Riding Programs for Ages 4-7

Just Horsin’ Around

This class is for the new young rider.  Students will learn safety around horses and the basics of grooming, saddling.  During the mounted portion of lessons students will practice correct riding posture and reining technique.  The goal of this class is developing good basic skills so that riders can progress with confidence.  This course is designed to be on-going, and may be repeated until students are confident in their basic skills and are approved by the instructor to proceed to Buckaroo level.

Buckaroo  

This beginner class is intended for riders with knowledge of basic safety and riding skills, and have been granted instructor approval.  Students will gain a more detailed knowledge of their riding equipment, and practice grooming and tacking up horses.  Buckaroo level riders work on developing confident, correct steering at the walk, and learn the basics of the sitting trot.  The goal of this class is to retain correct riding technique while developing increased independence on and off the horse.  Skills that student must be able to complete to be in this level:

• Knows all brush names, their purpose, and can groom horse unassisted
• Mounts and dismounts without assistance
• Able to maintain correct position at halt, walk, and when turning
• Walks and stops pony using correct verbal and hand cues
• Can perform a correct sitting trot with assistance*
• Accepts constructive suggestions
• Can correctly rein an obstacle course*

Bronco

This intermediate class is intended for riders with a mastery of basic horsemanship skills, and who are knowledgeable and confident enough to perform most ground tasks independently, as per instructor approval.  Bronc level riders build on correct reining techniques to work toward controlling the pony independently; they also work correct riding at the trot, moving toward developing a posting trot.  The goal of this class is to teach problem solving skills as students ride independently. Student must be able to complete all previous level requirements and the following to be in this level:

• Knows all the parts of the saddle and bridle, and can saddle both English and Western styles without assistance (excluding lifting saddle) 
• Can confidently ride off lead in the arena at the walk with proper rein aids and position*
• Trot with assistance* 
• Able to Post at walk

Mustang

This advanced class is intended for riders who have mastered ground skills and are confident and capable of riding independently, as per instructor approval.  Mustang level riders work on navigating more complex arena exercises, using and combining more sophisticated aids, and develop the posting trot.  The goal of this class is to apply and build upon skills in more challenging exercises and at the trot.

Student must be able to complete all previous level requirements and the following to be in this level:

• Is a safe rider in a group (maintains proper distance etc)
• Can adjust stirrups without assistance Can ride off lead from start to finish including posting trot*
• Knows how use combined aids (outside rein, inside leg)
• Can perform a correct sitting trot without assistance and perform a correct posting trot on the lunge line