Just4Kids Riding Academy

Just4Kids Riding Academy includes riding lessons, introductory horsemanship, and non-riding groundwork. Students take part in activities such as catching, haltering, grooming, saddling, and bridling horses, as well as mounting, steering, stopping, and leading horses through an obstacle course. The program also includes a facility tour, a horse safety talk, lunging, tack and equipment care, light trail riding, and horse themed crafts and games, along with instruction in equine anatomy, nutrition, veterinary care, veterinary medicine, dental care, and shoeing and hoof care.

• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Summer day camps with separate schedules for ages 5–7 and ages 8+, meeting Monday–Thursday or Monday–Wednesday in multi-day weekly sessions
• Price: Ages 8+ Cost $450; Ages 5-7 Cost $375

Riding Academy student activities are focused on promoting good horsemanship both on the ground and in the saddle, and students are hands-on participants in all aspects of the daily routine of horse care. Students are split into small groups for riding lessons and hands-on time with horses, and once they are comfortable with the basics, lessons are tailored to individual needs. Students use their new skills to catch, halter, and saddle their horses on their own under the supervision of an instructor, and helmets are available if a student does not have one.

Summer horse camps include riding and horse themed crafts and games for younger “kiddie” campers, while youth campers follow a hands-on curriculum that includes everything from haltering and leading to veterinary care. Swimming will not be available, and all disciplines, ages, and skill levels are welcome. Horsemanship Merit Badges for Girl Scouts and Brownies are offered, and the barn has a strong family emphasis and often has entire generations coming to watch a lesson.

Malinda Kregoski is the owner and operator of Equine Unlimited Inc. and has over 30 years of experience in the industry, including three years working with Euro Disney, where she played Annie Oakley in the Wild West show. In the summer of 2000, she moved Equine Unlimited, Inc. from her small property in Cameron Park to its current location. Her stated mission for the program is, “I want my students to come out and have fun, while also teaching them the fundamentals of good horsemanship.” Team Equine Unlimited is a four-time winner of the Grebitus Cup.

Equine Unlimited is an educational partner of charter schools servicing Clarksville and Feather River, and Malinda was born and raised in El Dorado County and shares her love of horses with the community. The facility is open year-round, seven days a week, and also offers professional horse training, boarding, leasing, sales, barn birthday parties, and a gazebo and observation area in front of the oversized arena.

Jeans or riding pants are required, and boots must go above the ankle and have a small heel, with no high-heeled boots or athletic shoes. All students must bring their own well-labeled lunch and sports bottles for water, with refrigeration provided and pre-packaged snacks planned, and food may not be shared. Helmets will be available if a student does not have one and may also be fitted and purchased at local tack and feed stores listed by the program. Sunscreen, a hat, and a pair of sunglasses are recommended, and everything should be labeled with name and phone number for easy return, as Equine Unlimited is not responsible for lost or misplaced items.

Last updated March 10, 2026.