Elvenstar Riding Academy and Camps

Elvenstar Riding Academy and Camps offers Summer Horse Camp, group lessons, private lessons, lesson programs, specialty programs, and show training. Children can take part in activities such as Miniature Magic to meet and play with miniature horses, learn to safely groom, decorate the ponies, and play games. The program states that Elvenstar is a place for horse people and a recreational equestrian facility, and that it is a place to learn to ride.

• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Hour of operation Tuesday–Friday 8am–6pm, Saturday–Sunday 8am–2pm, in a four-session series for Miniature Magic
• Price: Miniature Magic Ages 3–5 four-session series $75

Through hard work and determination, Elvenstar Riding Academy and Camps came to life over a quarter of a century ago. The leadership team includes CEO and Founder James Hagman, who is also listed as Founder, Head Coach and Instructor for all programs, along with staff members Lisa Benefield in business office and accounting, instructor Kaycee Kurtze-Bischoff, and Regional Show Director, Coach and Instructor Kay Altheuser. The program’s stated mission is to emphasize good horsemanship qualities such as compassion, respect, patience, a sense of responsibility, a desire to learn, and a positive attitude, with a teaching style described as positive and enthusiastic and based on classical horsemanship, focusing on communication between horse and rider and the basics of riding as building blocks of correct riding skills. The program notes that it offers various lesson programs and specialty programs for riders of all levels, with a curriculum that promotes and develops individual excellence as an equestrian in hunter, jumper, and equitation arenas, and that its summer day camp has been featured in local papers and magazines. Listed recent Elvenstar champions include riders such as Sofia Brocca, Paige Walkenbach, Nicole McMillion, Lily Grosz, Bella Liu, Adriana Villegas, Hamira, Abby Steller, and Summerhouse Farm's Gavroche in 2021 and 2022 competitions and finals. The program states that Elvenstar is not a licensed special needs facility and that it reserves the right to refuse service to anyone. All Academy riders must provide their own ASTM/SEI certified equestrian riding helmet and safety vest, as well as spurs and crop, and follow the riding academy dress code of neat hair off the face, paddock boots with half chaps or tall riding boots, a collared shirt tucked in with no tank tops, and riding tights, breeches, or jodhpurs.

Last updated March 23, 2026.