In West Tisbury, just down a dirt road, lies a peaceful, beautiful, working horse farm named
White Stone Equestrian (WSE). White Stone was founded in 2018 and is home to just over 20 horses, a mini horse named Popcorn, and a barn cat named Baby. It offers a robust lesson program for all ages year-round, and when the summer comes, it offers fun-filled summer programs. The camps are typically weeklong, with opportunities to do daily drop-ins (upon request), or the whole summer. There is a summer program for almost every age and experience level. Programs begin the week of June 22 and run right up until summer vacation wraps up at the end of August.
The summer programs at WSE are immersive experiences for kids and teens, blending daily riding lessons with horse care, grooming, feeding, and anatomy. There are also fun, themed activities like crafts, games, cart rides with the mini horse, lessons, and an end-of-the-week horse show. These activities help build confidence, responsibility, and horsemanship skills for all levels, from beginners to advanced riders. The camps offer hands-on learning, and lasting connections with horses, and humans.
Young Riders program
The most popular summer program, Young Riders is available to any child who has an interest or desire to ride and spend time with horses. Offered to children as young as 4 years old, the program includes daily riding lessons with a certified trainer, and horsemanship, such as proper handling, grooming, tacking, and bathing procedures, with staff assistance. Participants spend time learning the basics, getting to know the horses, and engaging in crafts and activities. They learn everything from riding to how to properly clean and store horse tack. Activities include age-appropriate barn projects, outside games, crafts, horse care, making new friends, and of course riding.
Juniors program
White Stone also offers a Juniors program for riders who have more experience in the saddle, and have more horsemanship knowledge. This is an opportunity for older kids and teens who are currently enrolled in a year-round program off-Island, or previously attended the WSE summer lesson program. They take daily lessons with a certified trainer, assist with daily lesson tack-ups, help care for the horses, and assist the barn staff with daily chores. They are also included in the activities along with the young riders, and more advanced games.
Summer Barn Rats
If you’ll be spending more than four weeks on the Island this summer, WSE offers a Summer Barn Rats program. It’s a more extensive experience working and riding at a lesson barn. An immersive hands-on experience, Summer Barn Rats balances work, riding, and play. It includes lessons with a trainer, shadowing the staff with barn chores, tack-ups, horse care, and more.
The Young Riders and Juniors programs include weekly horse shows each Friday. These are judged, but not rated. They are meant for fun, but also offer some friendly competition. This is an opportunity for the kids to show off their personal achievements. Family and friends are welcome to come and watch the kids share what they’ve learned during the week.
Children are sure to make memories that will last a lifetime, and share endless laughs. Nothing beats spending the summer with horses. The programs at WSE are about making memories, riding, learning, making new friends, and of course having a whole lot of fun.
To learn more visit whitestonemv.com.
