Circle H Riding Academy, located on Old Ocilla Road, offers horseback riding lessons for children. According to the instructor and manager, benefits to horseback riders include improved muscle tone, balance and coordination and increased confidence and a sense of freedom.

Debbie Robbins manages the business and her daughter, Tammy Tanner, serves as the Academy’s instructor. Tanner teaches children and adults how to ride. The Academy offers instruction for individuals and groups in the afternoons and on weekends.

“We are flexible and will work around your schedule,” Robbins said.

Tanner said that taking care of a horse teaches responsibility.

“Horses are a creature of beauty, a living art form that reminds us of the natural wonders of the world,” Robbins said. “Horses nurture the imagination and enjoyment of life, create mental health and realization and free people from their weaknesses. Involvement with horses can carry children and troubled youth through hard times because they sense the needs of a person and can be a true friend.”

Circle H Riding Academy also offers trail rides, horse training, horses for sale and birthday parties. The Academy recently added two palamino/paint miniatures horses and offer “Little Pony Birthday Parties” during which children are allowed to decorate the ponies.

“Our cowgirl and cowboy parties are a blast,” Robbins said. “The parties can be held at Circle H or we can bring them to the customer’s location.”

Tanner has been riding horses for 25 years. Robbins said Tanner has competed at many levels throughout Georgia in horse riding and has a true love for horses.

“She has a lot of patience and our students enjoy their lessons,” Tanner said.

For more information about Circle H Riding Academy, call 229-848-4018.