngest horse lovers! Little Riders get time to meet and groom their pony, followed by an age-appropriate pony ride in the arena or on our trails. It is a relaxed way for little ones to enjoy time around horses and become comfortable with ponies without the structure of a formal riding lesson.

💜 Tiny Tot Riding Lessons | Ages 2½–5�Structured riding lessons designed specifically for young children. Riders begin learning balance, position, steering, and basic riding skills while also participating in grooming and age-appropriate horse care.

🐎 Young Riders | Ages 6–7�For young riders ready to begin building a stronger riding foundation. Lessons focus on developing balance, position, communication, control, and more independent riding skills, while continuing to teach proper horsemanship and horse care.

🇬🇧 English Riding Lessons | Ages 8+ & Adults�Our English program includes Hunt Seat/Hunter-Jumper and Dressage instruction. Riders develop a strong foundation through correct position, balance, effective aids, communication, control, and an understanding of how their riding influences the horse.

🤠 Western Riding Lessons | Ages 8+ & Adults�Our Western program focuses on developing a balanced, effective rider through correct position, communication, control, and solid horsemanship foundations. Riders learn to use their seat, legs, and hands effectively while building confidence and independence in the saddle.

Beginners are welcome! No previous riding experience is required to get started. We also welcome adults who are completely new to horses, returning to riding after years away, or looking to continue developing their skills.

At Pony Gang, riding is about more than simply getting on a horse. Our lesson students learn riding skills, horse handling, grooming, horse care, and an understanding of the horse underneath them.

📍 Hopkins, South Carolina — near Columbia

📩 Now accepting riders in select programs and lesson times. Message us for current availability, pricing, and enrollment information.

08/11/2026

🐴💕 Little Riders Pony Time 💕🐴

Does your little one get excited every time they see a horse or pony?

Our Little Riders Pony Time program is designed especially for children 18 months to 5 years old who would love the chance to spend time with a pony.

This is not a structured riding lesson program. It’s a gentle, recreational pony experience where children can meet their pony, participate in simple grooming and pony care, and enjoy a closely supervised lead-line pony ride.

Our staff leads the pony throughout the ride. Little Riders are not expected to steer or control the pony — they simply get to enjoy being on a pony, become comfortable around horses, and make some wonderful first memories. 🥰🐴

✨ Ages 18 months–5 years
🐴 $35 per scheduled appointment
📅 Choose weekly or every-other-week recurring appointments
⏰ Weekday appointments available between 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM, depending on the day and availability
📍 Pony Gang Riding Academy in Hopkins, SC — near Columbia

Want to learn more?
👉 Visit our Little Riders Pony Time page for program information, availability, and registration:
https://www.horsebackridingcolumbiasc.com/little-riders

Spots are limited because each Little Rider has a recurring appointment reserved just for them.

Little steps. Big smiles. Lifelong memories. ❤️

08/07/2026

🐴 NEW Homeschool Riding & Horsemanship Program at Pony Gang! 📚

Looking for a hands-on homeschool experience that goes beyond the classroom?

Our Pony Gang Homeschool Riding & Horsemanship Program is designed for homeschool students ages 6–14 and combines:

🐎 Mounted riding instruction
🧹 Practical horsemanship
🩺 Horse care and health knowledge
🧠 Horse behavior and education
💪 Confidence, responsibility, balance, and coordination
🤝 Small-group learning with other horse-loving homeschoolers

This is not simply a weekly horseback riding lesson. Our students learn how to understand, handle, care for, and work responsibly with horses while developing their riding skills at an appropriate pace.

📍 Located in Hopkins, SC, near Columbia
📅 Monday or Friday groups
⏰ 10:00–11:30 AM
👧🧒 Ages 6–14
🐴 Beginners are welcome
👥 Only 4–6 students per group

Our Fall Semester runs September through December, and space is limited.

If your child loves horses and you’re looking for a meaningful, hands-on homeschool activity near Columbia, SC, we’d love to have them join the Pony Gang!

👉 Learn more about the program and enrollment here:
https://www.horsebackridingcolumbiasc.com/homeschoolprogram

08/03/2026

The equestrian world has lost one of its greatest horsemen and most influential teachers.

Monty Roberts changed the way countless equestrians understand, communicate with, and train horses. His work showed the world that trust, patience, compassion, and partnership can accomplish what force never could.

I had the privilege of seeing Monty work with horses in person in Germany during the early 2000s. That experience had a lasting impact on me. It changed my thinking and shaped the way I approach, work with, and train horses to this day. His philosophy has influenced not only my own horsemanship, but also the principles we strive to teach at Pony Gang Riding Academy.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, dedicated team, and the worldwide equestrian community whose lives he touched.

His legacy will live on every time someone chooses patience over force, listens to the horse, and works toward a partnership built on trust and understanding.

Rest in peace, Monty Roberts. Your work changed the horse world for the better, and your influence will continue for generations to come.

— Pony Gang Riding Academy

07/04/2026

06/05/2026

🐴 Progress one stride at a time! Today our adult western rider worked on smooth trot-to-halt transitions, extending the trot, and riding balanced circles with correct bend. Building softness, balance, and clear communication with the horse every ride! 🤠✨

02/28/2025

We have lessons spots available - Come join us!!

12/04/2024

🌟 A Milestone Moment! 🌟

Big congratulations to Noelle for achieving her first canter today! 🐴✨ Watching her ride with such confidence and control was truly inspiring. She worked so hard to reach this milestone, and we couldn’t be prouder of her accomplishment!

Join us in celebrating her success by cheering her on in the comments! 👏👏