What will riders learn? Below is a basic explanation of the riding levels and syllabus. These skills must be mastered before a student may progress to the next level. Learning to ride is challenging and riders will progress at different paces. ➢ Novice Level - Walk ○ Safety around horses ○ Preparing a horse to be ridden ○ Basic saddling & bridling ○ Walking a horse on the lead rope ○ Removing tack & post ride grooming ○ Mounting & dismounting safely ○ Rein contact & hand position ○ Heel/leg position ○ Independently halting ○ Independently moving horse forward ○ Eyes up ○ Dropping and retrieving stirrups at the walk ○ Ring safety - left to left passing, when to stay on rail navigating traffic ○ Turning using reins, right, left, half circle, reverse at the walk ○ Posting at the Walk ➢ Beginner Level - Walk/Trot ○ Posting and two point/half seat at the walk ○ Staying on the rail at the walk and trot ○ Upward transition - trot to walk ○ Posting at the trot ○ Recognizing and correcting the posting diagonal ○ Turns at the trot, changing diagonal ○ Sitting Trot ○ Dropping and retrieving stirrups at the trot ○ Navigating a course of poles at trot ➢ Intermediate Level - Trot/Canter ○ Adjust stirrups on the ground ○ Ride a figure eight at the trot demonstrating change of diagonals ○ Upward transition: sitting trot to canter ○ Downward transition: canter to sitting trot, canter to posting trot ○ Canter without stirrups ○ Riding at the canter in a variety of seats: full-seat, half-seat, light-seat. ○ Dropping and retrieving stirrups at the canter ○ Canter, downward transition, reverse at the trot, transition back to canter ○ Identify correct and incorrect lead on own horse and other horses ○ Flying and simple lead changes across a diagonal ○ Canter circles ○ Canter over poles ○ Canter a course of poles ➢ Training Level - Jumping ○ Adjust stirrups and girth while mounted at the halt ○ Perform balancing and suppling exercises at walk and trot ○ Walk, sitting and rising trot on correct diagonal ○ Canter on the correct leads ○ Circles with correct bend in both directions. ○ Ride a figure eight at the canter demonstrating change of leads ○ Demonstrate an increase and decrease of speed at walk and trot and canter ○ Halt and back ○ Ability to ride every lesson horse ○ Counting strides between poles ○ Trotting single crossrails ○ Trotting in, cantering out crossrails ○ Cantering single crossrails ○ Cantering crossrail courses ○ Mixed crossrails and small verticals ○ Full courses including verticals and lead changes