Ride where you learn, and learn where you live with Madeira’s on-site riding facilities.
Madeira’s equestrian program has been an important part of our school for more than 70 years and is designed to support both the beginner and the experienced rider.
With exceptional riding facilities just minutes from our classrooms, committed instructors who develop the skills of each rider, and an impressive varsity riding team, Madeira really does offer a totally stable learning environment. Come ride along!
Madeira girls take two lessons per week and receive instruction in hunter seat equitation and stable management skills. Students are also encouraged to spend time at the stables and ride independently outside of class.
Competition
Riders of all levels can compete at a variety of competitions, including USEF-rated and IEA horse shows. Our varsity riding team, which provides a unique team experience in what is typically an individual sport.
Riders and horses competed at multiple USEF horse shows, including WEC Ocala, Upperville, Loudoun Benefit, National Horse Show, Maryland Horse and Pony Show, and Lexington Spring Series.
Riders earned top placings at MHSA and VHSA Equitation Finals and NHS Hamel Final.
IEA Team qualified for Regional and Zone finals
10 individuals qualified for Regionals
Team won Regional finals
7 individuals qualified for Zones
Riders and horses competed at multiple USEF horse shows, including WEC Ocala, Upperville, Washington International, National Horse Show, Maryland Horse and Pony Show, and Lexington Spring Series.
Riders earned top placings at MHSA and VHSA Equitation Finals and NHS Hamel Final.
IEA Team qualified for Regional, Zone, and National Finals!
13 riders qualified for Regional Finals
8 riders competed at IEA Zones Finals
6 riders competed at National Finals
Other highlights included:
Hosted a fun Halloween themed in-house horse show, which included dressing up horses and several fun classes like a puissance
Attending many USEF and local horse shows including championships at: Morven park horse show series, Lexington National horse show, Turner Farm, Piedmont Jumper classic, WIHS regional, WIHS, Swan lake horse shows, Belfield horse shows, Lexington Spring welcome and Spring Encore, WEC Ocala, HITS Culpeper, Upperville Colt and Horse show, Loudoun benefit, and HITS Vermont
Multiple clinicians came to campus, including several college coaches
Madeira's team did not participate in IEA due to Covid-19 restrictions, but riders were able to attend many regular season horse shows. We hosted a number of clinicians and in-house horse shows on campus, including having college coaches and judges give clinics.
Off-campus horse shows included champion ribbons at Belfield Fall Classic, Turner Farm horse shows, WIHS Regionals, Swan Lake Harvest Classic, WEC Ocala, Belfield Winter Regional show, BEST horse show series, Morven park horse show series, HITS Culpeper, Upperville Colt and Horse show, Loudoun benefit, and HITS Vermont.
We also had a rider place second in her class at USEF Junior Hunter finals.
IEA team qualified for Regional Finals.
13 riders qualified for Regional Finals
5 riders competed at Zone Finals
1 rider qualified for Nationals!
Off-campus horse shows included championships at Turner Farms, House Mountain, WIHS regionals, The Barracks, Stonewall horse shows, Swan Lake, Lexington horse shows.
Multiple clinicians came to campus, including several college coaches.
IEA team qualified for Regional and Zone Finals
11 riders qualified individually for IEA Regional Finals
5 riders qualified individually for IEA Zone Finals
ANRC Junior Individual National Champion
ANRC Junior Novice Individual Reserve National Champion
Qualifiers for MHSA Hunt Seat Medal Final, Giitings Medal Finals, and USHJA Zone 3 Hunter Finals
Champions won at HITS Culpeper, Lexington, Maryland Horse and Pony, and Loudoun Benefit Horse Shows
Two individual riders qualified for IEA National Finals
One finished in 4th place at Nationals
Five individual riders qualified for IEA Zone Finals
12 individual riders qualified for IEA Regional Finals
For the sixth year in a row, the team qualified for IEA Regional Finals.
Madeira riders qualified for Medal, Maclay, NCEA, VHSA and MHSA medal finals.
Top ten placings at the National Horse Show and NCEA East-Coast Finals
Top three placings at VHSA and MHSA medal finals
ANRC Team and Individual National Champions
Riders qualified and competed at USEF Junior Hunter Finals, Virginia Hunter Championships, and USHJA Zone Finals. Championships won at MD Horse and Pony Show, The Barracks, Lexington Spring Encore, HITS Culpeper, Upperville and Loudon Benefit Horse Shows.
IEA Reserve National Champions – out of over 1300 teams in the country
IEA Team was high point champion at 6 out of 7 regular season shows, high point team in the region, champion at regional finals, third at zone finals.
11 out of 12 team riders qualified as individuals for regionals, 6 individual riders qualified for zone finals, 2 individual riders qualified for national finals
Madeira attended 30 regular USEF and local horse shows; some highlights include winning championships at Maryland Summer Classic, Upperville Horse and Colt Show, Loudon Benefit Horse Show, USHJA ZONE 3 Stirrup Cup Final, Vermont Summer Festival, HITS Culpeper Show, Maryland Horse and Pony Show, Turner Farm Horse Show, WBTA Horse Show, WIHS Regional Horse Show, Duke Charity Horse Show, Stonewall Horse Show, Hollins Spring Welcome Show, Barracks Horse Show, Raleigh Spring Horse Show, Showplace National Horse Show, Lexington National Horse Show. Riders also qualified for USEF Pony Finals, Washington International Horse Show, Gittings Medal Final, and VHSA Medal Final.
ANRC teams qualified for national finals. The ANRC Novice team were overall National Champions, ANRC Open team finished overall Reserve National Champion.
Six regular season championships - Finished the regular season with the highest points of any team in the region and zone.
Seventh place team finish at IEA Nationals out of 1300 teams in the country.
Finished 2nd at Zone Finals in competition against the top teams from MD, VA, WV and NC.
15 riders qualified as individuals for IEA regional finals, seven riders qualified IEA Zone Finals and three riders qualified as individuals at Nationals.
Freshman rider Bridget Vaughey finished Reserve Champion in the Individual Junior Varsity Beginner Flat at IEA Nationals.
Multiple championships won at USEF Premier-rated horse shows, including HITS Culpepper, Upperville, Lexington, Raleigh, and Middleburg.
IEA team won six regular season championships.
IEA team and 17 Madeira students qualified for IEA Regional Finals.
4 students qualified for IEA Zone Finals.
3 students qualified for IEA National Finals.
Emily Leins '17 finished 7th at IEA National Finals.
Multiple championships won throughout the year at USEF Premier-rated horse shows including HITS Culpepper, HITS Saugerties, Lexington, and Loudon
IEA team won five regular season championships
14 Madeira students qualified for IEA Regional Finals. Five students qualified for IEA Zone Finals.
Sixth place Individual Junior Varsity Beginner Flat at IEA National championships
Multiple ribbons and championships won at shows such as Upperville, Swan Lake, HITS Culpeper, and the Mid-Atlantic Equitation Festival
Facilities and Horses
Madeira’s riding facilities make it possible for girls to ride rain or shine, after school and during the day, depending on a girl’s academic schedule. Facilities include:
School horses for beginner and advanced riders
Boarding for student-owned horses
30-stall courtyard stable
2 outdoor riding rings (140' x 280' and 66' x 132')
A large indoor ring (100' x 200')
Heated tack rooms and lounge
Indoor wash stall
Sprinkler systems for arena dust control
Private and group turnout
HorseGym USA Equine Treadmill
At Madeira, we consider our horses to be an integral part of the community. Madeira girls form strong bonds with these beautiful animals. Care of the horses is top priority and a strong part of the curriculum. Students learn to prioritize the welfare of the horse and develop strong stable management skills in addition to empathy and compassion for their equine partners.
Meet the Madeira Riding Staff
Equestrian FAQs
General
Yes, there are tryouts for riding activity at the beginning of each athletic season. Typically, we can accommodate 40 riders a season. During tryouts we select riders that match the levels our current horse population are able to accommodate.
Yes. We have 32 stalls, about half of which are available for student’s horses. Board for the 22-23 school year is $1450 a month which includes all basic care of the horse (see below for details). Stall space is limited, so boarding applications are due by May 1st. Please contact Mr. McCartney at [email protected] for a boarding application or more information about bringing a horse to Madeira.
Madeira’s school horses can jump up to 2’3” in lessons and at horse shows. In our experience, this height helps to maintain the horse’s soundness and longevity, while still providing ample opportunity for riders to progress in their skills. We have school horses available to compete locally, but since their job is to teach many different riders at home they are often not good candidates to compete at USEF rated horse shows. Riders wishing to jump above 2’3” or compete at a higher level should consider leasing or buying a suitable mount.
Unfortunately, our staff and horses are not trained to safely teach riders with any physical limitations. We can offer suggestions for local stables who can accommodate a wider range of riders.
Students enrolled in Riding Activity as their D-Block get two mounted lessons a week. Lessons consist of small groups for advanced and intermediate riders and private or semi-private lessons for beginner riders. Most of the time one lesson each week focuses on flat work and the other on jumping. Students riding their own horse will often jump in both lessons.
Students who are signed up for riding as their D Block activity will have their lessons scheduled after school sometime between 2:45–6:00 p.m. Lessons are assigned based on the level of the rider, horse availability, as well as student and instructor schedules. Additional times for lessons may be available on the weekends and after 6:00 p.m. Riding activity lessons may be scheduled during these times if requested by the students and demand warrants it.
Students are able to free ride additional days of the week if horses are available and their instructor feels that they can tack, un-tack and ride safely without direct supervision.
Students are only able to take one D-Block (afternoon) activity per season.
Students riding school horses only need to provide riding equipment for themselves: helmet, gloves, breeches, belt, and either paddock boots and half chaps or tall riding boots. Riders should come to the barn dressed neatly with a closely fitting shirt. Additional layers are needed for winter riding. For riders wishing to compete, a show helmet, boots, show shirt, and show coat are also needed. School horses each have their own saddle, bridle, and other equipment, so it is not necessary to bring any tack with you. A detailed equipment guide is available for those who need to purchase equipment or are bringing a horse to Madeira.
Yes, students pay a fee for each season that they ride. The fee varies depending on how long the season is and whether they are riding school horses ($95 a lesson for the 22-23 school year) or boarding their own horse ($60 a lesson for the 22-23 school year).
Boarding a Horse
Feed, hay, water, turnout, stall cleaning, blanketing, scheduling of farrier and vet appointments, and daily feet picking. Madeira has staff available to provide extra services at an additional cost.
Students that board or lease a horse at Madeira can ride as much as their schedule allows. Horse boarders take two lessons a week and can ride independently after school the rest of the week. Depending on scheduling and instructor availability, additional lesson times may also be available.
Students are responsible for keeping their horse groomed and exercised, and caring for their equipment. Riders are expected to thoroughly groom and care for their horse both before and after lessons. Our friendly barn staff is on hand to supervise students in the barn and help teach them new horsemanship skills.
In general, no. Horsemanship is an important part of our program, so students are taught how to care for their own horses. However, during times when students are unable to come to the barn (vacations, internships, etc.), Madeira offers grooming and riding packages to help keep your horse ready for your return.
Boarders are responsible for supplying all their own equipment for their horse. A detailed list of supplies that each horse needs will be sent with boarding contracts, but include all riding equipment, brushes, blankets, and tack box.
Yes, you will be the only student riding your horse unless you give permission for a fellow student to ride your horse (and both of your instructors agree that it’s safe for everyone involved). Our trainers are also available to ride your horse for training and exercise.
Competitive Riding
Madeira riders compete in hunter, equitation, and jumper classes at a wide range of schooling and USEF rated horse shows. Our students also enjoy participating in Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) competitions.
Madeira school horses are available to go to some local schooling shows, but if you want to compete regularly at USEF horse shows you’ll need to lease or have your own horse. Madeira staff can help find you an appropriate horse to meet your individual showing goals. Students do not need a horse to compete at IEA shows.
Yes. Riders are responsible for training, trailering, and show fees just like they would be at a private barn.
Students are responsible for caring for their own horse at horse shows. Madeira staff is always there to supervise and help teach proper show prep techniques.
Academics are the priority at Madeira, so we try to have students miss as little school as possible. Generally, we are able to leave for horse shows after the last class is over on Friday afternoons. Occasionally we will need to leave earlier, in which case those absences are considered excused.
IEA is a national interscholastic equestrian organization where riders travel as a team to other barns and compete on unfamiliar horses. It is modeled after the college organization IHSA, and is open to riders of all abilities – from those who can safely canter in a group up to those competing over 3’6” jumps and higher. The level you compete at in IEA is determined by what classes you have shown in at regular horse shows. For more information on the IEA organization see their website www.rideiea.org.
If you are interested in being on the IEA team please contact Ms. Leonardi at [email protected]. She will send you a placement form to fill out, and qualified riders will then be invited to tryout for the team in the Fall. Tryouts are typically held during preseason riding. (If you need to know if you’re invited to preseason to make travel arrangements, please contact us and we will let you know as early as possible!)
Compared to regular horse shows, IEA team expenses are relatively low. There is a registration fee, and then class and coaching fees at each horse show which are approximately $150 per show. Occasionally there will be additional travel expenses when we go to overnight horse shows.
In accordance with IEA rules, each rider can compete at a maximum of five regular season IEA shows per school year. Since most show hosts limit the number of riders that can be entered at each show, not all riders on the Madeira IEA team are able to attend each horse show. Team riders fill out a team contact with their IEA show availability at the beginning of each school year, and based on that and other factors, will be chosen to go to five horse shows. All riders are also welcome to attend the horse shows where they aren’t competing to cheer on their teammates!
Yes. The riding program attends and hosts a variety of clinics. Past Clinicians have included Sandra Ruiz, Cory Kieschnick and Archie Cox to name a few. The program also organizes various other events both on and off campus including Barn BBQs, shopping trips to area tack stores and Barn Night at the Washington International Horse Show.
Horse Donations
The equestrian program has been an important part of the athletic curriculum at Madeira for over 70 years. With a focus on teaching good horsemanship and hunter seat equitation the program serves riders of all different levels. Details below outline how to donate a horse to Madeira's equestrian program.
Our wonderful school horses, that have been donated by generous individuals, are the Equestrian Program’s backbone. All of our horses receive top-notch care including daily turnout and the highest quality feed, hay, and supplements. At times, the program will have openings for mentally and physically sound horses of all levels that are capable of being ridden once per day, 5-6 days a week in small group lessons.
The first thing that visitors see when arriving at Madeira is the white fences. Commuters who zip by on Georgetown Pike may know it only as “the school with the horses,” as a number of them can be seen grazing in the paddocks on any given morning prior to the start of the school day.
Enter the stables yard and it’s another world, full of horse stalls, tack, hay bales, and adults and girls who are very knowledgeable about horses—or learning to be so. The setting has remained much the same over the past 85 years, with improvements such as the indoor riding ring, and upgrades as needed.
We got to wondering what stories could be told about those many years, many horses, and many girls who rode at Madeira. We asked our alumnae to share their experiences about riding at Madeira: what they learned that carried into their adult life, what memories they have from their time here (whether fun, challenging, or simply nostalgic), and if they are still riding.
