PROGRAMS
camps
Victoria Dye Equestrian offers educational riding camps at Westwind Community Barn during school breaks.
A real barn experience, this program focuses on responsible, considerate care of horses. Each rider is assigned to their horse for the week. We offer quality ponies, pony club curriculum and a low student-to-instructor ratio in a park-like setting. It is strongly recommended that campers purchase their own helmets and boots with heels. A limited amount of equipment is available on a first come first serve basis.
In our Spring Break Camp, participants will go on a trail ride on the last day. In our summer camp series, campers will participate in a horse show on the last day of camp.
Discounts are available for residents of the town of Los Altos Hills, and all registration is conducted through the Los Altos Hills Parks and Recreation Department.
VDE HOLIDAY RIDING CAMP IS BACK
We LOVE our summers spent with our campers at the barn and we miss those days all year long, which is why we’re excited to announce our holiday riding camp!
This camp features a variety of engaging activities, including horse care, handling, grooming, outdoor games, arts and crafts, and of course, riding! Campers will enjoy daily riding lessons with our experienced trainers, along with mounted games and bareback riding. Give your kids an exciting and adventurous holiday break by enrolling them today!
- Dates: December 30 – January 3
- Days: Monday-Friday (rain or shine)
- Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m
- Location: Westwind Community Barn
- Fee: $575 Residents, $600 Non-Residents
summer camp
Summer camp registration typically opens in early Spring – check back here for updates on 2025 summer camps!
BEGINNER
This camp is perfect for riders with little or no riding experience! Each rider is assigned to his or her horse for the week and gets to experience the responsibility and fun of horse ownership. We offer quality ponies and a low student to instructor/assistant ratio in a park-like setting, with a horse show on the last day of camp.
Campers must turn 7 this year to register for camp.
Beginner A: Riders with little or no riding experience.
Beginner B: Rider must have completed at least one week of beginner camp or at least 3 lessons.
Sessions run Monday – Friday 9 AM – 2 PM
2025 DATES TBD.
INTERMEDIATE 1
Intermediate 1 camp is suitable for riders who can walk and trot independently. Riders should be able to steer and have begun to learn figures such as circles and figure 8s. Students do not need approval from VDE for Intermediate 1 camp. However, if a student cannot ride independently their participation in the riding section may be limited.
Sessions run Monday – Friday 9 AM – 3 PM
2025 DATES TBD.
INTERMEDIATE 2
Intermediate 2 is suitable for students who can trot and canter independently and are beginning to learn to jump. Riders will ride independently for this camp and must be at a minimum cantering. All riders must have Victoria Dye Equestrian’s approval if they are not currently a VDE student. Contact Victoria Dye Equestrian at ridewithvde@gmail.com. If you sign up without approval you are subject to losing 50% of the fee.
2025 DATES TBD.
ADVANCED
Riders must be comfortable at the walk, trot and canter. Riders should be comfortable cantering cross rail courses and should be able to demonstrate basic dressage skills. This camp includes instruction in jumping and dressage, as well as an evening movie activity. Riders will get a chance to ride with a dressage clinician and a jumping clinician. At the conclusion of camp there will be a horse show following a real horse show format with a flat class and a jumping class that will be judged, and ribbons awarded. All riders must have Victoria Dye Equestrian’s approval if they are not currently a VDE student. Contact Victoria Dye Equestrian at ridewithvde@gmail.com. If you sign up without approval you are subject to losing 50% of the fee.
2025 DATES TBD.
FEES
Beginner 5 Day Camp Fees: $625/$600 Resident
Intermediate Fees: $675/$650 Resident
Advanced 4-Day Camp Fees: $650/$625 Resident
LESSONS
Our lessons focus on the fundamentals of riding as well as establishing strong horsemanship skills. In order to become strong riders, students must first understand the horse: how they think, how they move, and what care they require. Students are taught how to safely handle the horse, proper grooming techniques, care and maintenance of tack, and the unique characteristics of the horse.
Lessons are available for children as young as 6 and adults of any age. Private lessons are available during weekday mornings only, and availability is limited – please contact us for current openings.
Instruction is offered in varying levels of English and Western riding.
Los Altos Hills Residents receive a 10% discount on all lessons and packages.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LESSONS, PLEASE EMAIL RIDEWITHVDE@GMAIL.COM.
| lesson type | fees |
|---|---|
|
1 lesson per week with VDE lesson horse. |
$360 per month |
|
2 lessons per week with VDE lesson horse. |
$720 per month |
|
1 lesson per week with own horse. |
$320 per month |
|
2 lessons per week with own horse. |
$640 per month |
sign up for lessons
To get started with the VDE lesson program, please email ridewithvde@gmail.com.
LEASE OUR HORSES
VDE also offers leasing options for our school horses and ponies. Please email ridewithvde@gmail.com for more information.
TESTIMONIALS
other events
COMMUNITY EVENTS
All year long, Westwind Community Barn is proud to host community events, celebrations, and horse shows.
Victoria Dye Equestrian hosts two horse shows each year, and the town of Los Altos Hills hosts five events each year.
EVENT DATES
Please visit the town of Los Altos Hills website for updates on upcoming events.
CELEBRATE WITH A BIRTHDAY LESSON!
Victoria Dye Equestrian offers birthday lessons!
Children will get to groom and ride the horses! Birthday lessons are offered for children ages 5 and older, are one hour in length, with a minimum of five riders and maximum of 10. At this time, we only allow those riding during the lesson and two accompanying adults in the barn area during the lesson. For more information, including our COVID policies, please contact Victoria Dye Equestrian at ridewithVDE@gmail.com.
Fee: $50 per rider