Both Riding Club and Therapeutic Riding Lessons at Sunrise cost $44 for a one hour group lesson, a 45 minute semi-private or 30 minute private. Participants must register for a semester at a time. Most semesters are 9 – 12 weeks in lengths.
- Individuals with special needs must complete a Rider package, which contains a Physician Referral & Individual Profile, a Release and Indemnity, a Photo Release, and a Degree of Bodily Contact Form. Contact Sunrise to receive a package mailed to you if you cannot print these forms.
- Once the completed paper work is received, an assessment visit will be arranged at Sunrise with the head instructor and one of our medical consultants.
- Acceptance into the program will be decided based on the outcome of all of the above.
Yes, we have “Riding Club” for experienced riders ages 8 years and up. This is an integrated program – participants must be able to ride independently (without volunteer assistance), and some riders with special needs join “Riding Club” once they have achieved this goal.
Certainly, we have many adult riders with special needs.
Yes, during July and August Sunrise offers integrated summer day camps: Riding Camp and Farm Discovery Camp. For more information on our various camp programs check out our camps page here.
- Riding Instructors at Sunrise are certified with the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association and with Equine Canada.
- Client goals are set with input from a consultant Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist and/or Speech and Language Pathologist.
- Staff and Instructors attend clinics, workshops and seminars frequently to remain current in their field of expertise.
- All staff have current First Aid and CPR.
- Safety of riders, volunteers and horses is of utmost concern at Sunrise. Riders must wear ASTM approved helmets (provided by Sunrise) and proper footwear (sturdy shoes or boots with a separate heel). Adaptive stirrups are available if rider cannot wear an appropriate shoe or boot.
The Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA) is the only governing body of therapeutic riding in Canada. CanTRA member centres are inspected regularly to ensure a high level of safety standards. CanTRA member centres purchase liability insurance through CanTRA to provide adequate coverage and ensure national standards of safety. Sunrise must pay a fee per rider to cover the cost of the insurance. CanTRA offers a national certification program for therapeutic riding instructors as follows:
- Canadian Therapeutic Riding Basic Instructor (CTRBI)
- Canadian Therapeutic Riding Intermediate Instructor (CTRII)
- Canadian Therapeutic Riding Senior Instructor (CTRSI)
- Canadian Therapeutic Riding Coach (CTRC)
For more information about CanTRA, please visit them at www.cantra.ca
By collecting a membership fee, Sunrise is able to designate some of those funds to cover CanTRA insurance fees and CanTRA membership fee.
Sunrise has a “Scholarship Fund” for riders with special needs for financially-marginalized. For more information about our scholarship fund please click here.