Some athletes in the Pre-Competition program, and all of the athletes on the Neverland Show Team will begin leasing a pony to ride consistently throughout the year.
By leasing a pony, you’ll ride the same pony in every lesson, and take responsibility for their care throughout the year. This builds a stronger relationship between the rider and their mount. It helps them learn the unique personalities of their pony which helps them develop confidence and new skills that become very practical as a horse person.
Advantages
The primary advantages of the leasing programs are:
- Student rides the same pony every time they come to the barn which allows the athlete to develop a closer working relationship with their pony
- More time at the barn - this builds confidence, fosters lifelong friendships, and reduces stress and anxiety in young riders
- Pony Club - an additional program we provide which teaches foundational skills of good horsemanship and allows riders to get their ‘rider levels’ from Equine Canada
- Competitions - Leasing means you can take your pony to competitions with the rest of the Neverland Show Team. We compete on the Ottawa circuit mostly but also bring athletes to both provincial finals and the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto if they choose to attend those events.
Half-Lease
We offer a special “half-lease” program to help athletes (and their parents) take a smaller, progressive step into this next level of the sport.
In a half-lease, you’ll lease one of the “competition-ready” ponies we have in the barn. We choose a match based on who we think will be the very best teacher for the athlete.
Half-leasing also means you’ll share the responsibilities of care and upkeep of the pony with another rider in the barn.
What is the cost?
Annual
The initial lease fee depends on the pony. Annual half lease fees range from $3k-5k This fee is paid up front and covers the rental of the pony for the year, their tack and all of the pony’s specific equipment. Additional competition specific equipment will be required.
Monthly Half Board - $350/month This covers your share of:
- Hay
- Shavings
- Grain
- Supplements
- Medications
- Stabling
- General care and maintenance of the pony
Half of the 3rd Party Services Fee - $55 This covers your share of:
- Farrier trims
- Osteopath
- Routine veterinary care (vaccinations, deworming, dental, etc.)
Show Team Program - $660
- 3 lessons per week
Please note: In January, since there are no lessons, your only financial responsibility is 1⁄2 the board and 1⁄2 service fee, $405. The program resumes February 1st. If you’re not ready or able to start coming to the barn to ride 3 days per week in February, we will get the pony back in shape for you to be ready for your child to start in March.
What is the commitment?
Leasing a pony means a full year commitment to the costs outlined above.
What if we can’t come to the barn to ride the pony because of (vacation, other commitments, etc.)?
If you’re not able to make it to your lessons for 1 or more sessions, one of our team members will be tasked with ensuring your pony gets the exercise and additional training they require to stay
How do you schedule with another rider sharing the pony?
This all gets taken care of when we are building the schedule for each season of the program.
Full Lease
In the case the athlete is ready for a full lease (or to own the pony outright) we will work with you to find and select the right pony by opening the search with our network of trainers and facility owners across North Eastern US and Eastern Canada. While we do offer to full lease some of the ponies in our barn, in most cases we will be looking outside the barn for the right match for the athlete.
A full lease is like owning your own horse. You are taking full responsibility for their care.
In return, you can come to the barn to ride your pony as often as 6 days per week!
You’ll be able to attend as many horse shows as you like as well.
What is the cost?
Yearly Lease Fees can be from $5k-$50k+. This depends on the quality, training, and show experience of the pony.
Monthly Full Board
Our indoor board is offered at $900/month. This means your pony will spend their days outdoors with the herd, but will be brought in at night to their own stall. This approach gives us greater control over feeding, supplementation, and ensures an overall more protected environment for the pony.
In the case that the pony is leased from outside the barn, we require this level of boarding care.
If the full lease is for one of the Neverland ponies who spends their nights outside, we charge what we call the “Show Pony” board of $700/month. This means that most nights the pony will sleep outdoor, but will have the option to come inside when required. For example, this might mean that the pony sleeps indoors the night before the show, so they can be properly bathed and prepped the day before and not get dirty again rolling around in the sand!
This covers your share of:
- Hay
- Shavings
- Grain
- Supplements
- Medications
- Stabling
- General care and maintenance of the pony
Show Team Program - $660
- 3 lessons per week
- In December, we only charge $330 for the lesson program because of the holidays
- You will not be billed for lessons in January as we give all of the ponies a month-long break.
Additional Costs You are responsible for all farrier expenses, vet expenses, osteopath, dental care, and any other care the pony requires while you are leasing. We organize and facilitate the care to be provided by these professionals, however they will bill you directly for the services they render.
In January, since there are no lessons, your only financial responsibility is the board and any additional services or treatments the pony requires.
The program resumes February 1st. If you’re not ready or able to start coming to the barn to ride 3 days per week in February, we will get the pony back in shape for you to be ready for your child to start in March.
Do I need any additional equipment?
You will need your own saddle, bridle and all the equipment to keep your pony fit and comfortable.