Skill Levels

Beginner: Brand new to riding! 

 

To be considered ready for Advanced Beginner: 

• Can halter in the stall

• Can groom and pick feet (with some assistance on hoof picking if horse is feeling fussy)

• Can lead horse independently

• Can steer at the walk

• Can stop and back

• Willing to trot (not necessarily off the lunge line)

• Can emergency dismount without hesitation at the walk

• Understands rules of the arena and how to be safe in the arena with multiple horses and riders

 

To be considered ready for Intermediate: 

• Can tack up themselves (with assistance checking girth and bridling)

• Trotting skills

  • can steer in circles and other basics like changing directions

  • post, sit, and two-point

  • No hands

  • ride bareback

  • emergency dismount 

• Willing to canter on the lunge line 

• Groundwork skills

  • lead safely through obstacles

  • Knows Friendly, Porcupine, Hide Your Heiney, Yo-Yo, and Circle game 

 

To be considered ready for Advanced Intermediate: 

• Can tack up independently

• Can confidently trot a cross rail

• Cantering skills 

  • can steer in circles and around other horses

  • sit and two point

  • No hands 

  • comfortable cantering in groups

• Can handle some unpredictability/silliness from horse 

• Can be flexible on horse choices without too much upset or change in quality of ride 

• Groundwork skills

  • understanding of the ground games and their purposes

  • able to do a ground game with a goal in mind 

  • understanding of the reasons why we might choose to do groundwork before we ride or instead of riding

 

To be considered ready for Senior Advanced: 

• Can confidently perform all gaits on most horses

• Can work independently (with oversight from instructor) on goals and maintain focus while instructor is helping other riders

• Is skilled at their area(s) of interest: jumping, obstacles, vaulting, liberty, etc, but is willing to work on skills unrelated to their particular area of interest 

• Understands how to work towards training goals with individual horses, and has patience to work towards those goals

• Is fluid in their ground games -  can switch games to achieve purpose, has the ability to be creative with games

• Can look at a situation compassionately from their horse’s perspective and adapt their riding or plan to suit that perspective

• Has the emotional skills to understand their own influence on their horse’s actions, and knows how to actively manage their feelings in support of their horse

• Is interested in the success of their fellow riders, the horses, and the barn as a community