Beginner 1
(Ages 8-18)
These classes gives the new rider their first experiences with horses. Students learn how to work with horses both mounted and un-mounted focusing on safety and good horsemanship.
SKILLS: Rider will be able to
Approach, halter, and lead horses (with assistance)
Groom and tack horse (with assistance)
Maintain balance on a standing horse through a series of exercises
Round the world, arm exercises, sack of potatoes etc.
Use direct rein to turn, halt and back a walking horse through a simple course
Mount and dismount (with assistance)
Maintain balance at the trot (sitting) on a lunge horse
Begin learning sitting trot independently
Tie a quick release knot
Average time frame for achieving competency – 32-64 hours of consistent instruction
Beginner 2
(Ages 8-18)
This class takes riders who are comfortable and confident around horses and can steer independently at the walk and trot.
SKILLS: Rider will be able to
Be accomplished in the B1 skills and knowledge
Approach, halter and lead horses confidently
Groom and tack horse without assistance (does not include bridling)
Maintain balance on a trotting horse through a series of exercises
Use direct rein to turn, halt, back and trot a horse through a complex course
Confidently post the trot and maneuver a horse in the sitting or posting trot
Learn posting diagonals
Trot sitting no stirrups for at least two laps around the arena
Maintain balance at the canter on a lunge horse
Help another person groom, tack and lead a horse
Begin to understand aids and how they are used
Average time frame for achieving competency – 32-64 hours of consistent instruction.
Beginner 3
(Ages 8-18)
This class works on students becoming independent in un-mounted work as well as accomplished in trotting and progressing on to the canter.
SKILLS: Rider will be able to
Be accomplished in the B2 skills and knowledge
Post the trot on the correct diagonal (know how to correctly change)
Trot in 2-point, sitting, or posting with or without stirrups
Understand aids needed to ask for both the trot and canter
Be balanced and safe at a canter both on the lunge line and independently
Know correct and incorrect leads
Be able to canter a 20 meter circle as well as canter the full arena
Be able to walk and trot on a variety of different horses
Average time frame for achieving competency – 32-64 hours of consistent instruction.
Intermediate 1
(Ages 8-18)
In this class students are completely independent with tacking and grooming and are progressing in the canter.
SKILLS: Rider will be able to
Take apart English bridle and saddle, clean and appropriately re-assemble
Tack English and be able to teach a lower level how to tack
Wrap horse’s front legs correctly with polo wraps
Proficient in posting trot and picking up the correct diagonals
Can properly pick up the correct lead and knows how to change it if on the wrong one
Maintain balance on a cantering horse through a series of exercises and simple patterns
Maintain balance and control of a cantering horse on the rail and on a 20 meter circle for at least 5 minutes
Control their horse on a trail ride outside the Farm boundaries
Assist in Beginner level classes
Complete and pass all level test below Intermediate 1
Average timeframe for achieving competency – 72-96 hours of consistent instruction.
When a student reaches the Intermediate 1 level (kids are progressing in the Walk, Trot, Canter and more complex knowledge such as feed), they are given the option to choose the route they would like to take next in their riding endeavors. Currently, the two tracks a rider can choose from are Dressage and Jumping. On these two tracks the rider will have smaller class sizes and more in depth learning both mounted and un-mounted. These tracks are also aimed at opening the door for students to explore Equine jobs that they might be interested in the future, as well as preparing them to apply for scholarships and progress to college riding.
Intermediate 2
(Ages 8-18)
These classes encompass either Dressage or Jumping and set the course for the beginning to intermediate stages of each discipline.
SKILLS-JUMPING: Rider will be able to
Complete all I1 skills at accomplished or higher
Hold a balanced 2-point
Understands the aids needed to extend and collect both the trot and canter (begin to practice)
Can ride any maneuver and/or gait with or without stirrups
Beginning skills over poles, cavaletti, and small cross rails; moving up to verticals and oxers not to exceed 2’
Start to learn to piece together small courses at the trot and canter with simple changes of lead
SKILLS- DRESSAGE: Rider will be able to
Complete all I1 skills at accomplished or higher
Begin to understand how to collect a horse
Begin to understand how to put a horse “on the bit”
Ask a horse for a bend correctly through turns and circles
Beginning lateral movements (leg yields etc.)
Perform a training level test with little help
Average timeframe for achieving competency – 80-120 hours of consistent instruction.
Intermediate 3/ Advanced
(Ages 8-18)
These classes have branched off into one of two disciplines and help students reach higher goals as well as begin to learn early stages of training in each specific discipline.
SKILLS-JUMPING: Rider will be able to
Riders are able to perform any I2 and below task
Jump a full course of varying jumps 2’3 and higher
Control their horse in a wide range of environments
Beginning to learn the flying lead change
Can teach skills to any beginner or intermediate jumping class
Carry out basic horse training approaches (eg. Lunging, long-lining, etc.)
Correctly polo wrap a horse and/or apply standing wraps for an injury or travel
Ride at walk, trot, canter or over fences without stirrups
Maneuver a horse through complex exercises (gymnastics etc).
Compete in discipline-specific horse shows both at TUF and other venues (IEA included)