If you’re like many instructors and program owners, chances are you’ve tried everything—packages, punch cards, pay-as-you-go, session bundles—and you’re still finding yourself stuck in an endless loop of chasing payments, juggling makeups, and trying to predict your income from month to month.

You’re not alone.

Scrolling through instructor forums and Facebook groups, the frustration is loud and clear. Most riding programs are built on a package-based system, where students pay for a set of lessons at a time. But this model, while familiar, creates a constant flow of administrative headaches:

• Tracking who paid and who hasn’t
• Chasing down late payments
• Managing missed lessons and makeup chaos
• Dealing with inconsistent income

Then there’s the pay-as-you-go model, which feels easy on the front end—but puts you and your business at a serious disadvantage. If a student doesn’t show up, you don’t get paid. If five students cancel in a week? That’s a major financial hit. You’re always riding the wave of uncertainty.

So, what’s the solution? Membership-based billing.

It’s time to stop selling your time like a commodity and start creating a professional, sustainable structure that supports your business. A membership model simplifies your finances, stabilizes your income, and improves your student experience.

At its core, the membership model means students pay a flat monthly fee on autopay. Whether you call it tuition, membership, or monthly enrollment, the structure is what matters:

• All payments are charged automatically on the first of the month
• Credit cards are stored on file in your software
• You know exactly what your income is before the month even starts
• Students formally withdraw with notice—no ghosting or unpaid gaps

This model turns your riding program into a professional service, not a hobby-style setup. And most importantly? It brings peace of mind.

Real Talk: What It Looks Like in Practice

Here’s how we run our own program under a membership model:

• Students enroll for one or two lessons per week
• Fees are charged monthly to a card on file
• We require a 15-day notice to cancel a membership
• No refunds, no rolling over missed lessons
• One group makeup is offered monthly, during the last week

We track everything through software (I currently use Vagaro—originally designed for salons, but adaptable for riding programs). And I’m excited to share that we’re also in the process of developing a new platform specifically for riding programs that will make this even easier for instructors like you. More on that soon.

What About Credit Card Fees? Or Cash?

Yes, credit card fees exist—but we build them into our monthly tuition pricing. If someone prefers to pay in cash, we have a policy:

• Cash payments must be made by the 25th of the previous month
• We offer a small discount for cash payments
• If you miss the deadline, we charge your card on file
  

Having these policies in writing—and sticking to them—protects your time, energy, and income.

Why This Model Works

Moving to a membership model isn’t just about simplifying admin work—it’s about building a professional, predictable, and profitable business. When you adopt this system:

• You know your monthly income
• You free up hours of bookkeeping and tracking
• You create a clear, respectful policy structure for your clients
• You stop “chasing” students and start building a thriving program

And most importantly? You can focus on doing what you love—teaching.

Ready to Make the Switch?

If you’re ready to make the transition but unsure where to start, I’ve got you covered. We’ll be posting more guides on:

• How to transition your clients into a membership model smoothly
• Creative and effective makeup lesson policies
• Choosing the right software for your program

Switching to a membership model is one of the best decisions you can make for your program’s future. It’s a shift from hustle to structure—and from burnout to sustainability.

Looking to learn more about how to structure your memberships and set up the right policies? Check out our upcoming blogs or explore our RIDE Memberships for step-by-step guidance for instructors and barn owners. (Coming Soon)

You’ve got this—and we’re here to help.