Legend Acres Riding & Horsemanship Programs AZ
West Valley Wittmann, Surprise, and Sun City AZ
Legend Acres was honored to be featured on FOX 10 Phoenix's CareForce segment, highlighting our founder Kristi May, a Combat-Disabled Army Veteran, and the life-changing work we do through equine therapy and assistance dog programs.
🎥 Watch Legend Acres featured on FOX 10’s CareForce!
Equestrian Training Provider of the Year
Legend Acres has been recognized as the 2026 Equestrian Training Provider of the Year by Business Circle Magazine for excellence in horse training, rider education, community impact, and leadership in force-free, relationship-based equine programs.
Founded by Kristi May, MS, CVPM, LVMT, ABCDT, CHA Certified Riding Instructor, Legend Acres serves riders, veterans, first responders, families, and individuals seeking ethical, science-based horsemanship and human-animal bond focused learning experiences.
Legend Acres Riding & Horsemanship Programs
OPEN BARN HORSEMANSHIP PROGRAM ORIENTATION
Legend Acres Wittmann, AZ
Start Your Horsemanship Journey Here
Every successful rider starts with a strong foundation.
Open Barn Horsemanship Program Orientation is the required first step for new students, parents, and families entering horseback riding lessons, horsemanship camps, and educational equine programs at Legend Acres.
This one-hour orientation helps students and families understand our programs, safety standards, communication systems, and advancement pathways before beginning lessons.
Whether your goal is recreational riding, horsemanship education, youth leadership development, Riding with Honor, or equine-assisted learning, Orientation helps ensure every student begins with confidence and clear expectations.
During Orientation You Will:
• Meet the horses
• Meet instructors and staff
• Learn lesson expectations and safety procedures
• Explore Rainbow Level and Red Level pathways
• Learn about camps, certifications, and advancement opportunities
• Access student learning materials
• Join communication and tracking systems
• Ask questions before beginning lessons
Parents & Guardians
Parents or guardians of minor students are required to attend Orientation.
This allows families to understand student expectations, communication procedures, safety requirements, and program pathways.
Red Level Camp Students
Students enrolled in Red Level Camp Session 1 will receive:
• Horse assignments
• Camp journals
• Camp logbooks
• Leadership assignments
Registration Required
Pre-registration is required for all attendees.
Required Waiver
All students, parents, guardians, family members, spectators, and volunteers remaining on-site must have a completed liability waiver on file before arrival.
https://bit.ly/LegendAcresHorsebackRidingLiabilityWaiver
Event Information
Open Barn Horsemanship Program Orientation
First Sunday of Each Month
Register Here
https://www.legend-acres.com/arizona-horseback-riding-lessons-training
Trauma-Informed • Force-Free • CHA Certified Instruction
Western & English | Horsemanship| Equine Therapy | Camps
Serving Phoenix West Valley Located in Wittmann, AZ
Legend Acres Equine Services: Riding with Purpose
Explore riding lessons, training, therapy programs, and more—all in one place.
We offer a wide variety of horse training and riding lessons in Arizona, all led by CHA-certified riding instructors with decades of experience in Western and English disciplines. All lessons are available for riders ages 3 and up, with tack and ASTM/SEI-certified helmets provided for every session. At our facility or at your home. We will come to you.
Retreats and Equine Experiences at
Legend Acres Wittmann, AZ
🌟 Featured Program:
Riding with Honor
The Riding with Honor program at Legend Acres is a special initiative that provides discounted horse training and riding lessons to Veterans, Active-Duty Military, First Responders, Healthcare Workers, Teachers, and their families. This mission-driven program honors service by offering healing and empowerment through horsemanship.
🔔 Please Note: A valid Horses4Heroes Membership is required for all
donors, sponsors, and participants in the Riding with Honor Program.
Trauma-Informed Groundwork for Emotional Healing, Confidence & Connection
Rediscover peace, purpose, and personal strength through our Healing with Horses programs—offered in both supportive group sessions and deeply personalized one-on-one formats. Led by trauma-informed, certified professionals, these non-riding experiences are designed for Veterans, First Responders, caregivers, and individuals seeking relief from stress, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion.
Whether you choose the camaraderie of our 7-week group series or the privacy of individual equine wellness sessions, you’ll find a safe space to build trust, develop mindfulness, and connect through the powerful horse-human bond.
🟢 No horse experience needed
🟢 Ground-based activities (no riding required)
🟢 Journals, materials, and horse equipment provided
🟢 Force-Free, Fear-Free, Relationship-Based
🟢 Located at Legend Acres – Wittmann, AZ
Certified Horsemanship & Rider Level Advancement
Earn nationally recognized certifications while deepening your bond with horses. Legend Acres offers a progressive Horsemanship and CHA Level Program designed to build safe, confident, and knowledgeable riders—from foundational skills to advanced techniques.
Whether you're a beginner, a parent of a horse-crazy kid, or preparing for a career in equine care or instruction, our CHA-certified instructors guide you step-by-step through each level.
🟢 $100 per level certification
🟢 Learn riding, groundwork, tack, grooming, and safety
🟢 Perfect for homeschool enrichment and 4-H development
🟢 Ages 6 to adult – English & Western available
🎓 Build skills. Earn credentials. Ride with confidence.
Kids’ Horsemanship Camps,
Riding Lessons & Equine Therapy
Empower your child with confidence, compassion, and hands-on horse experience in our Kids’ Horsemanship Camps and Riding Programs—offered year-round in Surprise and Wittmann, AZ.
Led by CHA-certified instructors for maximum safety and insurance coverage, our programs focus on force-free, relationship-based learning tailored to each child’s level. Kids ride bareback, English, and Western, starting with strong foundations in balance, body awareness, and communication.
🟣 Camp available during Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter Breaks
🟣 Includes grooming, groundwork, mounted lessons, and horse care
🟣 Equine therapy available in group and private sessions for emotional growth
🟣 Ideal for homeschoolers, first-time riders, and horse-loving kids
🟣 All tack and ASTM/SEI-certified helmets provided
🟣 Lessons available at our facility or in your own backyard
🟣 Lessons start at age 3 and up
🟣 We accept ESA and participate in Class Wallet for all programs
💲 Camp Pricing
💲 Lesson Pricing:
$35 per 30-minute lesson
$55 per hour lesson
Package Deal: $175 for 5 (30-min) lessons | $250 for 5 (1-hour) lessons
💲 Therapy Pricing:
$35–$60 group therapy sessions
$175 private therapy sessions
📚 Where confidence grows—one ride at a time.
Equine Enrichment Mentoring
Youth and Adult Equine Programs
Read Your Way To The Barn™
Summer Reading Adventure 2026 Surprise, AZ
READ YOUR WAY TO THE BARN™
Read a Story.
Discover a Story.
Become Part of a Story.
Every story begins with curiosity.
Some stories are found in books.
Some stories are found through discovery.
And some stories are waiting at the barn.
This summer, Legend Acres is partnering with the Surprise Public Library Summer Reading Program to help connect reading, imagination, discovery, and horses.
The 2026 Summer Reading theme, Unearth a Story™, encourages readers to explore history, animals, science, archaeology, dinosaurs, discovery, and the stories waiting to be uncovered all around us. Libraries across the country are using the theme to inspire curiosity, learning, and exploration.
At Legend Acres, we believe every horse has a story.
Every reader has a story.
Every family has a story.
As families participate in the Summer Reading Program, they may earn opportunities to continue their story beyond the page through horse experiences and horsemanship adventures.
Reading builds knowledge.
Experience builds confidence.
Connection creates memories.
WHAT IS READ YOUR WAY TO THE BARN™?
Read Your Way To The Barn™ is Legend Acres' summer reading partnership initiative designed to encourage reading, curiosity, learning, and family engagement.
The program connects books and discovery with real-world experiences through horses.
Children and families are encouraged to participate in the Summer Reading Program while exploring stories about animals, adventure, science, history, imagination, and discovery.
Because some discoveries happen in books.
And some happen at the barn.
SUMMER READING ADVENTURE PRIZES
Throughout the summer, participants may have opportunities to earn:
🐴 Weekly Horse Experiences
🏆 Rainbow Level Horsemanship Camp Grand Prize
Rainbow Level Camp
Open to New and Existing Students
Ages 6–12
July 30–31, 2026
Students learn:
• Horse safety
• Grooming and horse care
• Leading and handling
• Horse colors and breeds
• Horse science
• Confidence-building activities
• Beginner riding skills
• Horsemanship games and challenges
WHY READING MATTERS
Reading helps children:
• Build vocabulary
• Strengthen imagination
• Improve confidence
• Develop curiosity
• Prevent summer learning loss
Summer reading programs across the country use the Unearth a Story™ theme to encourage exploration, discovery, and lifelong learning through books and educational activities.
At Legend Acres, we see many of those same skills develop through horsemanship.
Curiosity.
Observation.
Communication.
Confidence.
Responsibility.
Both reading and horses encourage students to keep learning.
WHAT STORY WILL YOUR
FAMILY UNCOVER THIS SUMMER?
Read a Story.
Discover a Story.
Become Part of a Story.
Join the Summer Reading Program
🏷️ Legend Acres Horseback Riding Lessons & Training Pricing
ClassWallet Direct Vendor for ESA-Funded Horseback Riding Lessons in Wittmann, Surprise, and West Valley Phoenix, AZ
Legend Acres – Arizona ESA Program Approved & ClassWallet Direct Vendor for Equine Therapy, Horsemanship, and Educational Riding Programs
💡Legend Acres is a ClassWallet Direct Vendor and registered provider with Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) Program,
proudly serving Wittmann, Surprise, and the West Valley Phoenix area.
We accept ClassWallet payments for eligible students participating in ESA-funded horseback riding lessons, horsemanship camps, therapy workshops, and equine-assisted learning programs.
Our youth programs—including Resilient Rider, Rainbow Rider, and CHA curriculum workbooks—are designed to support confidence, communication, and emotional growth through hands-on horse experiences.
Families using ESA funds via ClassWallet can apply them directly to Legend Acres for approved lessons, camps, and educational materials.
How ESA and ClassWallet Works:
- Step 1 – Schedule Your SessionContact Legend Acres to schedule your horseback riding lessons, horsemanship camps, equine-assisted therapy sessions, or wellness workshops.We serve Wittmann, Surprise, and the West Valley Phoenix area with both mounted and unmounted programs designed for children, adults, and veterans.
- Step 2 – Choose Your ExperienceSelect from a variety of Equine-Assisted Interventions (EAI), including:
Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) – build communication, trust, and leadership.
Equine-Assisted Education (EAE) – hands-on, curriculum-based learning using CHA, Resilient Rider, and Rainbow Rider programs.
Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT) – trauma-informed sessions supporting emotional regulation and confidence.
Equine-Assisted Recreation (EAR) – safe, positive mounted and ground activities for personal growth.
Wellness Experiences – including Yoga with Horses, Sound Healing with Horses, mindfulness workshops, and somatic breathwork to reduce stress and restore balance.
- Step 3 – Receive Your Invoice and Funding OptionsOnce your lessons, workshops, or camps are scheduled, you’ll receive a detailed invoice that can be submitted and paid through ClassWallet.Legend Acres is a ClassWallet Direct Vendor and registered Arizona ESA Program Provider, allowing families to use Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) funds for:
Horseback riding lessons and horsemanship camps
Equine-assisted learning, therapy, and education programs
CHA curriculum books and educational materials
Yoga and sound healing sessions with horses
- Step 4 – Use ESA Funds or Private PaymentESA funds can be applied directly through ClassWallet for eligible children.Private payment options are available for adult and family programs.
- Step 5 – Contact Our Office for SupportFor invoicing, payment details, or ClassWallet instructions, contact us directly.Call or text 931-516-3064 (Mon–Fri 10 AM–4 PM MST) or email Info@Legend-Acres.com
Private Horseback Riding Lessons
Experience expert horseback riding lessons in Surprise and Wittmann, AZ, with CHA-certified instructors for riders of all ages and skill levels.
$35 per 30 minutes | $55 per hour 💲 Package Deal: $175 for 5 (30-min) lessons | $250 for 5 (1-hour) lessons
Private Horse Training
Get personalized horse training services at your location or through our full-service board and train program in Arizona.
$75 per hour (plus travel) 🐴 Board & Train Program: $1,200/month
Horsemanship Camps
Join our fun and educational horsemanship camps in Surprise and Wittmann, AZ—offered during Spring Break, Fall Break, Summer Break, and Christmas Break! Perfect for kids and teens to build confidence, learn horse care, and enjoy hands-on riding experience with CHA-certified instructors.
$75 per day | $250 per multi-day camp package
Equine Therapy Sessions
Experience equine-assisted therapy in Arizona designed to support emotional growth, confidence, and overall well-being for children, adults, Veterans, and anyone seeking healing.
We offer children's group sessions, private therapy, Veteran group sessions, and private Veteran sessions—all open to anyone in need of therapeutic support.
$35–$60 for group sessions | $175 private sessions
🐎 Book Your
Session Today
Ready to get in the saddle and experience the magic of horsemanship?
All horseback riding lessons at Legend Acres begin with a brief phone consultation to ensure the best fit for you or your child. Once we’ve chatted, we’ll help you schedule your first lesson and guide you through the process.
⚠️ Reminder: A Horses4Heroes membership is required to participate in Riding with Honor and to receive program discounts. This applies to all sponsors, donors, and participants.
Why Choose Legend Acres?
Experience compassionate, expert-led horsemanship in a welcoming environment designed for every rider and horse.
CHA Certified & Licensed Instructors
Our certified professionals ensure safe, structured, and skill-building lessons for all ages and experience levels.
Force-Free, Fear-Free Training Philosophy
We use positive, science-backed methods that build trust and communication between horse and rider.
Community-Oriented, Welcoming Environment
Legend Acres is a supportive, inclusive community where students of all backgrounds feel at home.
Customized Programs for Every Rider & Horse
Whether you're a beginner or advanced, our lessons and training plans are personalized to meet your unique goals.
Proud Supporter of Veterans &
Community Heroes
We honor and give back to Veterans, First Responders, Teachers, and Healthcare Workers through our Riding with Honor program.
👉 Ready to ride with purpose?
Legend Acres is an elite riding instructor in the Wittmann, Surprise, Wickenburg, North Phoenix, Peoria, Glendale, Waddell, Sun City, Sun City West, Litchfield Park, Buckeye, Goodyear, Avondale, Laveen, Tolleson, Phoenix, Youngstown, West Valley AZ riding instructors directory on NewHorse.com.
