Riding Levels
Beginner Definition
For those who have never ridden before through learning to canter confidently on the lunge line and ready to move on to cantering on their own. Riders learn their posting diagonals, jumping position and basic steering at the walk and trot. Riders will learn how to groom, tack, and handle horses. Walking, steering, and equitation exercises to strengthen position. Trot work securing posting and diagonals, sitting trot, and jumping position. Lessons may include lunge lessons, obstacles and basic ring figures.
Advanced Beginner Definition
Riders that know their diagonals, jumping position, and are learning to canter on their own through the ability to maintain canter around the outside of the arena. Riders are able to tack and untack the horse themselves safely. Emphasis on proper equitation and an introduction to basic ring figures. For riders that confidently have the basic ability to control their horse on their own, on the rail, with instructor direction and are working towards an independent hand and seat. Lessons may include lunge lessons, transitions, obstacles, and basic ring figures.
Low Intermediate Definition
Can walk, trot, and canter safely in a group. Consistently rider knows diagonals and can maintain the canter around the outside of the arena and is working on canter circles and transitions. Rider is ready to start ground pole work and ready to begin understanding rhythm, balance and a basic connection. Working on ground poles thru learning their first cross rails. Riders should already be fairly consistent with an independent hand and seat. Riders should be able to ride an Intro level dressage test. Lessons may include working on jumping position, sitting trot, transitions, no stirrup work, lunge line lessons, and cross rails.
Intermediate 1 Definition
Can walk, trot, and canter with a basic connection and balance while riding basic ring figures and in jumping position. Riders jumping single cross rails-2'3" courses fall into this category. At minimum the rider is ready to start cross rail gymnastics and simple courses. Ready to further their abilities with more advanced pole exercises and/or cavelletti where they will be working on seeing distances. Riders should be very consistent with an independent hand and seat and able to influence the horses basic rhythm and balance while following with a steady connection. Riders can begin to
learn the basics of lateral work and half halts to continue their understanding of a connection. Lessons may include working on jumping position over canter poles, sitting trot, transitions, no stirrup work, lunge line lessons, Training level dressage tests and cross rails.
Intermediate 2 Definition
Can ride with a consistent connection and are working on getting horses consistently on the aids. Dressage riders showing at training level and riders that have experience with course work and have solid jumping fundamentals jumping 2'6" fall into this group. Riders will be working to further develop finesse and control of the horse through further understanding of lateral work. Riders refining the basics of lateral work and half halts. Lessons could include no stirrup work, lateral work, lunge line lessons, gymnastics, training level dressage tests, trail, and small course work.
Advanced Rider Definition
Hunt seat riders confidently working on course work at 2’9” and riders working on first level dressage proficiency and above. Hunt seat riders working towards finesse while riding complicated courses with a higher level of difficulty and sophistication. Dressage or western riders refining concepts of suppleness, connection, balance and rhythm and able to keep a horse fairly consistently on the aids. Working on refining the aids for basic lateral work. (leg yield, shoulder in, haunches in/out). Ability to ride with their seat on more sensitive, forward, advanced horses and/or green horses. Lessons may include no-stirrup work, jumping without stirrups, transitions, lateral work, lunge line lessons, gymnastics, courses, caveletti and trail obstacles.