Program Levels
All levels at GES incorporate safety, horsemanship and non-riding skill requirements as well as mounted skills. Below is a brief outline of each of our levels for basic English, Western & Jumping.
Level A - Introduction to safety, grooming, tacking up (putting on saddle/bridle), mounting, basic position, balance, stop, go, steering at the walk and trot, dismounting & untacking.
Level B - Riders can demonstrate an understanding of all skills in Level A at this point. Level B begins independent grooming/tacking, correct tack adjustment, consistent and independent work at walk & trot on the rail/off the lunge line. To complete this level riders must be able to groom and tack up with little to no assistance as well as work on the rail at the walk, posting and sitting trot as well as demonstrate steering over poles/obstacles. Riders must also be untacking correctly on their own.
Level B+ - Riders can demonstrate all Level B skills and become completely independent in grooming/tacking & mounting. Riders at this level work more with and without stirrups at the walk & trot to enhance their balance and core strength. They may work on trotting poles and over/through obstacles. They will learn about bathing their horse and additional grooming. To complete this level riders should be confident grooming, tacking, mounting without assistance as well as comfortable and balanced working at the walk and trot with and without stirrups inside and outside. These riders will also be independent in untacking, grooming and putting their horse away.
Level C - Riders are now proficient in getting themselves and their horses ready without an instructor both before and after their lesson. They can mount and adjust tack on their own. They can ride confidently at the walk & trot on different horses. At Level C riders start to work on cantering and over cross-rails/small jumps or cantering through patters. Basic dressage may also be introduced.
Jump 1 - Riders in Jump 1 can work at the walk, trot & canter in a group setting and can trot a cross-rail course. They will start to canter single jumps and learn about putting courses together at the canter. This level also introduces lead changes. To progress out of Jump 1, riders need to be comfortable cantering a course of jumps cross-rails to 2'.
Jump 2 - Riders in Jump 2 work on gymnastic exercises to improve their balance and course work. They understand lead changes and prompt transitions. They can work at the walk, trot and canter without stirrups and do course work up to 2'3. These riders have attended horse shows and know how to adjust their pace, track and balance to ride a course.
Jump 3 - Jump 3 riders can demonstrate course and jump work over a .70 meter course with oxers keeping their pace even and applying lead changes. This level works on refining all basic skills and introducing riders to the more technical aspects of higher jumping or more competitive riding. This level integrates lateral work, self-carriage, jumping out of hand and more to move riders up and ready them for the more technical aspects of .80 meter jumps and higher.
