Riding Programs for Ages 8-12

Junior Horse Masters

This class is for 8 – 12 year old students with little or no previous riding experience. Students learn basic horsemanship (safety, handling, grooming), and basic riding technique. The goal of this class is to prepare riders with a strong, correct foundation from which to advance into increased independence and more complex riding skills. This course is designed to be on-going, and may be repeated until students have acquired sufficient basic horsemanship skill to advance with instructor approval.

Barn Apprentice

This is an intermediate level for students with a solid understanding of the basic principles of horsemanship who are still working on developing complete independence on and off the horse. Students practice tacking up their horses independently, work on riding independently at the walk and trot, and develop the posting trot. The goal of this class is for students to develop the problem solving skills to become confident and independent on and off the horse.

Student must be able to complete the following skills to be in this level:
• Can saddle English and Western unassisted*
• Is a safe rider in a group (maintains proper distance, passing etc)
• Able to halter and lead a horse unassisted and confidently
• Has complete control off lead at the halt, walk, and trot in arena*
• Is able to post a trot with a consistent cadence (with some assistance)

Barn Pro

This advanced class is designed to be an on-going class for students able to ride and handle horses independently. Students learn additional elements of the care and keeping of horses, to give their horse more complex aids in order to communicate more subtly with their horse, and improve their technique in the posting trot. The goal of this class is to refine riding technique and apply the rider’s skills to more complex riding tasks.

Student must be able to complete all previous level requirements and the following skills to be in this level:
• Able to adjust own stirrups
• Is able to ride off lead both inside and outside of the arena*
• Able to effectively use combined aids
• Able to trot unassisted using posting trot and/or sitting trot

Placements/Assessments for new students

This one time class is intended for new students that have previous riding experience elsewhere or returning students that are not sure which class to take. Students will be asked to demonstrate their skill level so that we can accurately place them in our new riding school programs.