Over the next few months this blog will cover the Riding Level 3 curriculum. A Level 3 rider is one who rides safely and with confidence, is comfortable at walk, trot and canter with good position in all three, is beginning to jump cross rails and small vertical jumps, and can ride with precision in a group. In terms of equivalent skills, our Level 3 checklist falls between that of Equine Canada Rider 3 and the Canadian Pony Club D2 level.
Here is the checklist for Riding Level 3:
- Mount independently. Adjust girth while mounted.
- Good position at walk, trot (sitting & rising) & canter.
- Exercises at walk & trot. Sitting trot no stirrups, drop and regain stirrups at trot.
- Effective upward and downward transitions.
- Circles and turns at trot with correct diagonal changes.
- Canter circles with correct leads.
- Rhythm and forward movement at all three gaits. Walk on loose rein.
- Dismount at the walk.
- Trot long side in single file; turn across arena in parallel to change direction.
- Correct spacing and control of canter in a group (max 4 to canter).
- Single hand reining: walk, trot and canter.
- On a longe-line canter with reins dropped; trot without stirrups or reins.
- Trot poles to a small jump showing good position and mane or crest release.
- Jump a small (18”) cross-rail course of 2 jumps and 1 or 2 sets of poles.
- Demonstrate safety, confidence & control of pace.
Our Riding Level 3 course covers these requirements over approximately two 6-week cycles. However, additional riding time is usually needed outside of the course to master these elements. It takes most riders six months to a year of regular riding and lessons to move from Level 2 to Level 3.
Mounted Combat Playday
Our first Mounted Combat playday is coming up on February 1st, and we hope many of you will come out to ride, volunteer or just watch the fun. Spectators welcome! Volunteers on the ground are always needed, and this is a good way to get involved in the playdays if you're not yet qualified to take part. To ride in the games you must have your Riding Level 1 or equivalent. For Mounted Archery you also need to have taken the Beginner Horseback Archery course, and to take part in Mounted Sparring you need to have your Green Spur.
Mounted Combat Playday
Sunday 1 February, 1pm - 4pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
$15 + $15 for use of school horse; spectators free!
Upcoming Courses
Intro to Mounted Combat
Sunday 1 February, 10am - 1pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
$149 + gst
Mounted Combat Skills
Saturdays 7 - 28 Feb, 3:00 - 4:30pm
Academie Duello, 412 W Hastings St, Vancouver
$120 + gst
Beginner Riding & Horsemanship
Sundays 8 Feb - 15 March, 10am - noon
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
$300 + gst
Level 2 Riding & Horsemanship
Sundays 8 Feb - 15 March, 10am - noon
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
$300 + gst
Horsemanship Level 3 or 4
Sundays 8 Feb - 15 March, noon - 1pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
$130 + gst
Riding Level 3+
Sundays 8 Feb - 15 March, 1:30 - 2:30pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
$200 + gst
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.