WHAT LEVEL RIDER ARE YOU?
Atlanta Riding Skills Syllabus
Becoming a good rider involves repetition. Everyone progresses at a different rate. There are no short cuts for mastering the material and moving to the next level. Beginner riders and new riders will start in Mounted Games or Private Lessons. Riders interested in a spot in a group over fences class must pass a skills assessment.
Written Skills Assessment
Take the Quiz to find out your riding level.
LEVEL 1 Beginner Rider $135 each. Private Lessons Ages 10 and up
Mount/dismount
Correctly adjust tack
Two point at walk and trot
Posting trot
Reins adjusted correctly
Secure position
Ring figures
Diagonals
Work without stirrups
Complete Horse Care Requirements
Parts of tack, parts of horse
Patterns over poles
Effective transitions
Use of a crop
Emergency dismount/ Emergency stop.
Reading: US Pony Club 1st level Manual by Susan Harris
Level 2 Skills $85 each – Level 2 Riders are typically started in Mounted Games in groups of 2-4 people. These classes are suitable for beginners and new riders ages 11 and up.
Vital Signs
Leg Yields
Intro to Canter
Canter on a circle
Identify canter leads
Simple changes
Trot cross rails (adv novice)
Canter Poles
Count Strides
Intro to gymnastics
Written test
LEVEL 3 Intermediate Group Over Fences Class $300/mo. A skills assessment is required for placement in a group hunt seat class.
Lead changes.
Canter without stirrups
Cross rails without stirrups
Pick up stirrups at canter
Correctly use crop at the base of a jump
Lengthen and shorten at canter
Deeper knowledge of lateral work; shoulder-in and canter leg yields.
Apply novice skills to a variety of horses
Cantering courses of 8 jumps at least 2′ to 2’6.
Level 4 Advanced Group Lessons $300/mo.
Courses 2.6 and up
Flying Changes
Hunter vs Jumper vs Eq courses & design
Shoulder in/Haunches-in
Vertical flexion
Counter Canter
Spurs
Ability to ride a variety of horses
Jump a course without stirrups