Horse Riding Lessons and Ride Outs in Stockport

Bank Farm Riding School provides excellent horse riding opportunities for beginners and experienced riders in Stockport and the surrounding areas.

Be a proficient equestrian!

Are you interested in learning horse riding as a hobby? Or do you aspire to be a professional equestrian? Contact Bank Farm Riding School and we will give your dream a great beginning. All our trainers are qualified and have a wealth of experience; you can rely on us to teach our horse riding lessons at a pace comfortable to you.

In addition to riding lessons, we offer ride outs which information can be found below.

We also conduct excellent pony parties for kids. Have a look at our Parties Page and do not hesitate to get in contact with us.

Lessons at Bank Farm
It is always best to arrive at least 10 minutes before your lesson. This will give you time to check in at reception and find a suitable hat to wear if you need to hire one. We aim to start our lessons on time but ask that you be understanding if delayed. The time for each lesson includes the time spent mounting and checking stirrups and girth.

Upon completing each level children under the age of 16 will receive a Certificate if anyone over the age of 16 would like a Certificate upon completion on level please let Lindsey know

OUR LESSON LEVEL SYLLABUS’S AND HELP ARE ON THE LESSON DROP DOWN FOR EACH LEVEL

We also offer membership packages these can be found under Membership Packages page

	Wednesday – Friday	Weekends
1/2hr Private	£30.00	£35.50
3/4hr Private	£45.00	£52.00
1/2hr Semi (1-4 own group)	£26.50	£30.50
1hr Semi (1-4 own group)	£40.50	£45.50
3/4hr Group Lesson	£24.50	£24.50
1hr Group Lesson	£29.00	£29.00

HOW TO BOOK AN ASSESSMENT LESSON

once registered and added riders you can either go ahead and book or give Lindsey a call on 07990808212 to book and pay

1. First you will need to register with us:- https://bankfarmridingschool.ecpro.co.uk

2. Add you rider(s)

it will say that you have ungraded riders on your account however you require an assessment lesson prior to groups above Level 1

3. Click on the date you require to see what availability we have Select PRIVATE LESSON

4. Click on the time you would like

5. select rider / hat hire

6. ADD TO BASKED

7. Go to BASKET and then CHECKOUT and PAY

Once graded you will be able to see group lesson Levels that are at your standard and you are able to book these with the same process but rather than Clicking on Private Lesson it is GROUP LESSON instead

Level One

1. Mount correctly

(Both Reins and Whip into the Left hand and a clump of mane or on the neck, Right hand as far round to the back of the saddle DO NOT HOLD ON TO THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE SADDLE, Left foot in the stirrup, bounce 3 times and swing right leg over, not kicking the horses bottom on the way over and landing lightly on the saddle)

2. Dismount correctly

(Both feet out of stirrups, reins and whip in to left hand right hand on the front of the saddle lean forwards slightly and swing your right leg over the back of the saddle, landing on the left. On landing bend both knees and you should be facing the same way as the horse)

3. Hold reins

(Little finger underneath the rein thumb on top close your fingers around your reins – and palms of your hands facing each other)

4. Halt

(sit up nice and tall, heels down, toes up, palms of your hands facing sit on your bottom a little deeper, active walk, squeeze down both reins and gently pull back slightly, you can use your voice and ask your horse to “HALT”)

5. Walk

(sit up nice and tall, heels down, toes up, palms of your hands facing, keep your lower leg underneath you so you have a straight line Ear Shoulder Hip Heel, ride your horse through your hips and seat a little more, active walk horses head should be bobbing up and down nice and quick, you can use your voice and ask your horse to “WALK ON”)

6. Rising trot

(sit up nice and tall, heels down, toes up, palms of your hands facing, keep your lower leg underneath you, standing up and down as your horses’ trots, as the outside front leg goes forwards you should stand and as it comes back you should sit)

7.Walk without reins

8. Trot without reins

(sit up nice and tall, heels down, toes up, palms of your hands facing, keep your lower leg underneath you so you have a straight line Ear Shoulder Hip Heel, try not to tip forward)

9. Explain an Active Walk

(Horses is walking forwards with its head bobbing up and down nice and quick, back feet should fall where the front feet where)

10. Walk 20m Circles a and c

11. Simple Changes of Reins (A-C, C-A, B-E, E-B, M-K, K-M, F-H, H-F)

12. Bending in and out of cones

13. Around the world with helper

14. Balance

15. Learn to Run up Stirrups

16. Loosen Girth

Level Two

1. Explain Safety distances

(½ A HORSES LENGTH BETWEEN YOU AND THE ONE IN FRONT OR YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE ½ WAY DOWN THE HORSES TAIL IN FRONT, IF YOU GET TO CLOSE YOU CAN GET KICKED OR THE HORSES CAN HAVE A TIZZ)

2. Able to keep horse/pony going on own

3. Balanced Sitting trot

(SIT UP NICE AND TALL, HEELS DOWN, TOES UP, PALME OF YOUR HANDDS FACING, KEEP YOUR LOWER LEG UNDERNEATH YOU, YOU SHOULD HAVE A STRAIGHT-LINE EAR, SHOULDER, HIP, HEEL. SIT NICE AND DEEP IN TO THE SADDLE AND DO NOT HOLD YOU SELL UP IN YOUR STIRRUPS TO TRY AND STOP THE BOUNCE TRY TO ABSORB THE BOUNCE AND SIT DEEP FEEL FOR YOUR SEAT BONES).

4. Explain & Execute Prepare Transitions

(DEPENDING WHAT PACE YOU ARE GOING TO — SQUEEZE THE REINS LIKE SPONGES WHICH IS CALLED A HALF HALT, SITTING TROT (IF YOU ARE TROTTING), ACTIVE WALK (IF YOU ARE WALKING), SHORTEN REINS, POSITION- SIT UP TALL – STRAIGHT BACK- HEELS DOWN TOES UP – PALMS OF HANDS FACING, LEGS WRAPPED ROUND TO KEEP THEM GOING FORWARDS WETHER IT IS FORWARDS IN TO WALK OR IN TO HALT OR FORWARDS IN TROT PLUS RIDING THROUGH YOUR SEAT TOO)

5. Walk over poles

(POSITION- SIT UP TALL – STRAIGHT BACK- HEELS DOWN TOES UP – PALMS OF HANDS FACING, LEGS WRAPPED ROUND TO KEEP THEM GOING FORWARDS AND RIDING THROUGH YOUR SEAT TOO. LOOK STRAIGHT A HEAD DON’T LOOK DOWN SQUEEZE A LITTLE FIRMER OVER EACH POLE TO ENCOURAGE THE HORSES TO PICK THEIR FEET UP A LITTLE HIGHER)

6. Trot over poles

(POSITION- SIT UP TALL – STRAIGHT BACK- HEELS DOWN TOES UP – PALMS OF HANDS FACING, LEGS WRAPPED ROUND TO KEEP THEM GOING FORWARDS AND RIDING THROUGH YOUR SEAT TOO. IF RISING MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THE UP DOWN RYHTHM OVER THE POLE. LOOK STRAIGHT A HEAD DON’T LOOK DOWN SQUEEZE A LITTLE FIRMER OVER EACH POLE TO ENCOURAGE THE HORSES TO PICK THEIR FEET UP A LITTLE HIGHER)

7.Understand Diagonals

(AS THE OUTSIDE FRONT LEG GOES FORWARDS YOU STAND UP AS IT COMES BACK YOU SIT DOWN)

8. Know how to change Diagonals

(CHECK DIAGONAL, IF INCORRECT SIT FOR 2 BEATS (NOT 3 BEATS) 2 BEATS AND RISE UP AND DOWN AGAIN THEN RE-CHECK YOUR DIAGONAL)

9. Explain & Ride with the Correct position

(SIT UP NICE AND TALL, HEELS DOWN, TOES UP, PALME OF YOUR HANDDS FACING, KEEP YOUR LOWER LEG UNDERNEATH YOU,

LINE 1 IS – YOU SHOULD HAVE A STRAIGHT-LINE EAR, SHOULDER, HIP, HEEL

LINE 2 IS – YOU SHOULD HAVE A STRAIGHT-LINE ELBOW, HAND, TO YOUR HORSES MOUTH).

10. Trot 20m circles a and c

11. More difficult changes of Reins

(A-C, C-A, B-E, E-B, K-M, M-K, H-F, F-H, K-B, B-K, B-H, H-B, F-E, E-F, M-E, E-M)

12. Ride Independently

13. Walk without Stirrups

14. Balance for Level 2

15. Position for Level 2

16. Ruled of the School

(ALL RIDERS & HELPERS TO WEAR AN UP TO DATE STANDARD RIDING HAT, USE CORRECT ENTRANCES & EXITS, RESPECT ARENA PROPERTY & PROPERTY OF OTHERS, LEAVES ARENA AS YOU FIND IT, CONDUCT & PRACTICE GOOD HORSEMASTERSHIP, PICK UP MANURE, KEEP 1/2 HORSES LENGTH BETWEEN RIDERS, DOORS/GATES MUST BE CLOSES BEHIND YOU WHEN ENTERING AND LEAVING, BE AWARE OF OTHER RIDERS, DO NOT CUT ANYONE UP, HORSES WORKING AT A FASTER GAIT ARE GIVEN PRIORITY TO USE THE OUTSIDE TRACK, HORSES SHOULD PASS LEFT SHOULDER TO LEFT SHOULDER IF ON OPPOSITE REINS, IF YOU MUST STOP THEN MOVE TO THE CENTER OF THE ARENA, IF THERES A RUN AWAY HORSES ALL RIDERS MOVE TO THE CENTER & STOP, ENTER & LEAVE ARENA IN SINGLE FILE, BEWARE AT ALL TIMES OF RIDERS & THEIR HORSES AROUND YOU, PUT ALL EQUIPMENT AWAY AFTER USE)

Level Three

1. Explain prepare to Canter

(CHECK POSTIION, SHORTEN REINS SLIGHTLY, HALF HALT BUT KEEP LEG ON, SITTING TROT, ASK AS GOING IN TO THE CORNER, INSIDE BEND FOR CORRECT CANTER LEAD)

2. Explain & Use Aids to canter

(SITTING TROT –

LITTLE BIT MORE WEIGHT ON THE INSIDE SEAT BONE YOUR SEAT DRAWS UP THE HIND LEG STRONG RHYTHM -–

INSIDE LEG ON THE GIRTH ASKS FOR MILD BEND TO PREPARE THE INSIDE LEAD & HELPS WITH BALANCE-

INSIDE REIN DOES VERY LITTLE ACTS AS A NECK REIN IT SITS THERE AND PREVENTS HORSE DRIFTING OUT –

1 TO 3 HALF HALTS BEFORE TRANSITION TO BALANCE WEIGHT TO THE HIND END KEEP LEGS ON FOR IMPULSION AFTER THE HALF HALTS —

OUTSIDE LEG SLIGHTLY BACK BEHIND THE GIRTH TELLS THEM WHICH LEAD BEHIND

OUTSIDE REIN HELP TO CONTROL SPEED AND KEEP THEM OUT ON THE TRACK)

3. Figure of 8s

(2 20M CIRCLES PUT TOGETHER – NO STRAIGHT LINES)

4. Serpentines

(NO STRAIGHT LINES but when starting to learn a serpentine it is best to rid the straight line then the loop will become better with practice, LOOPS, EACH TIME CROSS OVER THE CENTER LINE SHOULD CHANGE DIAGONAL, LOOPS EQUAL) (3 LOOP, 4 LOOP, 5 LOOPS ECT)

(diagrams are 3 loops serpentine)

5. Trot 20m circles from E & B

6. Balance Canter

7. Understand & Explain Canter Lead

(HORSES FRONT INSIDE LEG SHOULD STRIKE OUT FURTHER FORWARD THAN THE OUTSIDE FRONT LEG

THEY TAKE OFF WITH THERE OUTSIDE BACK LEG AND LEAD WITH THERE INSIDE FRONT

(THEY CAN BE CORRECT WITH FRONT LEGS AND INCORRECT WITH BACK LEGS WHICH IS CALLED MANY NAMES BUT WE USE THE TERM DIS-UNITED THIS USUALLY FEELS AWFUL, BUMPY & OFF BALANCE. BACK TO TROT AND ASK AGAIN)

(IF THE HORSE IS INCORRECT IN FRONT BACK TO TROT ASK AGAIN)

8. Check Canter Lead Whilst mounted

9. Walk without stirrups

10. Trot without stirrups

11. Adjust Own Stirrups

12. Understand beats of Pace, Walk, Trot & Canter

WALK IS 4 BEAT EACH FOOT HITS THE GROUND INDEPENDENTLY

The footfall sequence is:

Left Hind – Left Front – Right Hind – Right Front.

TROT IS A 2 BEAT FEET GO IN DIAGONAL PAIRS

The footfall sequence is:

Left Hind + Right Front – Suspension – Right Hind + Left Front – Suspension

CANTER IS A 3 BEAT 1 PAIR OF FEET STRIKE AND THE OTHER 2 LAND INDEPENDENTLY

Right Lead Canter

Left Hind – Right Hind + Left Front – Right Front – Suspension

Left Lead Canter

Right Hind – Left Hind + Right Front – Left Front – Suspension

DON’T NEED TO KNOW GALLOP BUT IF THEY WANT TO KNOW IT IS 4 BEAT SEQUENCE

Right Lead Gallop

Left Hind – Right Hind – Left Front – Right Front – Suspension

Left Lead Gallop

Right Hind – Left Hind – Right Front – Left Front – Suspension

13. Position for Level 3

(VERTICAL LINE EAR- SHOULDER- HIP – HEEL, EYES UP AND AHEAD, STRAIGHT LINE FROM ELBOWS SOFT WITH SLIGHT BEND – HAND DOWN THE REIN TO THE HORSES MOUTH, THUMBS ON TOP POINTING TOWARDS HORSES EARS, SIT EQUALLY ARCROSS BOTH SEAT BONES, RELAX SEAT, HIPS & PELVIS, KNEE & THIGH REST LIGHTLY AGAINS SADDLE NOT GRIPPING)

14. Understand Aids (Natural & Artificial)

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN RIDERS AND HORSE)
ARTIFICIAL AIDS- MAINLY WHIPS & SPURS
NATURAL AIDS- VOICE, HANDS, LEGS, BODY, SEAT

(HANDS – COMMUNICATION THROUGH REINS TO THE BIT, SHOULD BE LIGHT FLEXIBLE- USE OF HAND AID MUST BE USED WITH SEAT, LEG AIDS- ABOVE HORSES WITHERS LEVEL WITH EACH OTHER

TURNING – GENTLE SQUEEZING THE REIN ASKS THE HORSE TO TURN HEAD IN THAT DIRECTION
HALTING –PRESSURE ON BOTH REINS WITH SEAT AND LEG PROVEDING ENERGY A HALT WILL PRODUCED

(VOICE – WORD, TONE & LENGTH OF TIME THE WORD IS HELD FOR INDICATES UPWARDS/DOWNWARDS TRANSITIONS

UPWARD TRANSITION – EMPHASIS THE LETTER WITH RISE IN TONE TOWARDS END OF WORD
DOWNWARD TRANSITION – LOWER TONE TOWRDS END OF WORD STRETCH THE WORD OUT
COLLECTION – CALM

(SEAT – COLLECTION, BALANCE, STEERING, FORWARD MOVEMENT, CONTROL, STABILITY

SEAT – CENTRAL IN SADDLE, EVEN DISTRIBUTION OF WEIGHT OFN SEAT BONES, ALTER WHEN ASK HORSE TO MOVE DIRECTION, DO NOT COLLAPSE THROUGH HIP
HIPS –LEVEL AT ALL TIMES, SUPPLE TO ALLOW MOVEMENT ABSORBED THROUGH SEAT
PELVIS – ABSORD MOVEMENT, HELPS CONTROL CENTRE OF GRAVITY, ENCOURANGES HORSE TO ACCELERATE

(LEGS – USED WITH SEAT & HAND TO COMMUNICATE – DIRECTION, GAIT, LEVEL OF ACTIVITY, UPWARD DOWNWARD TRANSITIONS, LATERAL MOVEMENTS

ON THE GIRTH – PRODUCES ENERGY/FORWARD MOVEMENT – BOTH LEGS ON THE GIRTH FORWARD/STRAIGHT, 1 LEG BEHIND THE GIRTH WILL ASK EITHER CHANGE DIRECTION OR CANTER DEPENDING ON LEVEL OF PRESSURE
LOWER LEG BEHIND THE GIRTH – ABOUT 2-3 INCHES MORE CONTROL OVER HINDQUARTERS- FORWARD, BACKWARD, DIAGONALLY OR SIDEWAYS MOVEMENTS, UPWARD TRANSITIONS EG CANTER OR LATERAL MOVEMENT EG LEG YIELD, BOTH LEGS BEHIND THE GIRTH CORRECT USE WITH SEAT AND LEGS WILL AID REIN BACK

(WHIP – INSIDE HAND USED TO BACK UP RIDERS LEG AND ENCOURAGE HORSE TO MOVE FORWARD)

(SPURS – ON THE RIDERS HEEL TO GIVE PRECISE LEG AID ONLY WORN BY EXPERIENCED RIDERS)

15. Balance

16. Check Girth

Level Four

1. Continue working on Balanced Cantering

2. Trotting Pole without stirrups

3. 7 phases of jumping

(TURN -APPROARCH-TAKE OFF-FLIGHT-LAND-GET-AWAY- TURN)
REMAIN BALANCED
IMPULSION
POSITION – OPEN SHOULDERS ON TURN
1. TURN – ACCURATELY – LINE UP WITH CENTRE – SIT UP – LOOK AHEAD – RIDE LEG TO HAND – KEEP BALANCED RHYTHM – IMPULSION
2. APPROACH – CENTRE OF JUMP – SIT UP – LOOK AHEAD CHANNELING HORSE FORWARD – BETWEEN HAND & LEG TO MAINTAIN STRAIGHT LINE – MAINTAIN IMPULSION & BALANCE
3. TAKE OFF – POINT WHICH HORSE GATHERS HINDLEGS UNDERNEATH ITS BODY & STARTS TO LIFT FOREHAND – LOWER LEG SECURELY WRAPPED ROUND – MAINTAIN ENERGY & FORWARDNESS – HANDS FOLLOW MOVEMENT OF HORSES HEAD NECK BUT MAINTAIN CONTACT THROUGH REIN – LOOK AHEAD
4. FLIGHT – IN THE AIR – FOREHAND WELL LIFTED, BACK WELL ROUNDED, FORELEGS & HINDLEGS TUCKED UP – FOLDED IN TO JUMPING POSITION, UPPER BODY LOWERED, SEAT SLIPPED TO BACK OF SADDLE – HANDS ALLOW STRETCH THE NECK, BACK & BODY GIVES FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT, WHILE MAINTAINING LIGHT CONTACT – LOWER LEG STAYS SECURELY WRAPPED AROUND MAINTAIN BALANCE
5. LAND – HORSE STRETCHES OUT & EXTENDS FORELEGS READY TO LAND – HORSE SHOULD LAND ON FORELEG WANTING THE CANTER LEAD ON – UPPER BODY COMES BACK UP – MAINTAIN CONTACT – LEGS REMAIN IN POSTION – LOOK AHEAD
6. GET AWAY - MOVING AWAY FROM THE JUMP TO THE NEXT – MAKE SURE HORSE IS BALANCED, PLENTY OF ENERGY & IMPULSION- CORRECT CANTER LEAD – LEGS SECURE
7. TURN – TURNS AWAY FROM ONE FENCE TO ANOTHER THIS STAGE STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN OR IF SINGLE FENCE STAY STRAIGHT

4/5. Able Ride A Demi Voltes & Reverse Demi Voltes

DEMI VOLTE – ½ 10 MENTRE CIRCLE TO THE CENTRE LINE THEN A DIAGONAL LINE BACK TO THE TRACK TO CHANGE THE REIN
REVERSE DEMI VOLTE – DIAGONAL LINE TO CENTRE LINE LETTER THEN ½ 10 METRE CIRCLE BACK TO THE TRACK TO CHANGE THE REIN

6. 2X ½ 10 metre Circles to change the rein

7. Turn on the Forehand

HALT, TO STOP FORWARD MOVEMENT APPLY STEADY PRESSURE ON REINS – SIT UP STRAIGHT
PRESSURE PLACED 3-4 INCHS BEHIND THE GIRTH WITH YOUR OUTSIDE LEG – HORSE WILL MOVE AWAY FROM THE PRESSURE, HORSES HIND LEGS WILL MOVE IN FRONT & ACROSS THE OTHER HIND LEG, THE OPPOSITE FRONT LEG TO YOUR PRESSURE LEG WILL ALSO MOVE AROUND THE OTHER FRONT LEG WILL STAY STILL
YOUR OTHER LEG (INSIDE) SHOULD BE KEPT STEADY SO TO KEEP YOUR BALANCE AND STOP THE HORSE TRYING TO TURN TOO QUICKLY
REINS TO CONTROL FRONT OF HORSE – GOOD CONTROL PREVENTS YOUR HORSE MOVING FORWARDS – OUTSIDE HAND LIFT UP AND BACK TO FLEX HORSES NECK SLIGHTLY IN THE DIRECTION OF TURN, FLEX UNTIL YOU CAN SEE CORNER OF EYE – USE OTHER REIN FOR SUPPORT TO KEEP HORSE FROM MOVING FORWARDS, OUTSIDE REIN CLOSE TO NECK
HALF HALT EACH STEP UNTIL COMPLETE TURN 180 DEGREES – POSITVIE PRAISE AFTER
TURNING RIGHT RIGHT LEG BACK – RIGHT REIN FLEX
TURNING LEFT LEFT LEG BACK – LEFT REIN FLEX

8. 15m circles in walk (A&C)

9. 10m circles in walk (A&C)

10. Lighten seat

INVOLVES STANDING ON YOUR OWN 2 FEET WHILE WORKING YOUR HORSE – BALANCE YOURSELF, NO LEANING, HOLDING ON CROUCHING DOWN ON NECK – CLEARANCE BETWEEN BOTTOM AND SADDLE – ALLOWS HORSE TO MOVE MORE FREELY – IMPROVES BALANCE, FITNESS AND COORDINATION- FEET CORRECTLY POSITIONED IN STIRRUP, ALLOWS ANKLES, KNEES & HIPS BECOME MORE EFFECTIVE SHOCK ABSORBERS – ENGAGE YOUR CORE (TUMMY MUSCLES) – STRAIGHT BACK – HANDS & ARMS INDEPENDENT KEEP CONTACT

11. Jumping Position

THIS INVOLVES THE RIDER CENTERED OVER HIS/HER FEET – STIRRUP LEATHERS 90 DEGREE ANGLE TO THE GROUND, CONTINUING A LINE UPWARDS FROM THE STIRRUP LEATHERS- THE HEAD, SHOULDERS & KNEES FALL IN FRONT OF THE LINE – HIPS FALL BEHIND IT

LEG HANG DOWNSIDE EVEN CONTACT ALONG WHOLE LENGTH – INNER THIGH, KNEE & CALF – WEIGHT ALONG BACK OF LEG INTO HEEL FLEXIBLE ANKLE
SEAT, HIPS & THIGHS –WEIGHT TOWARDS PELVIS, ENOUGH WEIGHT IN STIRRUP TO SUSPEND IN THE AIR OVER THE SADDLE – HIPS NOT TOO FAR FORWARD IT CHANGES THE BALANCE –HIPS, FLEXIBLE, MOVE BACKWARDS, BETWEEN FENCES THE THIGHS TAKE UP WEIGHT OF RIDER NOT THE SEAT BONES
UPPER BODY, SHOULDERS, HEAD, TRUNK – LOOK UP IN DIRECTION YOU ARE GOING – BACK FLAT – OPEN CHEST – SHOULDERS OPEN
RELEASE – GRAB MANE OR SLIDE HANDS UP CREST AS TAKE OFF

12. Single Fence Jumping

13. Be able to check & adjust girth while mounted

14. Understand & Explain Impulsion

MOVEMENT OF HOESE – FORWARD AND CONTROLLED POWER – EFFECTIVE USE OF POWER IN THE HIND QUARTERS – TO ACHIEVE A HORSE MUST NOT USE SPEED BUT USE MUSCLUAR CONTROL – HORSE RELAXED BACK WILL ALLOW HINDQUARTERS TO COME WELL UNDER ITS BODY AND THIS IS CALLED “ENGAGED”.

15. Understand Half halt & when Used

(A SPONGE EFFECT ON THE REIN(S))

16. Trotting Poles

17. Canter Poles

18. Raised Trotting Poles

TO BUILD UP MUSCLE ON TOP LINE SHOULDERS AND BACK – MORE FLEXIBLE – ENCOURAGES LEGS TO LIFT OVER JUMPS

19. Balance for Level 4

20. Position for Level 4

21. More Changes of Reins & Other Movements

22. Continue Perfecting school movements and changes of reins learnt in previous Levels

23. Canter 20m Circles

24. Start Strides

25. 15m circles in Trot (A&C)

26. 10m circles in Trot (A&C)

27. Canter without Stirrups

28. Acute Transitions

29. Confidence

Level Five

1. Jump combinations

2. Gird work

3. Knowledge of strides & Jumping Strides

4. 15m circles in trot

5. 10m circles in trot

6. Shallow loops

7. Poles in canter

Gait	Feet	Boot Lengths	Steps
Walk	2.5′ – 3′	3 – 4	1 normal
Trot	3.5′ – 4′	4.5 – 5	1 large
Canter	9′ – 12′	12 – 16	3 normal steps (9′ stride) or 4 normal steps (12′ stride)

8. Rein Back

ESTABLISH HALT – SEAT REMAIN IMMOBILE – LEGS ASK HORSE TO KEEP CONTACT WITH BIT – KEEP REIN CONTACT SOFT – MOVE BOTH LEGS BACK FROM HIP – KEEP WEIGH DOWN THROUGH BACK AND SEAT – ASK TO MOVE BACK, LEG, SEAT & REIN – WITH SEAT PRESS BACKWARDS, UPPER BODY STAYS TALL THIS ASKS THE HORSE TO LOWER HIS CROUP AND MOVE BACK – LEG AND REIN WORK IN ALTERNATE PAIRS, LEG REIN 1 SIDE ASK THEN THE OTHER SIDE, HORSE WILL MOVE BACK IN DIAGONAL PAIRS – RELEASE PRESSURE AND THEN ASK THEM TO MOVE FORWARDS AGAIN

9. Aids of a circle

INSIDE LEG — ON GIRTH — KEEPS IMPULSION – ENGAGES INSIDE HIND LEG – ASKS FOR BEND
OUTSIDE LEG – SLIGHTLY BEHIND THE GIRTH – CONTROLS HINDQUARTERS STOPS THEM FALLING OUT – GENERATES FORWARD MOVEMENT
INSIDE HAND – BEND THROUGH HORSES NECK
OUTSIDE HAND – CONTROLS PACE – PREVENTS NECK OVER BENDING – PREVENTS HORSE FALLING OUT THROUGH SHOULDERS
HIPS & SHOULDERS PARALLEL WITH HORSES SHOULDERS – BODY UPRIGHT – LOOK AHEAD ROUND THE CIRCLE

10. Canter without Stirrups

11. Continue Perfecting Jumping Position

12. Continue Perfecting Lighten Seat

13. Leg Yield

EASIEST WAY FROM ¾ LINE BACK TO THE TRACK – HELPS DEVELOP FEEL & COORDINAITON — FORWARD & SIDEWAYS – BODY REMAINS STRAIGHT –INSIDE FEET STEP REGULARLY & EVENLY INFRONT & ACROSS THE OUTSIDE FEET— RIDING ON 2 TRACKS

TURN ON TO ¾ LINE – FEW STEPS STRAIGHT
MOVE WEIGHT IN TO INSIDE SEAT BONE

INSIDE LEG SLIGHTLY BEHIND THE GIRTH –PUSH THE HORSES QAURTERS FORWARDS & SIDWAYS TOWARDS THE TRACK
OUTSIDE LEG ON THE GIRTH BUT IF THE HORSE STARTS TO LEAD WITH ITS QUARTERS MOVE THE OUTSIDE LEG BACK A LITTLE ALSO HELPS KEEP MOVING FORWARDS
INSIDE REIN – SLIGHT FLEXION TO INSIDE
OUTSIDE REIN KEEPS HORSE STRAIGHT – PREVENTS TOO MUCH NECK BEND – CONTROL OUTSIDE SHOULDER
AS HIT THE TRACK – REMOVE FLEXION AND MAKE HORSE STRAIGHT

14. Shoulder In

HIND LEGS ON LINE OF TRAVEL, SHOULDERS DISPLACED INSIDE — 3 TRACKS – OUTSIDE HIND LEG TRACKS ALONG WALL, INSIDE HIND LEG & OUTSIDE FORELEG ON SAME TRACK PARALLEL TO WALL, INSIDE FORELEG ON INNER TRACK PARALLEL TO WALL — BENDING BODY AROUND RIDERS INSIDE LEG WITH POLL FLEXED TO THE INSIDE – AWAY FROM THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL) KEEP RHYTHMIC, RELAXED, CONNECTED & WITH SOME IMPULSION – UNDERSTANDE AIDS FOR LEG YEILDING — HORSE MUST BEND CORRECTLY ON A 10M CIRCLE ASWELL

Start with a 10-meter circle
Inside rein leads the shoulders (and neck) off the wall while the inside leg pushes the rib cage and inside hind into the outside rein, which catches the shoulder and produces the half halt. The outside leg behind the girth keeps the haunches from falling out.
Weight equal on both sides,Horse follows your weight. If you sit to the inside too much, the horse might move in that direction and off the wall.
Your shoulders and hips should be turned inside slightly parallel to the horse’s shoulders so the outside hip and shoulder move forward
Horses shoulders should be on the wall at the end of the movement from the inside leg. Don’t stay in the shoulder-in for too long. There is no test that has the exercise ridden for more than half the long side (30 meters).

15. Dressage tests

16. Course work

17. Flying Changes

ASKING FOR LEFT FLYING CHANGE

SEAT – RIGHT SEAT BONE FORWARDS TOWARDS HORSES RIGHT EAR
RIGHT LEG – CLOSE RIGHT LEG ON GIRTH ASK HORSE TO GO FORWARDS DURING CHANGE
LEFT LEG – MOVE LEFT LEG BEHIND THE GIRTH SIGNAL NEW OUTSIDE HIND LEG TO STRIKE OFF INTO NEW LEAD – QUICK AID
LEFT REIN – CLOSE LEFT HAND IN A FIST TO KEEP LEFT HIND LEG ON GROUND AND MAINTAIN UPHILL BALANCE
RIGHT REIN – SOFTEN RIGHT REIN SO NOT TO BLOCK NEW INSIDE FRONT LEG FROM COMING FORWARD

18. Turn on the Forehand

HALT, TO STOP FORWARD MOVEMENT APPLY STEADY PRESSURE ON REINS – SIT UP STRAIGHT
PRESSURE PLACED 3-4 INCHS BEHIND THE GIRTH WITH YOUR OUTSIDE LEG – HORSE WILL MOVE AWAY FROM THE PRESSURE, HORSES HIND LEGS WILL MOVE IN FRONT & ACROSS THE OTHER HIND LEG, THE OPPOSITE FRONT LEG TO YOUR PRESSURE LEG WILL ALSO MOVE AROUND THE OTHER FRONT LEG WILL STAY STILL
YOUR OTHER LEG (INSIDE) SHOULD BE KEPT STEADY SO TO KEEP YOUR BALANCE AND STOP THE HORSE TRYING TO TURN TOO QUICKLY
REINS TO CONTROL FRONT OF HORSE – GOOD CONTROL PREVENTS YOUR HORSE MOVING FORWARDS – OUTSIDE HAND LIFT UP AND BACK TO FLEX HORSES NECK SLIGHTLY IN THE DIRECTION OF TURN, FLEX UNTIL YOU CAN SEE CORNER OF EYE – USE OTHER REIN FOR SUPPORT TO KEEP HORSE FROM MOVING FORWARDS, OUTSIDE REIN CLOSE TO NECK
HALF HALT EACH STEP UNTIL COMPLETE TURN 180 DEGREES – POSITVIE PRAISE AFTER

TURNING RIGHT RIGHT LEG BACK – RIGHT REIN FLEX
TURNING LEFT LEFT LEG BACK – LEFT REIN FLEX

19. Outline

CORRECT OUTLINE IS OUTCOME OF BUILD UP OF CORRECT MUSCLE – BENEFITS OF BEING RIDDEN IN THIS FRAME, NEEDS TO BE WORKING CORRECTLY, MOVE FREELY IN CONTACT, BACK RAISED & SUPPLE, NECK EXTEND IN LIGHT ARCH FROM WITHER TO POLL WITH NOSE JUST IN FRONT OF THE VERTICAL.

Balance

Aim to maintain a light rein contact to encourage the horse to stay in balance. Horse who is unbalanced and in particular heavy on their forehand will lean on the bit and the reins pulling the rider’s arms forward.

Stretching

When the rider moves their hands in a forward direction combined with the use of their leg and seat pushing, the horse to remain engaged through their hindquarters and light on the bit thereby allowing the rider to open out the horses neck and frame.
Stretching can be used when asking for free walk on a long rein or when opening the horses stride out, for example when riding lengthened strides.

20. Footfall

21. Acute Transitions

22. Balance

23. Position

24. Self Confidence

25. Helping the Horse

26. Confidence and ALL horses within the Riding School

Level Six

1. More work on Stridcs

	12hh	15hh	17hh
Trot to Bounce	7-8ft	9-10ft	11-12ft
Canter to Bounce	8-9ft	10-11ft	12-13ft
Trot Double 1 stride	14-16ft	17-19ft	20-22ft
Canter Double 1 stride	17-19ft	20-22ft	23-25ft
Trot Double 2 stride	23-25ft	27-29ft	31-33ft
Canter Double 2 stride	26-28ft	30-32ft	34-36ft
Treble – usually 1st part 1 stride, 2nd part 2 strides

2. More Grid work

3. Aids to Canter

4. Aids on a Circle

5. more combination work

6. Flying Change on Figure of 8

7. Outline

8. Turn on the Haunches

9. Acute Transitions

10. Canter Leg Yield

11. Balance

12. Position

13. Fluent over course

14. Drill work

15. Flying change on straight

16. Continue perfecting everything you have learnt over the levels – Keep going you never stop learning and improving

17. Lunging/Groundwork

This is the best riding school because A – it’s not dear, B – everybody that works there is so kind and I LOVE riding their horses (especially Cassie). All of the horses are well fed, bedded and looked after.

Chloe Williams