Joining Lancers

Waitlist

We are proud to offer such a unique program in downtown Halifax. We know our location is a major selling feature and we would love to have everyone who wants to, be able to ride with us. However, due to our size, we can only accommodate a finite number of riders every year. We do have a waitlist for all of our programs so that riders with all levels of experience can have the chance to join the Lancer Community.

For riders with experience, the waitlist means we do not currently have space in a suitable ride. Spaces become available for all sorts of reasons and when they do, we offer a trial ride to a suitable candidate. For this reason, the waitlist for the junior and adult membership can be shorter than that for our Beginner Course programs.

Our Beginner Course waitlists are the longest. We are only able to take 8 candidates per course offered which means that at least 8 of our current members must be graduating or leaving Lancers in order for us to be able to offer a Fall or Spring Course. For this reason, youths 16 and older looking to take the beginner course are placed on the Adult Beginner Course waitlist. While our programs are offered to children ages 8 and up, it is helpful to get them on the wait list when they are much younger to ensure a space is available when they turn 8.

Every June, after membership registration has closed, we are able to assess the possibility of Beginner Courses in September. Once decided, we begin to contact those at the top of our waitlist. It is our policy to allow a maximum of 4 spaces per beginner course to be offered to siblings or children of current Lancer members on the waitlist. Any spaces not taken by current members are then offered to those next on our waitlist.

Please see our various program pages to be added to our waitlist.

For Junior Membership, click here.

For Adult Membership, click here.

For the Junior Beginner course, click here.

For the Adult Beginner course, click here. 

Assessment Ride

When a space opens in our membership, riders with previous experience wishing to ride at Lancers will be asked to participate in an assessment ride. Assessment rides are offered at a cost of $60 dollars. Riders are asked to arrive 45 minutes before their scheduled ride time to meet the barn monitor, get a feel for how things work here at Lancers, and then groom and tack their horse for the lesson. The barn monitor will ensure you know where to find your horse and equipment. The assessment ride will be in a ride for which we feel you will be most suited. If it is a good fit for both parties, we will proceed with the registration process and the rider will become a Lancer! 

Preparing to Join Lancers

For lessons, riders will need:

Attire

  • Closed-toe, hard-soled boots with a small heel. Paddock boots or tall boots are acceptable.

  • ASTM approved helme to Riding pants that are comfortable, stretchy but sturdy (no jeans). Good leggings are a great alternative to breeches!

  • Riders are to wear red shirts (with collars) tucked in and belts that are visible. Official Lancer shirts with logo are available through the office for purchase or exchange.

  • Long hair must be tied back (with a hair net if necessary).

  • Jackets and vests must be either zipped up or removed (flapping jackets are not safe)

  • Clothing should be well fitting and shirts must be tucked in

  • Riding gloves are strongly recommended for protection as well as warmth

  • Hooded sweatshirts and tank tops are not permitted.

Equipment

  • We recommend riders purchase their own crop

  • Some riders will choose to use their own tack cleaning equipment as well.

  • Each horse has their own set of brushes so grooming equipment is not necessary but many riders like to have their own for shows or special occasions. A grooming kit will include:

    • Curry comb

    • Dandy brush

    • Body brush

    • Hoof pick

    • A couple of hand towels

    • All other equipment and tack is provided by the Halifax Lancers