Program Policies
Read through the policies carefully before registering for our programs. Be sure to review the program specifics in the sections below as well. If you have questions, contact office@meadowbrookstables.org.
Weather Policy
Generally, Meadowbrook follows Montgomery County Public Schools Emergency Closure policies. Lessons will be held rain or shine so every student should come dressed to ride. In case of inclement weather, the instructional staff will make a determination as to whether the ring footing and other conditions (eg, snow, ice, lightning, etc.) are conducive to riding. Footing conditions will be posted on the kiosk with the daily ride list. On days that the outdoor ring footing is wet but rideable, jumping classes will split the covered arena and non-jumping classes will ride in the outdoor arenas. On days that the outdoor ring footing is so wet, frozen, or otherwise unsafe for any riding, a structured indoor, unmounted lessons covering an aspect of horsemanship will be substituted for mounted lessons and if it is safe to traverse the driveway to the covered arena, jumping and non-jumping classes will alternate use of the covered arena between fall/spring and winter months. See our weather chart on our policy page for more details. Please note, ring and weather conditions may change in the course of the day and we are not able to provide information regarding unmounted vs mounted lessons prior to the class time. Riders will not be permitted to sign up for makeups in place of an unmounted horsemanship class. If classes are canceled, Meadowbrook will send an email to enrolled riders and update the website homepage.
Weight Policy
Meadowbrook horses can only accommodate riders up to 190 pounds.
Late Arrivals
Riders who arrive more than 15 minutes after their scheduled arrival time may not be permitted to ride in their lesson. Meadowbrook does not offer makeups for lessons missed due to tardiness.
Lesson Absence Policy
If a rider does not provide 24 hour notice to the office and is absent from a lesson, they forfeit the opportunity for a make up. If a rider provides less than 24 hours notice, the cancellation is recorded as an abscence and the rider will not be given the option to makeup the missed lesson. In the event that a group lesson has only 1-2 riders present, the lesson may be shortened to 30 min (1 rider) or 45 min (2 riders).
Horse Care Before & After Lessons. Riders in Walk-Trot and above are expected to care for their horse before and after the lesson. These lessons will have an assistant assigned to their class to help them with grooming and tacking. Please note, preparing for the lesson, particularly in the flat levels (WT, St C, WTC) may take closer to 45 minutes but this time should decrease as the program progresses and riders gain experience working with their lesson ponies!
Riders in Fundamentals and above will not have an assistant assigned to their group, but have access to barn staff and the other assistants/instructors on duty to ask for assistance.
Required Equipment. For safety reasons, Meadowbrook Stables will enforce the proper dress code for all riders. Meadowbrook does not condone the lending of safety equipment. *Riders without proper dress, including footwear and helmet, will not be permitted to ride. See a list of riding gear and grooming supplies here.
Looking for gear? Visit the on-site tack store!
Meadowbrook Stables has a tack shop onsite, j.b.creighton, for all of your rider’s needs. To purchase your items please visit the “mbs barn essentials” section of their website. Call (202) 553-3466 or email them at j.b.creightonstore@gmail.com for more details.
LESSON PROGRAM SPECIFICS
Schedule. School Year lessons are offered Monday-Saturday each week to riders ages 6 and up. Summer lessons are offered Monday-Saturday each week to riders ages 13+.
Flexible make-up policy.Riders are eligible to makeup up to one canceled lesson each eight-week quarter per lesson package (i.e, four makeups total per package) as long as 24-hours’ notice is provided using our Please note, makeups are subject to availability and are not guaranteed. Makeup quarter end dates will be marked on the calendar once distributed. All makeups must be completed by the end of the season.
Cancellations due to illness or minor injury. Individual cancellations due to illness or minor injury may be made up with less than 24 hour notice if a) it falls within the limit per package and b) the office receives a note from a doctor, school nurse, or other medical professional. To receive approval for the makeup, submit the cancellation throught the online form (even if less than 24hr notice is given) and send the office the doctor’s note for our records. You will be able to schedule a makeup using the link provided after completing the online cancellation form or by using the link on our website homepage.
For illnesses or injuries that cause riders to miss more than 1 lesson, please contact the office for makeup options and see “Participation after Rider Injury” section below.
Participation after Rider Injury. If the rider is temporarily unable to participate in lessons (for more than 1 week) due to an injury sustained during the program either at Meadowbrook or elsewhere, the rider must submit a doctor’s note stating he or she has been cleared to ride by a medical professional prior to rejoining a lesson. NO REFUND WILL BE DUE for missed lessons, but every effort will be made to find make-up lessons during the program provided the rider gives adequate notice for the missed lessons. Please note that make-up lessons are not guaranteed and a refund or credit will not be given if make-up lessons are not fulfilled.
Important points for cancellations:
- Any request to reschedule a lesson is considered a cancellation. We are not able to book makeups before a rider cancels a class.
- All makeups must be taken within 4 weeks of the cancelled lesson AND before the end of the School Year Program. Makeups will not be offered in the summer for School Year Program lessons.
- Once a makeup date is confirmed, if the rider misses or cancels the makeup, he or she will not be able to reschedule again.
- If your plans change and you are able to attend your class after cancelling, please contact the office first to confirm the lesson spot is still available.
Refund Policy. School Year riders are only elligible for a partial refund if they withdraw due to a medical limitation that prevents them from riding or because they move away. See your Payment Agreement for details.
Refunds are not available for summer lessons under any circumstances.
CAMP PROGRAM SPECIFICS
Schedule. Camps are offered M-F on a set schedule to riders ages 6-13. Schedule is posted on the Summer Camp page once finalized for the upcoming session.
Make-up policy. We do not offer makeups or refunds for missed Camp days.
Refund policy. Final payment of all tuition is due May 1st. If for any reason you must withdraw from our camp program, we ask that you provide written notice to office@meadowbrookstables.org of your decision.
1) January 1-March 15: You may receive a full refund minus a $50 processing fee per session.
2) March 15-April 1: You may receive a refund of tuition paid minus the deposit.
3) After April 1: Cancellation of sessions will result in a forfeiture of all tuition paid.