RIDING LEVELS

Riding level descriptions allow us to accurately describe the contents of individual lesson times, as well as help new riders identify their abilities. These levels are for under saddle work, not horsemanship. We use a separate levels program for horsemanship.

BEGINNER

Beginner 1 / Introduction to Riding
No experience needed. Riding on the lunge line at the walk and rising trot. Learning how to steer independently at the walk. Introduction to rising trot off the lunge line and learning steering at the trot. Walk/trot transitions, trot/walk transitions. Maintaining the rhythm of the rising trot.

Beginner 2

Walk/trot off the lunge line. Half circle and reverse at walk and trot. Sitting trot. More precise steering. Get horses to walk/trot on their own while maintaining steering. Learning to ride schooling figures. Maintain two-point at halt/walk/trot. Trotting over ground poles. Canter on the lunge line.

Beginner 3
Trot in a group, trot single crossrails, canter individually, knows posting diagonals, sitting trot.

ADVANCED BEGINNER

Advanced Beginner 1
Canter individually, knows canter leads, circle at canter, canter individual jumps at 12–18” crossrails.

Advanced Beginner 2
Canter in a group, canter the outside line with jumps at 12–18” crossrails, understanding arena rules & etiquette.

Advanced Beginner 3
Demonstrate more consistent attention to posting diagonals, recognizing canter leads with 75% proficiency, perform a simple change, canter a 20m circle, canter across the diagonal over a ground pole, jumping both outside lines at a height of 18” verticals and 2’ crossrails. Be able to ride Intro A dressage test. **Students jumping are required to commit to adding a second lesson per week or lease a horse for further practice and progression in the sport at Advanced Beginner 3 and through Intermediate 2.

Advanced Beginner 4

More thorough understanding and execution of upward and downward transitions utilizing a half halt from walk/trot, trot/walk, trot/canter, and canter/trot using proper aids. Canter a figure-8 with simple changes, canter a small x-rail or vertical across the diagonal, perform above skills in the two-point position. Be able to ride Intro B dressage test.

INTERMEDIATE

Intermediate 1

Canter with proper leads in a group, canter jumping lines of 2’ verticals, canter simple courses of 4–6 jumps at 18”, simple change of lead, learn straight-line halt at canter. Proficient at Intro C dressage and schooling Training Level 1 dressage test.

Intermediate 2
Canter hunter courses at 2’, canter jumper courses at 2’, canter a simple oxer, demonstrate ability to walk/trot/canter a horse in open terrain. Introduction to Training Level 1 dressage test and asking for a lead change.

Intermediate 3

Proficiently jumping 2’3″ courses, riding Elementary XC. Schooling Starter XC or Combined Tests, gaining proficiency in lateral movements. Able to ride all Training Level dressage tests. **Students schooling and desiring to compete in XC or Horse Trials must add a minimum of 2 XC lessons per month to advance in the sport from Intermediate 3 to Advanced 2.

Intermediate 4
Jump 2’6″ courses, XC at Starter Level, placing above 65% in Training Level dressage tests. Introduction to shoulder-in, shorten/lengthen strides, 15m canter circles, flying lead change on an educated horse. Proficient at keeping the horse in contact/frame.

ADVANCED

Advanced 1
Jump 2’9″ courses, Beginner Novice eventing, Low First Level dressage, haunches in/out, counter canter introduction.

Advanced 2
Jump 3′ courses, Novice eventing, First Level dressage, execute consistent leg-to-hand contact, beginning to canter 10m circles. Students must demonstrate asking for a lead change at the canter, be able to ride a flying change, and develop a more proficient seated trot.

Menu

Home

Pricing

Work With Us

Contact Info

Address:
5000 John Mosby Hwy., Millwood, VA, United States, Virginia 22620

Phone:
(540) 900-1929

Email:
windywillowequine@gmail.com

RIDING LEVELS

Riding level descriptions allow us to accurately describe the contents of individual lesson times, as well as help new riders identify their abilities. These levels are for under saddle work, not horsemanship. We use a separate levels program for horsemanship.

BEGINNER

Beginner 2

Beginner 3Trot in a group, trot single crossrails, canter individually, knows posting diagonals, sitting trot.

ADVANCED BEGINNER

Advanced Beginner 1Canter individually, knows canter leads, circle at canter, canter individual jumps at 12–18” crossrails.

Advanced Beginner 2Canter in a group, canter the outside line with jumps at 12–18” crossrails, understanding arena rules & etiquette.

Advanced Beginner 4

INTERMEDIATE

Intermediate 1

Canter with proper leads in a group, canter jumping lines of 2’ verticals, canter simple courses of 4–6 jumps at 18”, simple change of lead, learn straight-line halt at canter. Proficient at Intro C dressage and schooling Training Level 1 dressage test.

Intermediate 2Canter hunter courses at 2’, canter jumper courses at 2’, canter a simple oxer, demonstrate ability to walk/trot/canter a horse in open terrain. Introduction to Training Level 1 dressage test and asking for a lead change.

Intermediate 3

Intermediate 4Jump 2’6″ courses, XC at Starter Level, placing above 65% in Training Level dressage tests. Introduction to shoulder-in, shorten/lengthen strides, 15m canter circles, flying lead change on an educated horse. Proficient at keeping the horse in contact/frame.

ADVANCED

Advanced 1Jump 2’9″ courses, Beginner Novice eventing, Low First Level dressage, haunches in/out, counter canter introduction.

Advanced 2Jump 3′ courses, Novice eventing, First Level dressage, execute consistent leg-to-hand contact, beginning to canter 10m circles. Students must demonstrate asking for a lead change at the canter, be able to ride a flying change, and develop a more proficient seated trot.

Beginner 3
Trot in a group, trot single crossrails, canter individually, knows posting diagonals, sitting trot.

Advanced Beginner 1
Canter individually, knows canter leads, circle at canter, canter individual jumps at 12–18” crossrails.

Advanced Beginner 2
Canter in a group, canter the outside line with jumps at 12–18” crossrails, understanding arena rules & etiquette.

Intermediate 2
Canter hunter courses at 2’, canter jumper courses at 2’, canter a simple oxer, demonstrate ability to walk/trot/canter a horse in open terrain. Introduction to Training Level 1 dressage test and asking for a lead change.

Intermediate 4
Jump 2’6″ courses, XC at Starter Level, placing above 65% in Training Level dressage tests. Introduction to shoulder-in, shorten/lengthen strides, 15m canter circles, flying lead change on an educated horse. Proficient at keeping the horse in contact/frame.

Advanced 1
Jump 2’9″ courses, Beginner Novice eventing, Low First Level dressage, haunches in/out, counter canter introduction.

Advanced 2
Jump 3′ courses, Novice eventing, First Level dressage, execute consistent leg-to-hand contact, beginning to canter 10m circles. Students must demonstrate asking for a lead change at the canter, be able to ride a flying change, and develop a more proficient seated trot.