Teens, we heard you! For the first time ever, you get to choose how you spend your week! Put your phones down, step away from the iPads, and get ready to reconnect with nature, ride horses, and make new friends.
Please note: The Teen Riding Program is split into 3 options to cater to interests, riding abilities and age. Please see different teen groups in further detail below.
If you are 13–17, this is your week for nonstop adventure and real connection. From horseback riding to off-ranch excursions and outdoor fun, there is always something new to explore. It is all about building your confidence, making friends, and creating epic ranch memories.
On ranch, you will get hands-on experience with natural horsemanship and instructional horseback riding. You will climb the ropes course, fly along the zip line with your friends, and test your skills at the activities course with BB guns, archery, and hatchets. You will head out on supervised trips like whitewater rafting, mini golfing in Grand Lake, and visiting a local rodeo. In the evenings, you will enjoy gourmet dinners on the lodge deck away from the younger kids before jumping into an exciting night activity. You will even get the chance to walk into the pasture to meet our magnificent herd of 200+ horses, then wrap up the day around a campfire where you can laugh, swap stories, and just hang out under the stars.
Our goal is to make sure you have an unforgettable time with your friends while still getting the supervision and guidance you need at this important stage in your life.
You have three exciting options to choose from:
Option 1: Adventure On Teen Program
This program is a combination of horse riding and Colorado adventures, perfect for teens who want a mix of riding, outdoor activities, and fun experiences. Activities include:
- Horse riding: Instructional rides catered for those that want to learn! Rides will progress with the week. Our goal is to have novice riding teens trotting properly and loping by the end of the week, while exhibiting proper riding and horsemanship skills.
- Horsemanship clinics: Round pen work and grooming time to improve confidence and connection with your horse
- Colorado adventures: Ropes course, Archery, Hatchets and BB Guns, hiking, fishing on the pond, campfires
- Off-ranch excursions: Shopping in Grand Lake, White-Water Rafting, Local Rodeo (Wednesday Afternoon, Thursday Afternoon and Saturday Night)
- Relaxation and downtime: Hang out by the pool after a full day of adventure
- Evening Dinner and Activity
This program gives teens the opportunity to build riding skills, explore the outdoors, and make unforgettable memories!
Download Program Schedule
Option 2: Avid Cowboy & Cowgirl Experience (Ages 13-17)
*Lope assessment required
This program is designed for experienced teen riders that LOVE horses, ride regularly or have spent several years at C Lazy U. Riders in this group:
- Have a secure, balanced seat
- Can post and sit the trot
- Understand riding with or without contact on the bit
- Know the difference between a leading rein, direct rein, and indirect rein
- Ride in a coordinated manner using their aids correctly
- Can trot for extended periods and lope safely on flat, even terrain
Important: Riders in this group will complete a lope assessment on Tuesday morning. Teens who overestimate their abilities will join the Adventure On Teen Program for additional instruction on trail rides.
Download Program Schedule
Option 3: I’m Actually an Adult (Ages 16 & above)
Teens 16 and older can opt out of the teen program and join the adult riding program, family activities, and adult dinners. Sign-up for all activities, including non-riding teen activities, is required.
This option is perfect for teens who want to spend time with older siblings or family members. Teens choosing this path will follow the adult riding schedule.
Related: Summer Adult Horse Program
Before You Ride: Important Things to Know
Sign Up
Beginning this year, all teen riders are required to sign up for every equestrian experience they are participating in, including trail rides. Space and availability are limited, and this policy helps protect our herd from overuse while ensuring each guest and member has the opportunity to ride.
Ride reservations are required and will be honored as scheduled. If your plans change, please let us know at least 24 hours prior to riding so we can accommodate other guests and avoid saddling a horse unnecessarily. This helps us care for our horses and provide the best experience for all guests.
What to Wear
All riders should report to the mounting block ready to ride in proper attire:
- Jeans
- Proper headwear: helmet (all riders under 18 years of age are required to wear riding helmets)
- Riding boots: Flat sneakers, fashion boots, and chunky hiking boots are not permitted for safety reasons.
Rider Eligibility
The ranch maintains a 250-pound weight limit for horseback riding. Barn Management will make the final determination on whether a guest may ride based on weight, physical ability, the level of assistance required, and overall safety for both horse and rider. Rider fitness, experience, horse size, terrain, and ride type are all taken into consideration, and management may restrict or prohibit riding when necessary to ensure the wellbeing of both horse and rider.
Need Additional Support?
C Lazy U Ranch is an active working ranch and horseback riding environment. Our programs and trail rides are designed for teens who can safely participate in ranch activities, follow verbal safety instructions, and independently manage routine aspects of the experience.
For the safety of our guests, horses, and staff, we cannot provide one-on-one personal assistance or specialized adaptive riding equipment, and some activities may not be suitable for teens who require this level of support. Participation decisions are based on safety considerations and the specific requirements of our programs, rather than on any diagnosis or condition.
We encourage families to contact us in advance to discuss a teen’s individual needs so we can determine whether our programs will be a safe and enjoyable fit.
Teen Program FAQs
What’s new about the Teen Program in 2026?
For 2026, teens (ages 13–17) can now choose from three distinct program options based on their interests, riding ability, and age. This new structure allows us to better match teens with the right level of riding instruction and adventure while creating the best possible experience for everyone in the teen program.
- Adventure On Teen Program – A mix of instructional riding and Colorado adventures, ideal for beginner to novice riders.
- Avid Cowboy & Cowgirl Experience – Designed for experienced experienced teen riders that LOVE horses, ride regularly or have spent several years at C Lazy U (lope assessment required).
- “I’m Actually an Adult” Option – Teens 16+ may opt into the adult riding program and activities.
How do teens qualify for the Avid Cowboy & Cowgirl Experience?
The Avid Cowboy & Cowgirl Experience is for experienced teen riders who ride regularly or have spent several years at C Lazy U. Riders must demonstrate:
- Have a secure, balanced seat
- Can post and sit the trot
- Understand riding with or without contact on the bit
- Know the difference between a leading rein, direct rein, and indirect rein
- Ride in a coordinated manner using their aids correctly
- Can trot for extended periods and lope safely on flat, even terrain
- All teens selecting this option must complete a lope assessment on Tuesday morning. If a teen overestimates their ability, they will be placed in the Adventure On Teen Program for additional instruction to ensure safety and success
Are teens required to sign up for rides and activities?
Yes. Beginning in 2026, all teen riders must sign up for every equestrian experience they plan to participate in, including trail rides. Ride reservations protect our herd from overuse and ensures all guests have fair access to riding opportunities.
What are the riding requirements and safety guidelines for teens?
For safety, all riders must:
- Wear jeans
- Wear a helmet (required for all riders under 18)
- Wear proper riding boots (no flat sneakers, fashion boots, or chunky hiking boots)
- The ranch maintains a 250-pound weight limit for horseback riding. Final riding eligibility is determined by Barn Management based on weight, physical ability, rider fitness, experience, horse size, terrain, and overall safety for both horse and rider
Can teens who need additional support participate in the program?
C Lazy U Ranch is an active working ranch and horseback riding environment. Our programs and trail rides are designed for teens who can safely participate in ranch activities, follow verbal safety instructions, and independently manage routine aspects of the experience.
For the safety of our guests, horses, and staff, we cannot provide one-on-one personal assistance or specialized adaptive riding equipment, and some activities may not be suitable for teens who require this level of support. Participation decisions are based on safety considerations and the specific requirements of our programs, rather than on any diagnosis or condition.
We encourage families to contact us in advance to discuss a teen’s individual needs so we can determine whether our programs will be a safe and enjoyable fit.
