Riding Instruction

TAMARACK STABLES LESSON LEVELS

Lessons at each level are currently working on the skills listed below. Each rider should master the skills of the previous levels before enrolling in a class of a higher level. If you are lacking any skills at a certain level, focus on those in order to advance, or take a private to catch up. Riding at the appropriate level will help you and your peers advance further than just moving through the levels. Master these skills!

Beginner

• Limited riding experience
• Basic control of the horse in an enclosed arena
• Learning how to groom and tack
• Learning how to halt, walk and trot
• Learning how to complete figures at trot
• Learning how to post at walk and trot, and the elevated or "jump" position at walk

Beginner +

• Can groom and tack with limited assistance, adjust your own stirrups
• Can comfortably walk & trot
• Learning how to canter
• Can complete 10 and 20 meter circles at trot
• Can consistently identify diagonals at trot
• Can trot over a ground pole and hold a jumping (elevated) position

Advanced Beginner

• Walk, trot (posting & sitting) without stirrups or bareback
• Can consistently identify leads at canter
• Can trot & canter over series of 6 fences at 2'
• Correct riding of a diagonal line, can hold the horse in a straight line off of track
• Comfortable bathing a horse
• Can identify minor cuts, scratches and injuries, identify a lame or unsound horse

Intermediate

• Explain & properly use a half halt, and rein-back
• Feel diagonals and leads without looking
• Adjust pace & stride at trot, comfortably sit trot
• Can complete a 20 meter canter circle
• Canter & complete 2' course without stirrups or bareback
• Trot or canter over 6 fences set at 2'6" including bending lines and gymnastics
• Turn on the haunches, turn on the forehand, working through serpentines, half turns
• Holds a proper leg position at all gaits, can properly use spurs
• Correct use of the inside leg and outside rein to create bend
• Understand the use of different bits
• Can properly lunge a horse

Advanced

• Consistently complete a square halt, counter canter, simple changes of lead
• Can change between half-seat and full seat at trot and canter
• Can adjust horse's strides in jumping line
• Comfortable jumping a 2'6" course without stirrups
• Change of direction through a circle, shoulder-in, half-pass
• Create a "supple" frame, put the horse on the bit
• Basic conformation of the horse
• Proper tack fitting

Experienced

• Comfortable at hand gallop
• Flying changes of lead at canter
• Can set fences and strides
• Halt in a course of fences, proceed to a fence at trot
• Comfortable jumping a 3' course, without stirrups

Fall groups have started
Registration is
Underway Don't Delay!

Lessons available Sunday - Saturday

Group Lessons Begin at 8 years old

Private Lessons for all ages

Classes are available for all experience levels from beginner to advanced

New students may join at any time

Tamarack Stables offers group, semi-private and private riding instruction for all ages and skill levels. Group Riding lessons offer weekly instruction, with one 1-hour-long class each week. Classes are held every day of the week. Most group classes have 5-7 student riders per class.

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