Where learning moves out of the classroom and into the barn

Riding Program

An integral part of the Oldfields experience since 1867, the Oldfields Riding Program is dedicated to inspiring our riders to pursue a path of continued growth. Our goals are to develop and enhance a yearning for knowledge, to value the character of the horse and the integrity of the sport, to honor the path of the individual, and to savor the process of learning and the lessons discovered from our relationships with horses.

When you visit us, you will find out why we say our riding program is “where learning moves outside of the classroom and into the barn.”

We develop the whole horse person. Our riders are involved in all aspects of daily life at the barn. They learn how to care for the horses, how to develop their riding, and how to cultivate the relationship between horse and rider. With three different trainers, our riders benefit from a vast wealth of knowledge from across different disciplines.

AT OLDFIELDS, THERE IS NO "TYPICAL LESSON”

Our lessons are tailored to the needs and goals of each individual. Some days, our riders might drill gymnastics or practice a dressage test. Others, they will experience the thrill of galloping in an open field or introducing their horse to working equitation obstacles.

Our accomplished and knowledgeable trainers draw from across different disciplines to create an exceptional well-rounded curriculum. Above all else, we value horsemanship and our equine partners. Our barn is an inclusive place that strives to create a safe, inviting, and supportive environment in which all riders can grow.

IEA Equestrian Team

Oldfields School Riding is excited to offer hunt seat and dressage Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) teams. IEA is a fantastic opportunity to develop competitive riding skills, ride many different horses, form new friendships, and prepare for riding at a collegiate level.

We compete in hunter/jumper, eventing, combined test, and dressage competitions including USEF/USHJA Rated and local shows.

Our program features the following teams: Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) hunt-seat team, IEA dressage team, American National Riding Commission (ANRC) team, and an eventing team. We offer many opportunities to ride off-campus at nearby farms and regularly bring in outside trainers to introduce our riders to activities such as team penning, polo, working equitation, and more.

In addition, we are thrilled to offer foxhunting with nearby Elkridge-Harford Hunt Club and Green Spring Valley Hounds. We love arranging field trips to volunteer or spectate at the numerous nearby events including the MARS Maryland 5 Star, MCTA Horse Trials, Maryland Hunt Cup, the Preakness Stakes, among others.

Amy Phillips,
Director of Riding PhillipsA@oldfieldsschool.org

Meet our Horses

Baloumerang SV "Boomer"

Bay gelding, Oldenburg, 16.2 hands
After a diverse career, winning the Five-Year-Old Jumper Finals, the Six-Year-Old Jumper Finals, and then competing in the Junior Hunter Division, we are thrilled to have Boomer here teaching riders who are interested in the hunters and equitation divisions.
Watch Boomer win the 5-year-old USHJA Young Jumper Championships Qualifier
Belmonte "Monte"

Bay gelding, Dutch Warmblood, 15.3 hands
Monte was a High Children's Jumper and 3' Equitation superstar before his new career as a lesson horse. His owner, Gabrielle Benier '16, bought him while she was a student and he never left. He is also a fantastic mount for trails, cross country, and dressage.
Celtic Creek's Funny Girl "LZ"

Black mare, Welsh cross, 14.2 hands
LZ is everybody’s favorite pony. After a successful career in the Large Pony division and several trips to Pony Finals, she now competes in the Children’s Hunter Pony and Low Jumper divisions. She was also voted “IEA Zone 3 Regional Best Horse/Pony” by the coaches in our region. She also enjoys cross country and eventing!
Changzhu

Chestnut gelding, Warmblood, 17.1 hands
Chang spent the winter before coming to Oldfields winning the 1.35 Jumper Division in Gulfport. He has found a new career at Oldfields as an equitation horse as well as still competing in the jumpers.
Watch Chang in the 1.30m Jumpers at HITS Ocala.
Fessur de Bognar "Fez"

Bay gelding, Hungarian Warmblood, 16.2 hands
Fez competed successfully in the 1.35m jumpers before arriving at OS. He is lovely to ride, has a charming personality, and is a very competitive horse in the Jumper ring!
Watch Fez in the 1.25m jump-off at Palm Beach International.
Molly Bloom

Bio to come
Promineo "Goose"

Bay gelding, Dutch Warmblood, 16.3 hands
Goose was a 1.30m jumper in Europe (known as Gonzales) before coming to the U.S. to be a hunter. We are thrilled to have him in the program. He is lovely to ride, well-balanced, and a e enjoys riding out.
Rossignol "Spyder"

Black mare, Warmblood, 16.2 hands
Spyder has competed in the Low Hunters and was a popular IHSA draw. She is now competing in eventing as well as the Hunter and Jumper divisions.
Royal Highland "Theo"

Bay gelding, Warmblood, 16.1 hands
Theo came to us after competing in the National Derbies and 1.15m Jumpers. He is now competing in the Children's and Junior Hunter Divisions. He is an affectionate and sweet horse with a strong work ethic.
Rrasmodias "Raz"

Chestnut gelding, Hanoverian, 16.2 hands
Raz competed in the Adult Hunter Division. usually in the top of the hack class. Raz is competing in the Children's Hunter Divisions and Equitation Divisions and is a favorite riding out cross country.
Watch Raz in action.
Showtime de Pleville "Scooby"

Bay gelding, Selle Francais, 16 hands
Scooby had a successful career abroad as a Grand Prix jumper in France, but now his passion is teaching riders of all levels dressage and lower-level jumping. He has a huge personality for a little horse, and is a barn favorite!
Watch Scooby competing in France.
Umberto "Umbie"

Grey gelding, Belgian Warmblood, 16.2 hands
Umberto came to Oldfields after a successful run as a Junior Hunter and National Hunter Derby competitor. He won the Silver Stirrup Award given by the USEF to the high-scoring Low Children's Hunter in 2019. Now, he is a successful and competitive dressage mount proven through first level.
Watch Umbie’s trip in the Junior Handy Hunter class at Aiken.
Veneto

Chestnut gelding, Oldenburg, 16.3 hands
Milo has competed in all three rings and loves schooling cross country as well. He will be competing in the Hunter Division as well as starting his eventing career with Oldfields.
The Watchman "Spy"

Chestnut gelding, Arabian, 14.3 hands
Spy had a wonderful career competing in the Arabian World as a hunter. He now jumps around the 2’, has wonderful dressage training, and is a favorite IEA draw.

Horse Donations

All of our wonderful horses are generously donated or leased to us and remain our highest priority at all times. Our horses receive high-quality care, individualized nutrition plans, and supplemental training to support them throughout their new careers. We periodically accept new donations into our program. All gifts are tax-deductible. For more information on donations, please contact Amy Phillips, Director of Riding.

Equestrian Facilities

Welcoming Courtyard Style Barn

With 25 stalls, a newly built tack room, meeting space, and a spectacular view; the barn is a second home for many of our riders. Non-riding students enjoy visiting to relax among friends and animals.

Welcoming Courtyard Style Barn

State-of-the-art Indoor Arena

Perched on top of Riding Hill, our 110' x 200' indoor arena with Eurofelt Prime Footing is loved by riders and horses. When not in use by our own riders, we are delighted to rent it to the wider equestrian community.

State-of-the-art Indoor Arena

Riding Hill

Our beloved Riding Hill is home to our modified cross country course, open fields for hacking, and access to an adjacent 300+ acre property. It also features some of the best views of campus.

Upper Riding Ring

Our upper ring is a spacious 150' x 250' arena perfect for jumper courses. It features flexible fence lines to jump in and out of the ring onto Riding Hill.

Lower Riding Ring

Our 95' x 200' lower ring, the Lana DuPont ’57 Riding Arena with GGT footing, is a multi-use arena that can accommodate a regulation large dressage arena, hunter/jumper courses, clinics, competitions, and lessons.

Brand New Shedrow Barn Name

The newly built Anna Austen McCulloch barn features six additional oversized, airy stalls for our horses as well as an adjoining hay barn with ample storage space.

FAQs

Students may ride up to five days a week, with leasers/boarders able to ride six days/week. Students in good academic standing may use an academic free period for riding, or may choose to ride after school. We also have options for students who wish to ride only three times per week.
25% of our students ride at least one trimester during the school year.
We welcome all levels of riders. Students range from beginners to riders who have years of riding and showing experience. Our barn is an inclusive place that strives to create a safe, inviting, and supportive environment in which all riders can grow.
We have 25 wonderful school horses that are used in our program. Read the bios of our amazing and talented school horses.
Yes! You are allowed to ride one, two, or all three trimesters to fulfill your required sports commitment. Riding is counted as a team sport towards graduation requirements.
All questions concerning riding fees, please email Amy Phillips

Leasing and Boarding

Leasing

We have many wonderful horses appropriate for all levels and disciplines available for lease to Oldfields students. While leasing is not required to participate in the riding program, students who wish to show regularly must lease a school horse or bring their own. Leasing is also a fantastic option for committed riders who wish to strengthen their bond with a particular horse, are considering horse ownership in the future, or want to seriously advance in their riding.

We are happy to walk riders and their families through the process and finances of finding the appropriate horse for their rider’s goals. Please contact Amy Phillips, Director of Riding, to learn more about leasing opportunities.

Boarding

We gladly welcome students in bringing their own horse and boarding at our barn. Students who board their horses must participate in the Riding Program during all trimesters in which their horse is on campus. We provide high-quality care and work closely with families to design a custom-tailored nutrition and training program for each horse.