As we work these days on scheduling riding lesson sessions for the Bergen County Equestrian Center, I am reminded of how much this process is like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube: complicated, obsessive, maddening and then finally … victorious! Unlike Cube warriors, lesson schedulers have to be flexible in order to solve the puzzle but like with the Cube, there are many moving and colorful pieces to fit in.& Understanding the pieces is the first part: who are they and how do they work together? The horses, the clients, the staff and the budget all must be taken into consideration. We have to schedule lesson sessions that won't overwork the horses and utilize them in lessons that play to their strengths, also we must be able to offer enough variety to the clients throughout the week that don't require the facility to be staffed at all times (this will kill the budget!) and that bring in the necessary revenues for the facility. It's a tall order and one that requires careful study of your herd, your clients' schedules and needs, and your staff availability.

When you are dealing with many horses and many riders, as well as with limited riding rings, instructors and hours of the days, the possible combinations and permutations –coupled with the limitations- can make the task daunting. Like with other activities such as ballet lessons, swimming and karate, pre-scheduling lessons into sessions of several weeks allows equestrian facilities to fit clients and horses into the right levels, re-do the schedule only every few weeks instead of every day, keep barn and office labor costs down, and maximize the use of the horses without overwhelming them with last-minute changes or inappropriate work. Rubik's Cube is complete when all the boxes of one color are on the same side and I have to say, after all the work of putting the puzzle together, the exhilaration of finishing a session schedule is just as great as completing the Cube! As every little colored session block gets put into the weekly schedule, you remember that you do it because you want to give the clients and the horses the best possible equestrian experience, and what a thrill that is.

Alex Abella
Director, Equestrian Professionals, Inc.

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