We’re about halfway in our walk through the Blue Spur curriculum, and now it’s time to turn our attention back to Horsemanship. For the next couple of months the blog will look at the requirements for Horsemanship Level 3. Whereas Level 2 was simply a more in-depth version of the Level 1 topics, in Level 3 we start to broaden the scope of knowledge into trailering, conditioning, vet & first aid, and farriery. A Level 3 Horseman is someone who not just cares for the horse before and after her ride, but is also capable of attending the animal throughout the day. This is the minimum level of knowledge you would want before venturing into horse ownership. The Level 3 checklist is:

All the level two requirements
Describe good and bad features of a chosen horse’s pasture & stall.
Describe how to lead in and out of a trailer
Knowledge and adjustment of own tack
Identify common bits and their uses
Know feed schedule and amounts for own horse (or horse to be used)
Use and knowledge of full grooming kit
Cooling out and after-ride procedures
Signs of good health, TPR, maintenance of health, signs of colic
When to call the vet; types of wounds and treatment
External parts of the hoof. Signs trimming or re-shoeing is necessary.

When you do your Level 3 test we don’t ask you to demonstrate all the Level 2 requirements if you have done your Level 2 with us in the last two years. However, your examiner may ask one or two Level 2 questions just to make sure that knowledge is still firm. With that in mind, here are the links to all the Horsemanship 2 content for review:

Duello Days Open House Tournament

We had a great showing and beautiful weather for the Open House and Mini Games Tournament on Sunday. Following a demo by the Richmond Pony Club we ran five games divisions. The winners are:

Open
Winner: Kirsten on Mystery
Runner up: Kat on Dallas

Intermediate
Winner: Monica on Princess
Runner up: Chris on Flavie

Novice (Senior)
Winner: Dan on Flavie
Runner up: Will on Winnie

Novice (Junior)
Winner: Adeline on Princess
Runner up: Alastair on Princess

Leadline
Winner: Martina on Princess
Runner up: Mary on Flavie

There are more fabulous Duello Days events happening this week every day through Sunday. Check out the events and workshops calendar for details and then come on out to join the fun!

Upcoming Workshops & Events

Cross-country schooling
Friday 8 August
time: 6-8pm
cost: $60 or 1 flex-pack credit
pre-requisite: Riding Level 2

Starting at 6pm I will take two groups of up to 4 riders cross country schooling in the back fields. Riders must have a minimum of riding level 2.

Horseback Archery – Beginner
Sunday 10 August
time: 10am – 1pm
cost: $90 + gst
pre-requisite: none

In this three hour workshop for beginners you will spend an hour and a half on the ground learning the fundamentals and body mechanics of Hungarian style horse archery. You will then have an opportunity to shoot from both the falsemount (wooden horse) and real horses led by experienced handlers. This workshop is appropriate for beginner archers and riders, experienced archers who would like to learn to shoot from horseback, and experienced riders who would like to add archery to their repertoire of mounted skills.

Horseback Archery – Intermediate
Sunday 10 August
time: 2pm – 5pm
cost: $60 or 1 flex-pack credit
pre-requisite: Beginner Horseback Archery plus Riding level 1 or equivalent

This workshop is intended for those who have already taken Beginner Horseback Archery. We will spend about an hour on the ground refreshing our shooting skills, then move to horseback for the remainder of the workshop.

Cavaliere Classes
Saturdays 16, 23 & 30 August, 6 Sept
time: 4:00 – 7:30pm
cost: $60 1 flex-pack credit

Here is an unusual chance to take weekly Cavaliere Classes. Because we didn’t run them in July, we’ll be running the classes every Saturday afternoon from August 16^th through September 6^th. What could be better than Horsemanship, Riding and Swordplay in the balmy August evenings at Red Colt? This is the perfect time to brush up on your skills before Carosella which is coming up September 12-14^th!

Mounted Combat Workshop
Sunday 7 September
time: 1- 4pm
location: Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
cost: $60

Swordplay from the ground, the falsemount, and from horseback.
prerequisites: Intro to Mounted Combat or permission from the instructor

Carosella 2014
Friday – Sunday, 12-14 September

Three full days of Mounted Combat, Archery and Skill at Arms. There will be workshops on foot and on horseback for all levels of riders. Set the days aside, and watch this space for details!

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.