Cornerstone Equestrian Centre's
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Important Program Changes for 2026
Cornerstone Equestrian Centre will be restructuring its lesson and horse-use programs beginning January 2026. These changes are necessary to stabilize the business and move away from a financial model that has been unsustainable for many years.
CEC is not closing.
We are downsizing and shifting to a model that better supports our horses, our coaching program, and the long-term viability of the farm.
Existing Clients: Please speak with us directly about “grandfathering” timelines. We will work to maintain your current schedule while the transition is underway.
1. Lesson Program Updates
Private Lessons
Private lessons will continue and will remain available in 4-lesson packages.
Pricing adjustments will reflect the true cost of coaching and horse use.
Group Lessons – Now Sold in 3-Month Blocks
Starting in 2026, group lessons will move to three-month commitments.
This change eliminates the administrative burden of tracking sessions, rescheduling, and managing make-ups, allowing more focus on coaching and horse care.
Key points:
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Lessons must be used within the three-month block.
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No make-ups are guaranteed for any reason (weather, illness, scheduling issues).
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Months with five lesson days serve as a built-in buffer/bonus.
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Alternatives may be offered when possible, but nothing is guaranteed.
This structure keeps scheduling predictable and reduces unnecessary, costly management overhead.
Group Lesson Availability & Refund Policy
Group lessons are dependent on the continued availability of suitable lesson horses.
If, during a 3-month block, changes to horse availability (including leasing or sale) make it impossible for group lessons to continue, unused lessons will be refunded on a pro-rated basis.
Riders who want guaranteed, uninterrupted access to a specific horse are strongly encouraged to secure a lease early.
2. Major Change: Horses Moving to Lease or Sale
CEC will be transitioning most horses into lease programs, with some being offered for sale if they cannot be leased.
Lease options include:
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Full Lease
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Half Lease
All leases operate under formal agreements with defined terms, responsibilities, and payment structures.
A Note on Horse Welfare
Horse welfare has always been the top priority at CEC.
One of the largest expenses we face is caring for a horse that becomes injured or otherwise unusable—often requiring veterinary diagnostics, medication, rehabilitation, and extended rest. Under the traditional lesson-based model, income drops immediately when a horse is removed from lessons for its welfare, while costs increase significantly at the same time.
The lease-centered model corrects this imbalance.
It ensures every horse has stable, predictable financial support year-round, allowing us to provide necessary care without delay, compromise, or financial strain.
This approach is better for the horses and essential for the long-term health of the farm.
3. Why This Shift Is Necessary
CEC has operated under a traditional lesson-barn structure for many years. That model has not covered the real cost of horse care, staffing, equipment, and facility maintenance for some time.
The new structure:
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stabilizes revenue,
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ensures proper funding for every horse’s welfare—including during injury,
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reduces unpredictable scheduling and administrative workload,
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and moves CEC to a sustainable model widely used across Ontario.
This is not simply a business decision—it is a horse welfare decision.
The old model fails horses financially when they need support the most. The new model prevents that.
4. What’s Staying the Same
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CEC remains open.
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Coaching continues.
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Riders may continue lessons under updated policies.
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Safety, high-quality instruction, and horse welfare remain the core of the program.
5. What Happens Next
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Lease information will be provided for available horses to those interested.
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Group riders will transition to the new 3-month block format.
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Private lesson riders will receive updated pricing.
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Horses will be listed for lease or sale, with priority given to leasing.
Group lessons will continue where horse availability allows. If they cannot, pro-rated refunds will be issued for unused lessons. Riders seeking long-term certainty are encouraged to consider leasing.
We are available to discuss your goals and help determine the best option moving forward.
FAQ – 2026 Program Changes
Remaining Lessons?
If you have lessons remaining. We will keep those as we usually do, but enforce the policy we have had in place when you purchased. You must provide 48hr notice using the system, then use the lesson within 30 days of missing it. Reminder, that if our available time slots don't meet your schedule, we are not required to meet your schedule within that time frame. We are typically very flexible and will try to remain so.
Is CEC closing?
No. CEC is restructuring to remain financially stable and to properly support horse welfare long-term.
Why eliminate make-ups for group lessons?
Make-ups require constant rescheduling and administrative effort, pulling time away from coaching and horse care.
The 3-month block format is simpler and aligns with standard practices across equestrian programs and other sports.
What happens if a coach or rider is sick, or if the weather is bad?
No make-ups are guaranteed under any circumstances.
Months with a fifth lesson day help buffer occasional cancellations.
Alternatives may be offered when possible, but nothing is promised.
What if I miss several lessons in a row?
Lesson blocks reserve a coaching time slot and horse access for you.
As with most sports and contracted training programs, missed lessons do not roll over and fees remain due.
What happens if group lessons can’t continue due to horse availability?
If group lessons must be discontinued because suitable horses are no longer available, any unused lessons will be refunded on a pro-rated basis.
Leasing a horse is the best way to ensure uninterrupted riding access.
Why move horses into leases?
Because the current system collapses financially when a horse becomes injured.
When a horse cannot be ridden, lesson income stops—but CEC still pays for:
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full board
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veterinary exams
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diagnostics
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medications
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extended layup care
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farrier and ongoing maintenance
Costs increase exactly when income disappears. This directly threatens horse welfare.
Leases ensure each horse’s expenses are consistently covered so they receive the care they need.
Can I stay in lessons without leasing?
Yes. However, horse access may be more limited, as leased horses take priority for their lessees.
Will the horses be sold?
Horses that cannot be leased may be sold. Leasing is the preferred outcome.
This ensures every horse has a clear role, proper support, and a sustainable future.
What lease terms will be available?
Leases include:
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full or half
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formal contracts
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set payment schedules
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required notice periods
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lesson participation expectations
Details will be provided individually for each horse.
What if my leased horse becomes injured or unusable?
Lease payments continue for the term, and lessees are expected to assist with care and recovery.
A replacement horse is not guaranteed.
This structure ensures horses receive proper medical care without creating a financial crisis for the farm.
Is this approach standard in the industry?
Yes. Many barns in Ontario—and most organized sports—operate on term-based or lease-based models with no refunds for missed participation or early withdrawal.