Vero Beach, on Florida's east coast, is a beach community complete with ocean and inter-coastal waterway views. Sunny days and balmy breezes set the stage for a variety of outdoor activities. Swim, surf, kayak and fish along the Treasure Coast. Vero Beach is also a hub for equestrian activities. As a northern extension of the south Florida's Wellington area horse country, riding clubs and camps populate the area.
Polo Activities
One of the oldest competitive team activities is the game of polo, a sport played in Persia more than 2,000 years ago. Horses used to play the game are trained athletes thought to be faster than racehorses in short sprints. Attending a polo event is a popular Sunday afternoon activity in South Florida. A match is segmented into periods, termed chukkers. Two-man teams use wooden mallets to drive a ball down field and between the goal post. In Vero Beach, polo is played at The Polo Grounds housed in an upscale Vero Beach community. The club holds matches open to the public every Sunday from January through the beginning of April.
Riding Lessons for Kids
If your child is just starting to enjoy equestrian sports or planning to compete, Shady Oaks Ranch provides lessons for all levels of riders. Children as young as 4 years can learn the basics during private or group lessons. Safety is stressed as are grooming and handling. Vero Equine is another training center where children can learn riding fundamentals. If this is your child's first experience with horses, two-hour Saturday morning rides offer by the stables are a good way the sport.
Specialty Lessons
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport. Judges score horses on a battery of movements. Discipline and horse obedience are important in scoring along with agility and teamwork of both horse and owner. Some stables in the Vero Beach area offer dressage training. Mary McGuire, a certified dressage instructor teaches at I Ride. Atlantic Crossing Stables also has dressage instructors. During the summer season, the stable holds dressage competitions.
Boarding Facilities
Many facilities not only offer boarding for your horse, but provide an array of equestrian activities. Long Riders Stables in nearby Fort Pierce also offers boarding, riding lessons and pony day camps. Atlantic Crossing Stables will house your animal and attend to the horse's nutrition and grooming requirements. Carefree Ranch is a 10-acre facility that offers pasture boarding and grooming. Owners can exercise their horses on the ranch trails.
Considerations
If you are seriously thinking about the joys of having a horse of your own, there are some factors you should consider. Although the purchase price may be a big ticket item, feeding and caring for the animal are continuing annual expenses. Hay and vet bills can add up. Additionally, the time commitment is significant. Horses need plenty of fresh air and exercise to maintain a healthy quality of life. If you are thinking of buying a horse for your child, thoroughly discuss the duties and responsibilities before making a decision.
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