Riding Lessons
Winter Semester (Dec. 2024-Jan. 2025) of Horseback Riding Lessons
Click on the link to sign up and learn more about dates, times, cost, etc: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084FA8A728A5FB6-52925197-winter?useFullSite=true#/
We are still offering trial/one-time lessons by appointment based on availability. Lessons at iheartranch are taught on site and on our horses. We also teach lessons (on your horse) outside of iheartranch. If interested, please text me at 979-229-9960.
The signup for the Spring semester (2025) will be available towards the end of the year. Stay tuned!
One time/trial lessons at iheartranch (with our horses) or at your property (your horse)
The easiest way to schedule a one time or a trial lesson is to text Rachel at 979-229-9960. We provide the horse, helmet, location (iheartranch) and a 60 minute lesson. We also provide offsite lessons and training at your property or stable and on your horse. All guidelines (see below) apply to semester and one time/trial lessons. Also, if you need a GIFT CERTIFICATE for someone else for a one time/trial lesson please let us know.
FALL SEMESTER GENERAL INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES (COST, DATES, DRESS CODE, ETC) Updated July 29, 2024
Howdy!
Thank you for your interest in horseback riding lessons at iheartranch! I am excited to share the opportunity to sign up for the entire 10-lesson Fall Semester (August-November) 2024 of riding lessons with you! Please read the information below and understand that by signing up for the Fall Semester, you are agreeing to all of the terms included below.
Note: Once you have signed up below and submitted your payment, please print a copy of this information for your records as the sign up will not be posted the duration of the Semester. The terms and guidelines below apply during the entire duration of the Fall Semester 2024 and do not expire irrespective of the sign up availability online.
ABOUT THE OWNERS AND INSTRUCTOR: My name is Rachel Ibarra and horses have been a part of my life for 22 years! I have taken English and Western riding lessons, competed in horse shows, playdays, college rodeos, jackpots, parades, and grand entries. While majoring in Animal Science at Texas A&M University ('13), my horse Red and I competed in barrel racing as part of the Rodeo Team and I also started teaching riding lessons. Upon graduation, I became a proud Texas public education teacher and started teaching in Bryan ISD in 2013. Currently, I am blessed to be able to teach both, 2nd graders -with whom I share my passion for learning, horses, etc.-, and riding students of all ages through riding lessons at iheartranch on Red, Mr. B., and Pistol! I am also a member of the Brazos Extension Horse Committee. To learn more about how iheartranch started please visit iheartranchbcs.com Follow us on social media! Facebook @iheartranch Instagram @iheartranchbcs YouTube Channel @iheartranchTX
RIDING LESSONS: The following information pertains to riding lessons with the agreed-upon rider. Substituting riders is NOT allowed. Also, splitting lesson time with anyone else other than the agreed-upon rider is NOT allowed.
During lessons, iheartranch provides the use of a lesson horse, tack, a riding helmet (if you forget yours), water, and a treat (if the rider can tell 3 things they learned). Riders also earn a ribbon for each HorseSense Learning Level that they complete (rainbow, red, yellow, green, blue, orange, purple, and teal). It is HIGHLY recommended that you bring your own ASTM/SEI certified horseback riding helmet that has no damaged/missing parts, is less than 5 years old, and has not been involved in a fall from a horse. Each lesson lasts one hour and includes learning to care for and riding a horse (Western). We utilize a combination of approaches and differentiated instruction based on each rider's needs and skills as well as HorseSense Learning Levels to track students' mounted and unmounted progress in the areas of safety, horsemanship, grooming, tacking up, untacking, etc. The more efficient and independent students become at the unmounted part of each lesson, the more time they will have for the mounted part of the lesson.
CURRICULUM: iheartranch uses a modified version of the HorseSense Learning Levels to grow riders.
DATES AND GENERAL INFORMATION: Below you will find the details for the entire Fall Semester (August-November) 2024 which consists of 10 lessons. Please text me for all other one-time events, trial lessons, off site lessons with your horse or any other ranch-related activities including photo shoots as we have internal guidelines that must satisfy rider/horse safety, liability, border privacy, etc.
The first week of the Fall Semester (August-November 2024) is the week of August 19, 2024 and the last week is the week of November 18, 2024 with scheduled off weeks to ensure time for the horses to rest. To see specific times, scroll down to the lesson slots. NOTE: Once you sign up for a day and a time, the lessons will take place on the chosen day and time during scheduled weeks throughout the entire Fall Semester.
Fall Lessons are scheduled for the following weeks:
-August 19
-August 26
-September 9
-September 16
-September 30
-October 7
-October 21
-November 4
-November 11
-November 18
COST: Please remember that by signing up for the Fall Semester, you are committing to the ENTIRE 10-lesson period. Fall tuition is $600 per rider (cash). If paying with Zelle or Venmo, Summer semester tuition is $750 per rider.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Payment is due upon signing up. Failure to pay tuition (in full) will result in the removal of the student from the weekly lesson spot and the spot will become available to other riders.
PAYMENT METHODS: Payment methods accepted are cash ($600), Zelle, ($750) and Venmo ($750). For Zelle, my cell phone number is 979-229-9960. If using Venmo, please MAKE SURE that your transaction is a friends and family transaction (not goods and services), place a horse emoji in the notes section (and nothing else) to avoid an additional $75 fee. My Venmo name is @Rachel-Ibarra-7
Payment is NON-REFUNDABLE and cancellations are NOT allowed. Also, and regardless of the nature of the reason behind it, if you stop coming to the scheduled lessons, we will not be able to provide make-up lessons or provide a refund for the missing lessons. Once again, payment is due in full for the entire semester when you sign up and your spot will be booked once we receive and confirm your payment.
DRESS CODE: Due to safety reasons, all students are required to wear shirts, jeans, pants or leggings and good fitting horseback riding boots (that have a heel). Shorts, dresses, sneakers, sandals, CROCS, rubber boots, hiking boots, swimsuit tops, sports bras, or crop tops etc. are not allowed. For safety reasons, students must wear an ASTM/SEI certified horseback riding helmet.
ARRIVALS OUT OF DRESS CODE AND MAKE UP TIME: If students arrive in time for their lesson but are NOT wearing the required/properly fitting attire and equipment (including boots that stay on the rider while riding with no stirrups), they will be asked to make the appropriate adjustments WITHIN their lesson time. If they are unable to do so they will not be able to participate in their lesson. Also, this lesson will not be refunded and there will not be a makeup opportunity. If you have dress code related questions, please text at least 24 hours prior to the start of the lesson.
WEIGHT LIMIT: To ensure horse and rider safety, the rider's weight limit for Red and Mr. B. may not exceed 200lb. The rider's weight limit for Pistol may not exceed 220lb.
MAKE-UP LESSONS: If a lesson needs to be rescheduled due to inclement weather -AT THE LESSON SITE- (iheartranch’s address is 9072 Werlinger Rd. Bryan, TX 77808), I will text you with a maximum of two make-up opportunities. If it starts raining during the mounted portion of the lesson, unmounted learning will begin and the lesson will continue.
Make-up lesson requests for non-weather related reasons are not guaranteed.
Once you have texted me that you are not coming, your spot will no longer be available to you. In order to be considered for a potential re-scheduled lesson, you must text me (Rachel) at least 24 hours prior to the start time of the scheduled lesson.
Neither iheartranch nor myself are responsible for electrical outages, low signal, out of area networks, construction, flat tires, traffic jams, or any other variables that might prevent you from attending your scheduled lessons or communicating with me regarding weekly or make-up lessons including family vacations, prior commitments, unexpected events, personal/family illness, horse shows, school functions, or any other events/circumstances.
LATE ARRIVALS & NO SHOWS: Students that arrive late to their scheduled lesson will not receive a refund, make up opportunities, or additional time beyond the end of their original scheduled lesson. Mounted instruction is NOT guaranteed to late arrivals. This also applies when a student does not show up for their lesson or when the student does not follow the makeup policy.
WHILE AT THE RANCH (RIDERS, FAMILIES, CONTRACTORS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, ETC.): Every invited visitor at iheartranch falls under the TEXAS LAW (CHAPTER 75A, CIVIL PRACTICE AND REMEDIES CODE) included below the next few paragraphs.
CRYING: In order to ensure rider and the instructor's safety, students who are crying before or during the lesson will not be able to continue with instruction until they regain control of themselves and stop crying. Their lesson will resume when they are able to safely follow directions, communicate, and be around horses again. There will not be a makeup opportunity, extended lesson time, or refund when a student misses time because of crying.
RESTROOM: There is not a bathroom at iheartranch. Students that need to use the bathroom are encouraged to use the bathroom PRIOR or AFTER their lesson at an alternative location other than iheartranch. There will not be a makeup opportunity, extended lesson time, or refund when a student misses time because of having to use the bathroom.
Families are welcome to watch their student’s lesson in their vehicles, bring a folding chairs to sit in the designated area, or sit at one of our picnic tables during lessons. Please arrive NO EARLIER than 15 minutes prior to the start of your lesson. For safety reasons, students and their family members MUST remain in their vehicles or at a picnic table while they wait for their lesson to start. DO NOT approach the horses, barn, arena, instructors, other vehicles, tractors, ranch equipment, fences, or round pen at any point unless they’re directed to do so by the iheartranch instructor.
PETS, FENCES, GATES, SMOKING, VAPING, ETC. Dogs, cats or any other living animals are NOT allowed on the property. Also, climbing over (or going under) any of the fences and gates is strictly prohibited. Smoking, chewing tobacco, and vaping are also strictly prohibited. For safety reasons, students are not allowed to chew gum during their lesson.
SPECIAL FEES: If a student rides in wet/sticky/stained clothes (from urine or anything else) before or during any point of the lesson, they will be charged a $100 tack cleaning fee.
Once you have registered for lessons and submitted your payment, please print a copy of this information as the sign up is not guaranteed to be available online once all slots have been filled. The terms and guidelines below apply during the entire duration of the Summer Semester 2024 and do not expire irrespective of the sign up availability online.
LIABILITY -TEXAS LAW CHAPTER 75A, CIVIL PRACTICE AND REMEDIES CODE-
UNDER TEXAS LAW (CHAPTER 75A, CIVIL PRACTICE AND REMEDIES CODE), AN AGRITOURISM ENTITY IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY INJURY TO OR DEATH OF AN AGRITOURISM PARTICIPANT RESULTING FROM AN AGRITOURISM ACTIVITY. Read the full statute here: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.75A.htm
ADDRESS: iheartranch is located at 9072 Werlinger Rd. Bryan, TX 77808. You can easily find it using Google Maps or by clicking here: https://www.google.com/maps/place/iHeartRanch,+9072+Werlinger+Rd,+Bryan,+TX+77808/@30.8274497,-96.5281645,17z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8645d1dc46505259:0x4c1e5a783a78ac04
ARRIVAL AND GATE(S) INSTRUCTIONS*: Both utility gates at iheartranch must remain closed at all times. Upon arrival at the main gate, type the 4-digit code (provided to you upon payment) followed by the arrows into the keypad. The main gate will open towards the barn. Drive through it slowly until you reach the second gate. Unclip the second gate, open and secure both sides inwardly (towards Werlinger Rd.), drive through the gates, close and secure the gates by clipping the chain around the gates, and park on the gravel at the designated parking spots. Do not drive, turn around or maneuver your vehicle on the grass.
PARKING: Emergency vehicles, owners, boarders, lesson families and friends, service providers and contractors must have access to iheartranch. Parking outside of the property (in front of the gates, on the grass, driveway, along the road, or by the mailboxes) is strictly prohibited. As well, please do not park along the fence line, the driveway or ON the grass. Finally, please do not park behind or in front of other vehicles, including the tractor, horse trailers, mowers, and equipment, or in front of the gates.
DISCLAIMER: Iheartranch is not responsible for ANY damages caused to you or your vehicle by any of the gates, lose debris, fences, horses or other people's vehicles within the property.
*Subject to change
LIABILITY WAIVER A signed and dated liability waiver and social media release will be needed for each rider. Parents/guardians of minors will be required to sign and date the liability waiver on behalf of the rider. The waiver will be provided prior to you prior to or upon arrival to the first lesson. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO READ EVERY SECTION OF THE LIABILITY WAIVER AND ASK IHEARTRANCH INSTRUCTORS IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS PRIOR TO YOUR LESSON.
DURING THE LESSON: It is HIGHLY recommended that the guardian of the rider stay at iheartranch for the entire lesson. Parents/families/guardians/friends accompanying minor riders might leave the sight ONLY upon mutal agreement with the instructor. For safety reasons, parents/families/guardians/friends of the rider should not approach the horses or instruction area.
ONE-TIME TRIAL LESSONS AND/OR OFF-SIRE TRAINING ON YOUR HORSE: Please text me (Rachel) if interested in onte time trial lessons or offsite lessons on your horse.
SOCIAL MEDIA: If you haven't already done so, please check out our social media pages (Facebook, Instagram and YouTube) to learn more about iheartranch and enjoy lots of pictures and videos posted by some of our riders, their families and myself. As well, visit our website at iheartranchbcs.com
Facebook: @iheartranch Instagram: @iheartranchbcs Website: iheartranchbcs.com YouTube: @iheartranchTX
If you have any questions please text me at 979-229-9960.
Thank you and have a great Fall!
Rachel Ibarra
REMINDER: By signing up for lessons electronically, you are agreeing to the aforementioned terms.