Lesson Structure
We want all riders to love riding, and progress in a safe environment. We have clear aims we need riders to meet before moving up. Coaches have constant access to ecpro, and are able to update riders grades when appropriate.
Level 1 – this is for beginners and those new to riding. Groups will be small and riders are often on the lead rein. Riders will learn steering and control, as well learning to improve their balance and coordination. Riders will be ready to move up when the are trotting without needing a leader
Level 2 – all riders are off the lead rein, although we may sometimes have leaders to help with steering when needed. Riders will be continuing to develop their position and balance, learning school movements and improving their trotting. Riders will be ready to move up when they are confidently steering in walk and trot unaided on a number of ponies, and able to trot without stirrups without help.
Level 3 – all riders are riding confidently without a leader on a number of different ponies. Riders will be practicing school movements, continuing to improve their position and balance. Riders will be starting to practice more work on sitting trot to get ready for learning to canter. Riders will learn light seat and start pole work. Riders will have a few canters, but not every lesson.
Level 4 – Riders are starting to learn to canter, and develping thier canter to be able to steer confidently in canter. Riders may not canter in every lesson. They will be developing skills to ride independently. Riders will also be practicing light seat and pole work, as well as doing some small jumps.
Level 5 – riders are continuing to practice skills from 1-4 but will also be developing their jumping from canter. Riders will practice pole work in walk, trot and canter, and learn to jump courses of small fences. Riders will also be learning about how the pony is working and how to improve the pony’s way of going.
Level 6 – Riders are confident in all three paces and jumping. They will be starting to develop more lateral work and aim to improve the way of going of a range of ponies. This is for riders working towards BHS stage 2 or pony club C/C+ level.
Level 7 – This is for riders who are working towards BHS stage 3/ Pony Club B test.
Rider progression
Your coaches will let you know when riders are ready to move up. We want riders to enjoy their lessons in a safe environment. Moving up too quickly can put riders and horses at risk.
We have set goals for riders to work towards at each level:
|
Riding Level |
Goals to be achieved before moving up |
|
Level 1 |
Confident and balanced in rising trot Steering in walk and trot without a leader on a straight forward pony Riding without stirrups in walk Able to touch different parts of the pony Holding the reins correctly and shortening them Mount and dismount correctly Leading a quiet pony to and from the arena Approaching a pony correctly Reaching and picking up a mug from walk Take feet out of stirrups and find them again.
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|
Level 2 |
Able to steer and control a pony in a range of positions within the ride Understand rising diaganols and be able to change them Start to ride independently of others in walk and trot Understand different changes of rein Know some simple school movements Ride without stirrups in walk and trot on a range of ponies Steering over poles in walk and trot |
|
Level 3 |
Know how to check your girth Know how to adjust stirrups Confidently steering without stirrups in walk and trot Ride independently of others on a range of ponies Be balanced in light seat in walk and trot Maintain light seat over poles Starting canter |
|
Level 4 |
Maintaining a balanced position in canter Steering in canter Riding a 20m Circle in canter Maintain a balanced light seat in canter Jumping fences from trot Linking fences together in trot Riding in a ride maintaining correct distances for hacking Able to ride up and down hills Understanding rhythm and how to maintain it Know sequence of footfalls in WTC Able to describe aids for transitions |
|
Level 5 |
Maintain a balanced position over fences in canter Canter without stirrups Riding a range of school movements and understand their uses Know the first three scales of training Discuss the horse they are ridings rhythm Linking fences together in canter Be able to tell canter leads whilst watching a horse |
|
Level 6 |
Riding a range of horses effectively Able to discuss horses way of going and work to improvements Balanced over fences up to 70cm Recognise canter leads on a range of horses Able to ride leg yield in walk and trot both ways Describe the aids for leg yield and its uses Be able to ride a prelim dressage test Ride in open space in all three paces |
|
Level 7 |
Work the horse for improvement Ride effectively without stirrups in all three paces Jumping courses 70cm+ Riding shoulder in Know the aids for shoulder in Understand why we use lateral work Work the horse in a stretch to warm up and cool down |
