The days are getting shorter, but that doesn't keep us out of the saddle. There is still programming happening into December, so come on out and enjoy crisp autumn sunshine with a sword in your hand and a horse beneath you.
Private Classes & Drop-ins
There are one or two drop-in spaces available for selected Riding dates in the current Riding and Horsemanship series. To join in the Riding & Horsemanship Level 1-2, or Riding Level 3+, call the front desk at 604 568 9907.
Riding & Horsemanship Level 1-2
Mondays October 12, 19 & 26
6:30 - 8:30pm
cost: $60 per class
Riding Level 3+
Mondays October 12, 19 & 26
7:30 - 8:30pm
cost: $45 per class
Private classes with Stephanie Laversin are available on Thanksgiving Monday, late afternoon and early evening at Red Colt. She is also available for lessons on Wednesday evenings. To arrange a private lesson email Jen at jennifer(at)academieduello.com.
Upcoming Classes
Beginner Riding & Horsemanship
New or relatively new to riding? This class is for you! Learn everything you need to know to get your journey in the saddle started, from handling, grooming and tacking up, to confidently riding at a walk and trot. Course fees include a riding or horsemanship assessment on the afternoon of November 22nd.
Sundays 18 October - 22 November
10am - noon
cost: $300 + gst for 6 classes
prerequisites: none
If you have completed Horsemanship Level 1, you have the option of staying with the Beginner course or moving on to this class as you work towards your Riding Levels 1 and 2.
Sundays 18 October - 22 November
10am - noon
cost: $300 + gst for 6 classes
prerequisites: Horsemanship Level 1 and some riding experience
This series of six classes will cover the material needed to achieve either Horsemanship 3 or 4.
Sundays 18 October - 22 November
10:30am - 11:30am
cost: $130 + gst for 6 classes
prerequisites: Horsemanship Level 2
This series of six classes is tailored to the participants' needs as they work towards the higher riding levels in the program. Course curriculum consists of improving the quality of walk, trot and canter, lateral movements, quadrille and pas-de-deux work, mounted games skills, trot poles, gymnastics and jumping courses.
Sundays 18 October - 22 November
noon - 1pm
cost: $200 + gst for 6 classes
prerequisites: Riding Level 2 or permission of instructor
Mounted Combat - Beginner
Learn swordplay and grappling techniques from the ground and from the falsemount to prepare you for mounted combat. By the end of this course, you should be able to sign off your Mounted Combat checklist, and if you have your Riding and Horsemanship level 1 you will be eligible for Green Spur classes.
Tentative dates: Sundays 18 October - 15 November (to be confirmed)
Mounted Combat - Intermediate
This course is designed for riders who have achieved their Green Spur and are working towards the next rank. You will spend roughly half the time on horseback and the other half on the ground and falsemount working on your grappling, swordplay and spear skills. Each five-week course will have a specific focus to address one area of the Blue Spur checklist.
Tentative dates: Sundays 18 October - 15 November (to be confirmed)
This is the last assessment date of the year. Make sure you set aside time for this to level-up before the 2016 season starts! A single assessment (Riding, Horsemanship, or Mounted Combat) is included in the cost of the above courses. Additional assessments are $50 or $80 for two parts. Even if you are currently registered in a weekly course, you must sign up ahead of time to ensure you have a space in the assessment.
Sunday 22 November
1:00 - 4:00pm
cost: $50 for 1 section; $80 for 2 or 3 sections
prerequisites: permission to assess
Finish off the year with friendly competition to test your skills in mounted games, archery and combat! Spectators welcome, and volunteers always needed. Hot chocolate and goodies will be on offer. Come out and celebrate with us!
Sunday 6 December
1:00 - 4:00pm
cost: $15 + $15 if school horse used
spectators: free!
Jennifer Landels heads up Academie Duello's Cavaliere Program. She has been swordfighting since 2008, and riding since before she could walk. She started the program as an excuse to combine those passions. Read more from Jennifer Landels.