We love seeing our riders grow in confidence, skills and move up to the next level of progress.
Progress notes for both children & adults can be recorded in "My Riding Progress" notebooks which can be picked up from the office so that riders can start documenting their learning.
Please note all adults should book a GET READY TO RIDE preparation session first.
Levels of Progress
Level 0 BASIC
BASIC Child Start to Ride (CB) & Adult - Start to Ride (AB) BASIC
Learning: position & technique; sitting and rising trot on lead rein
Promoted when: secure seat and not holding saddle in trot and growing in confidence and pony awareness
Test: when Coach invites you verbally to next level; please confirm with Office
Level 1 NOVICE
Child Novice (CB1) & Adult - Start to Ride PLUS (AB+)
Learning: mount and dismount; adjust own stirrups and girth; walk, trot with and without stirrups; usually on lead rein; ride shapes and transitions; start cantering
Promoted when: cantering with some confidence and capable of getting horse to move by themselves without instructor's help
Test & Trial: may need some private lessons for canter confidence transition; Invitation by Coach to try next level group lesson before confirmation; competition entry encouraged
Level 2
Independent Rider (CB2) & Adult - Start to Ride PLUS (AB+)
Learning: trot & canter independently with and without stirrups; canter without holding the saddle; pole work and learning the 5 phases of jumping.
Promoted when: ready to apply technique to more challenging/greener horses
Test & Trial: may need some private lessons for next horse level transition; Invitation by Coach to try next level group lesson before confirmation; expectation to manage horse tacking/untacking; Riding Advance academy eligibility. Competition entry expected
Level 3
Child - Confident Rider (CB3) & Adult - Intermediate (AB1)
Learning: trot & canter independently with and without stirrups; canter without holding the saddle; pole work and learning the 5 phases of jumping. CB3s will be riding more demanding horses and situations and adjusting their riding to the horse's way of going, improving their jumping technique/grid work
Promoted when: ready to apply technique to more challenging/greener horses
Test & Trial: Invitation by Coach to try next level group lesson & demanding horses before confirmation; Riding Advance academy eligibility. Competition entry expected
Level 4
Child - Balanced Rider (CB4) & Adult - Advanced (AB2)
Learning: ride in to a contact; lateral work; understand what is happening beneath you
Test & Trial: Riding Advance academy eligibility. Competition entry expected