Horsemanship Level 1: Untacking
After your ride, the work’s not done. All that tack has to come off and your horse needs to be groomed again. The next part of our Horsemanship Level 1 checklist is
- Untack & clean bit
Once more we’ll join Ali & Noah, for a great video:
Although quite complete for the untacking procedure, I prefer a more thorough grooming than this after a ride; and I always start with the feet, which lets you check the legs right away for injuries.
Once you’ve taken the bridle off and secured your horse, rinse the bit and rub it clean with your towel or stable cloth. This prevents food and slobber from collecting in the corners of the bit. As well as being unsightly, ‘bit crud’ also hardens and creates rough spots which can hurt the horse’s mouth.
When putting tack away, hang the bridle by the crownpiece, with the reins looped up so as not to trail on the floor. The saddle should go on its stand or boss with the stirrups run up and the saddle cover on. The girth lies over that, and the saddle pad goes on top of everything, damp side up to air dry. Clean hair out of your brushes and put your grooming kit in order before putting it away.
Next week: Basic feeding
Classes at Cornwall Ridge
Note that riding classes can be taken on a drop-in basis if we have 24 hours notice.
Riding Level 4+, Jumping
A six-class series for riders working on Level 4 and up with a focus on jumping gymnastics and stadium courses. Cross-country jumping included as weather permits.
Prerequisite: Riding Level 3
Saturdays 1 June – 6 July
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Cost: $275 + gst
Individual classes: $55 ea, space permitting
Instructor: Isabel Landels
Riding 3, Jumping
A six-class series for riders working on Level 3 with a focus on jumping and galloping position, poles, cross rails, and low fences. Riders may have the opportunity to ride out in the fields, weather permitting.
Prerequisite: Riding Level 2
Saturdays 1 June – 6 July
5:00 – 6:00 pm
Cost: $275 + gst for 6 classes
Individual classes: $55 ea, space permitting
Instructor: Eleanor Landels
Riding Level 1-2
This class is for participants who are able to tack up and untack independently and who are working towards their Riding Level 1 or 2.
Prerequisite: Horsemanship Level 1
Saturdays 1 June – 6 July
5:00 – 7:00 pm
Cost: $275 + gst for 6 classes
Individual classes: $55 ea, space permitting
Instructor: Eleanor Landels
Riding Level 3+, Flat
A six-class series for riders working on Level 3 or higher with an emphasis on flat-work and lower level dressage. Some ground poles and cavaletti may be included.
Prerequisite: Riding Level 2
Sundays 10am - 11am
23 Jun - 28 July
cost: $275 for six classes
single classes: $55 each if space available
Instructor: Isabel Landels
Riding & Horsemanship Level 2
This six class course is for Riders who have achieved Horsemanship level 1 and are working towards Horsemanship level 2, Riding level 1, or Riding level 2. The Horsemanship portion includes identification, routines of the horse, care & cleaning of saddlery, riding etiquette, and safe handling. Riding curriculum covers basic seat position, single-hand reining, games skills, canter work, introduction to drill work, introduction to jumping, and longeline work.
Prerequisites: Horsemanship Level 1
Sundays 10am - noon
23 Jun - 28 July
cost: $375 for six classes
single classes: $75 each if space available
Instructor: Eleanor Landels
Beginner Riding & Horsemanship
This six-class course is designed to help the beginning rider achieve Horsemanship and Riding Level 1.
The Horsemanship portion includes haltering, leading & securing your horse; points of the horse; parts of the saddle & bridle; grooming & tacking up; untacking and care of tack; basic feeding and needs of the horse.
The Riding curriculum covers turn out and checking tack, mounting & dismounting, warm up exercises, - basic seat position, aids for walk, trot and halt, circles & turns, rising trot, ground rails, introduction to canter if ready, single hand reining, stirrupless work, and introduction to games skills
The cost of the course includes one free riding or horsemanship assessment. Students can expect to be ready to assess Horsemanship Level 1 at the end of the six classes. Readiness for Riding Level 1 typically takes two iterations of the course.
Prerequisites: none
Sundays 10am - noon
23 Jun - 28 July
cost: $375 for six classes
single classes: $75 each if space available
Instructor: Isabel Landels
Mounted Combat Fundamentals
Before you get on a horse with a sword in your hand it is essential to have good fundamental swordplay skills from the ground. This six-week course covers the basic Mounted Combat skills needed for your Green Spur. Students who have achieved these skills along with Riding and Horsemanship Level 1 will be eligible to participate in Mounted Combat classes on horseback.
This workshop is intended for novice practitioners with the longsword.
Prerequisites: none
Sundays 1:30 - 3:00pm
23 Jun - 28 July
Cost: $165 + GST
Mounted Combat Arts Intensive
The level 1 Mounted Combat Arts Intensive is a one-week 50-hour immersive program for practitioners of all levels. Throughout the week you will learn the foundation of our approach to Italian Longsword, English Riding, and Horsemanship. Each day we will develop you as a rider and martial artist through detailed practical and theoretical lessons.
There are two streams in the course: one for people with riding experience and one for those without. We also take into account differing levels of swordplay experience so that complete novices as well as experienced HEMA practitioners will benefit from appropriate levels of instruction.
Successful completion of the program allows you to examine for our Horsemanship Level 1 and Mounted Combat Fundamentals qualification. Some students, depending on prior experience, will also be able to challenge Horsemanship Level 2 and Riding Levels 1 or 2.
Wednesday – Sunday, 31 July – 4 August
9am – 7pm
cost: $1045 full day
$895 half day
Instructors: Jennifer Landels, Devon Boorman, et al
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.