Horsemanship 101 Classes

Do you love horses and want to learn more about them? RBR offers a four-lesson course that will teach you about the nature and habits of horses including their diet, safety, health, handling, and care. You'll learn how to brush, groom, bridle, saddle, lead, and care for a horse. In this class you will be working hands-on with horses and even go on a trail ride!

The class is for children ages 6 to 14. Space limited to 6 participants per session. The class is co-sponsored by the City of Pasadena Human Services & Recreation Department. See the Events Calendar for the next scheduled class. We are also working on developing a Horsemanship 102 class teaching more advanced skills, as well as horsemanship classes for grownups! For more information, call instructor Alexis Young at 626-590-9262.

Learning with Horses Program

Learning with Horses is a horsemanship class that was created for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Pasadena, inspired by the Horsemanship 101 class.  The class meets every Thursday afternoon from 4 pm to 5 pm for eight weeks.  Ten children from the Boys and Girls club attend each session with a supervising staff member to learn about horses in hands-on groundwork lessons.  Some of the topics covered include grooming, the parts of the horse, and the difference between English and Western riding styles. 

For some children, the class is an exciting first introduction to horses.  For other children with family members who own horses, the class is an opportunity to enrich their knowledge and appreciation for these majestic animals.  On the final two sessions, the children have the opportunity to ride as a grand finale to the class.

Horse Related Art Programs

Many RBR members are artists and educators, and RBR has a long tradition of hosting groups of children for art classes. Beginning in Spring 2008, in cooperation with the City of Pasadena Human Services and Recreation Dept, two new and exciting classes will be offered by artist, teacher, and equestrian Patty Sue Jones. In "Art of the Hahamongna Watershed Park" students will hike through the Park from Rose Bowl Riders to the Flint Wash Bridge with art supplies and drawing boards, observing the variety, beauty, and serenity of the flora and fauna of the park. They will create paintings, prints, drawings, and multimedia sculptures inspired by this natural treasure. In "Art of the Horse," students will view the International Child Art Exhibit of Horses on display in the RBR clubhouse. They will tour the barns and meet and observe the horses, and will have the opportunity to create paintings, drawings, prints, and handmade collage books. See the Events Calendar for the current class schedule.

Girl Scouts Bronze Award Project

Pasadena Girl Scout Troop 493 has installed bird nesting boxes around the grounds at RBR as part of their Bronze Award project. The nesting boxes were hand-built by the girls specifically for the population of Western Bluebirds that frequents RBR, and for the Oak Titmouse, common to Southern California oak forests. Both are cavity-nesters. After installing the nesting boxes, the girls re-landscaped the area immediately surrounding the nesting boxes with California native grasses and spring wildflowers, to provide nesting material and food for the Bluebirds and Titmice. The girls will also be monitoring the boxes as the birds (hopefully) begin nesting. The nesting season begins in January.

Junior Girl Scouts Horse Fan Badge

Local Junior Girl Scouts can earn their Horse Fan badge at RBR. Please email us at rosebowlriders_info@yahoo.com to inquire about fees or to arrange a visit.

Participation in Community Events

RBR members participate in local parades such as the La Canada Memorial Days Parade, the Altadena Old-Fashioned Days Parade and the Tournament of Roses Parade. We take horses to local community events for children to sit on and people to pet, such as at Pasadena's La Pintoresca Park Family Festival (since 2005), and District 3 Councilmember Chris Holden's annual Block Party. RBR members and horses have also been present at the Blessing of the Animals in Olvera Street for many years, and have served as drawing models at the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.

Horse Shows, Play Days, and Clinics

RBR hosts three Horse Shows, a Play Day and countless clinics each year. These events are all open to the public for participation, and the Shows and Play Days are free to come and watch. Clinics are also open to the public for viewing but most clinicians do charge a minimal audit fee. Please see our Events Calendar for upcoming events and online premiums for the Shows and Play Days.

We hope you'll participate and attend these classes and events! We're currently working on developing more youth programs, including programs in partnership with Outward Bound Adventures, the Pasadena Police Activities League, and NATHA, and look forward to further expanding our Community Programs. Contact us at rosebowlriders_info@yahoo.com if you are interested in participating in one of our programs or helping to set up a new one!