PONYSITTERS
We cater to what kids love!
Our popular PONYSITTERS program is available exclusively at JL Performance Horses and has been featured on tv and in USA Today. Our PONYSITTERS program is perfect for horse crazy kids. The PONYSITTERS program is better than traditional afterschool or day care or babysitters! PONYSITTERS is open to children 4-16 years old, every Tuesday and Thursday afterschool from 3:30-7pm and every Saturday from 12 noon to 4:30pm, with early drop off and late pick up available. PONYSITTERS is also available on days when there is no school (like holidays & snow days).
Our PONYSITTERS program is designed to promote safety and knowledge while developing and educating youths. We teach the children about English and Western styles of horseback riding. Children learn all about horses in a positive environment with daily hands-on horse activities with friendly, well-trained horses & ponies, participate in creative projects & crafts and play fun games like equine trivia with barnyard game buzzers. (think Family Fued with horse questions).
Children use their math skills weighing buckets and the horse's grain to determine how many pounds of grain a horse eats. Grab your stethoscopes as they enter the world of equine veterinary science taking their horse's TPR. Children develop leadership skill, responsibility and build self-confidence taking care of, handling and riding horses.
Our popular PONYSITTERS program is much more than a horse play group. At a minimum, children will learn and be able to demonstrate success at individual & team activities, recognize and demonstrate safe horse handling techniques, basic equine care skills and proper horse grooming techniques, be capable of demonstrating critical thinking skills, problem-solving & decision-making, demonstrate the ability to perform basic mathematical calculations required to analyze equine rations, understand basic training and behavior of equine, have the skills and abilities to communicate effectively by verbal & written means, be capable of assesing a horse's general condition and take equine vitals, be able to properly take care of their equipment and tack and demonstrate tacking & untacking, mounting & dismounting and basic skills for riding.
In addition to their barn time, PONYSITTERS are encouraged to take a pro-active role within their community and are invited to attend public functions, like commuinty days and parades with their PONYSITTERS teammates and their equine ambassadors, providing equine educational demonstrations and presentations.
NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED!
PONYSITTERS is open to all children from all school districts. PONYSITTERS is a comprehensive equine educational program designed for children who love horses. PONYSITTERS runs from the start of the school year in September thru the end of school in June. We offer a full summer horsemanship camp during the school's summer break and encourage PONYSITTERS to attend.
Our PONYSITTERS program is like no other and is free of so many of the restrictions of other boarding/lesson barns and includes professional academic tutoring from 6-7pm Tuesday and Thursdays. We are dedicated to producing capable, knowledgable horsepeople and setting your child up for success in the barn and to the board room.
Enrollment options include single day weekly attendance, weekdays only attendance, Saturdays only, 1 weekday + Saturday or sign your child up for the whole month.
We strictly limit the number of children in our care during the PONYSITTERS program to ensure the highest level of safety and positive experience.
We would love to welcome your child to the PONYSITTERS!
Give us a call to get started (845) 260-0962
SUMMER PROGRAM
We offer a 5-day a week SUMMER HORSEMANSHIP PROGRAM from 9am to 5pm, Monday - Friday beginning June until school resumes in September.
If 8 glorious hours of horses isn't enough every day for your child, we offer early drop off and late pick up - Perfect for the full time working parent.
2020 information coming soon!
Parents will be able to sign their child up for the week, the month or the whole summer.
PONYSITTERS SPOTLIGHT
PONYSITTERS PROFILES
MEET THE PONYSITTERS LIVE!
Sept. 21- East Fishkill Community Day
Founding PONYSITTER Member
Our pony princess, Miss Lacey is a founding member of our PONYSITTERS program. She actively participates in equine educational events within her community, including riding her horse in parades, preforming equine educational demonstrations and speaking at public events. She enjoys competing at horse shows, trail riding and takes great pride taking awesome care of her 2 horses. Miss Lacey has already earned her Level 1, 2 & 3 Horsemanship certificates. She takes an active leadership role in the PONYSITTERS program and likes to help others and share her knowledge of horses with new members. She enjoyed participating with her horse in the Sean Patrick clinic this past spring, has been enjoying her 2nd year in the show ring and is headed to California to show APHA champion, 'Just Chillin It' at the legendary Murieta Equestrian Center.
When she's not following her passion for all things equine, she enjoys being actively involved with her Girl Scout troop, hip hop dancing with friends, playing with her Breyer horses and decorating cupcakes.
Original PONYSITTER Cowboy
That's right. PONYSITTERS is a program open to boys and girls.
Cowboy Jackson has been a PONYSITTER since he was just 4 years old. This year he's looking forward to showing his own horse, Wilma at various events including shows at Tymor Park in Union Vale, NY and at Dutchess County Fair.
When Cowboy Jackson isn't in the saddle, he's busy playing with his favorite dog, Chloe or helping Kevin around the farm.
Come meet Cowboy Jackson and his horse Wilma at the East Fishkill Community Day event on September 21. He'll be happy to share his love of horses with you.
Meet Team PONYSITTERS
PONYSITTER, Miss Abby
Ponysitter, Abby Girl is out youngest PONYSITTER at just 3 years old. Abby is a valuable asset to Team PONYSITTER both in the saddle and assisting with pony chores. Miss Abby is famous for her adventures around the farm. She is looking forward competing in the Leadline division this year.
PONYSITTER, Miss Addison
There's nothing PONYSITTER, Miss Addison loves more than making a connection with every horse and pony on the farm. Her 2 favorite ponies are Mr. Stubs and Nicky. She's looking forward to her first horse show seaon this summer. When she's not in the saddle, she can be found dancing on stage like the super star she is.
PONYSITTER, Miss Lydia
PONYSITTER, Miss Lydia loves taking care of all the horses & ponies and horseback riding. She is always armed for success wearing her smile and can be found at the barn 3-4 times a week. She likes going trail riding on Nicky, the wonder pony. Miss Lydia's favorite 2 horses are Toby & Nicky. When she's not in the saddle, she can be found with her sisters, helping them be good PONYSITTERS in training.
PONYSITTER, Miss Isis
Miss Isis is the big sister to all our PONYSITTERS. She loves improving her riding skills and is busy planning her show schedule for this season. She travels between NY and Washington state horseback riding. Miss Isis enjoys riding English and Western and is looking forward to future barrel races and jumping shows.
PONYSITTER, Miss Molly
Miss Molly joined the PONYSITTERS early in 2019 and is a valued and loved member of the team. She has 2 favorite ponies on the farm, Mr. Stubbs and Nicky, the wonder pony. She's a cowgirl at heart and loves to ride. When she's not in the saddle, she loves to have fun with her PONYSITTER friend exploring life on the farm.
PONYSITTER, Cowboy Mike
New cowboy PONYSITTER, Micheal's favorite ride is Mr. Stubs, our Shetland pony. Cowboy Micheal takes great pride in his newly aquired equine skills to make sure Mr. Stubs is always happy, clean & ready to saddle up. When this cowboy isn't in the saddle, he busy at Boy Scouts earning badges.
