Wits End Equestrian Centre
Intro Page
Wits End was established in 1983 by Mary Mattos. Since then, Wits End riders have trained and competed in dressage, local fairs, showjumping, Canadian Pony Club, OCTRA long distance rides, eventing, and mounted games (PPG). Mary volunteered as a 4-H Horse Club Leader from 1988 to 1998, and has also served as Regional Dressage Chair and Education Chair for Central Ontario Region of Canadian Pony Club.
Wits End offers a range of services including weekly riding lessons, coaching for the show circuit, training, and instructional camps. Our Day Camp program offers an excellent introduction to riding for juniors. We also have programs for more advanced riders and we have talented horses available for riders who wish to compete.
In the past some riders and parents have commented that they 'just' want to ride for recreation and don't want to learn all the "proper stuff". In response to this Mary offers specialized coaching for recreational riders because, out there on the trails your horse will encounter all sorts of obstacles and challenges that "show" riders and horses never have to deal with. Mary feels that everyone needs to learn to ride correctly for their enhanced safety as well as out of consideration for the horse.
Mary's daughter, Megan, is an Affiliate member of Canadian Pony Club and has tested up to the HA Level. Megan has competed in all disciplines and has trained her buddy "Freddy the Freak" since he was 4 years old and she was 10. Freddy competed up to 4th Level Dressage before Megan switched to her new horse Andy. Freddy is now being used for lessons as a "schoolmaster" and is competing at lower levels with students who are gaining valuable competition experience.
Wits End has an indoor arena, outdoor sand ring, access to miles of local trails including one that crosses the Indian River, and a heated room that is used as a viewing room, tack room and classroom. We have a large library of books, magazines and videos "All About Horses". We occasionally organize 'pot luck' gatherings to watch videos together so that we can discuss them and learn.
We are about 10 minutes from Lakefield and 20 to 30 mins from Peterborough depending which way you come. If you are interested in learning to ride well we have some super lesson horses ready to help you out.
Our students as beginners tend to form strong attachments to their favourite horses, especially those that help them develop confidence in the early stages. Riders stay with us for many years and feel a sense of "ownership" and so, very much appreciate the fact that as they progress and outgrow the starter horses they can visit all their favourites.
When you follow the links to our camp, lesson and other pages, you will have an opportunity to view pictures of our farm and our horses, as well as Wits End riders in action. If you have any questions, please use our email link.
Our rate schedule is available on our "Lessons" page.
We are located close to Lakefield, Ontario, Canada.
Out of courtesy to our clients we ask that all visitors contact us by phone or email before dropping by the farm.
Visitors are most welcome! When you contact us we'll give you detailed directions to our location.