Absolute Beginners:
This is an 8 week course of lessons. You choose the lesson time of 1/2, 3/4, or 1 hour depending on your circumstances. It is designed for those who have never ridden, or have done very little. As well as classical riding instruction, the teaching takes a very gentle approach using yoga and body awareness techniques. Not only are you learning to ride, you are also improving your posture, balance and sense of rhythm.
Novice:
For those who have confidently completed the above course, or those who have had some riding experience - able to ride walk, trot and canter. This is an eight week, one hour class course building on the skills and using the same teaching principles as the beginners course. You will develop your sense of feel, learn to ride without force and form a greater bond between you and the horse. Lateral work and pole work will be introduced at this level.
Intermediate / Advanced:
For those who have confidently completed the Novice course, or for those who ride or have ridden regularly - able to ride walk, trot, canter, perform basic lateral work and have at least a little experience of jumping. Again, this eight week, one hour class course will build on the skills stated in the above course. The lessons will be led further into the disciplines of dressage and show jumping. Having successfully completed this course, there will be many opportunities to compete on one of our horses at our shows.
All of the group courses can be done as private sessions if required.
The British Horse Society's Progressive Tests:
This involves training in both riding and stable management. Each of the six tests become progressively more challenging. If all are completed, you will attain the British Horse Society's 'Stage One' certificates in riding and horse care. You need to have successfully completed the beginner's course, or be able to ride walk, trot and canter to train for the first test. Training for each test is covered in an eight week course of about two and a half hours per week, with the test itself on week nine.
NB:
If you have some riding experience (walk, trot, some canter), you can move straight to novice level.
