WHAT WILL I LEARN
Jumping
Jumping can be incorporated into your riding lessons from the start. You will begin by walking over poles and practicing your jumping position and you will eventually learn to see a stride and set your horse up correctly into a fence. During the summer, your riding instructor may incorporate our cross country, showjumping or working hunter fences into your lesson.
Dressage
Dressage is used as a broad term to encompass all riding on the flat. It ranges from the very basics of riding which are essential for whatever discipline you intend to go into, to the very highest levels which can be thought of as "dancing" on horseback. Dressage will be the basis of your riding lessons here at Bassingfield and will be the most important factor in improving yourself as a rider.
Sidesaddle
Sidesaddle is the traditional way that women would ride in the past. A special type of saddle is used which positions both the riders legs on the left hand side. Riding sidesaddle can be done at a competitive level today at most major shows. The Side Saddle Association run a number of affiliated classes, the main one being the Equitation, which judges the riding ability of the side saddle rider. Some sidesaddle enthusiasts also choose to jump and hunt sidesaddle. Private sidesaddle lessons at Bassingfield can be arranged with Helen.
Games
Mounted games is a fun yet valuable way of improving some of your riding skills such as balance and control of the horse. The pony club is the main national body responsible for organising competitive mounted games activities across the country. The aim of mounted games is to race through bending poles whilst carrying out certain tasks such as inserting flags into cones, placing cups onto hooks, passing batons to other members in your team etc. During your riding lessons you may practice some of the components of mounted games, such as picking up hoops from hooks or bending in and out of poles. Small games competitions are occasionally held at Bassingfield for customers.
Riding for the disabled:
- Bassingfield has a range of safe and amenable horses suitable for disabled customers.
A more detailed look at what you will be working towards during your riding lessons:
Beginner
Halt
- The correct aids and position
Walk
- The correct aids and position
- Achieving a regular rhythm
Trot
- The correct aids and position
- Achieving a regular rhythm
- Sitting
- Rising
- Riding on the correct diagonal
Canter
- The correct aids and position
- Achieving a regular rhythm
- Obtaining the correct lead
Turn
- Learn to steer your horse in any direction you desire
Jump
- Jumping position over a small jump/pole
- Begin to see the strides into the fence
Lateral work
- An introduction to moves such as leg yield
Novice
Improving the skills learnt previously
Halt
-Achieving a square halt
Altering your horse’s speed and stride length within each of the 3 paces
Some dressage terminology:
- Collected walk
- Medium walk
- Extended walk
- Free walk on a long rein
- Collected trot
- Working trot
- Medium trot
- Extended trot
- Collected canter
Bending
- Ride a corner correctly with the correct bend (flexion)
- Bending in and out of a circle
Contact
- Learn to achieve a soft and supple contact with the horse’s mouth
Lateral movements
- You will begin to learn how your horse should move away from your leg when asked
- Leg yield
- Turn on the forehand etc
Jumping
- Improving position and balance over a fence
- Control a horse’s speed into the fence
- Learn to see the stride into the fence
Intermediate
Improving on the skills learnt previously
The horse’s head and neck
- Begin to learn how to position your horse’s head and neck exactly where you want it (up, down, left, right) with a soft contact with the mouth
Lateral movements
You may be introduced to some more lateral movements such as:
- Shoulder in
- Shoulder out
- Turn on the haunches
- Half-pass
- Travers
- Rein back
Other moves such as walk to canter, counter canter etc
Advanced
- Be able to position the horse’s body exactly where you want it and control the different gaits with skill and precision
- You will learn to assess and school your horse as required
This is not a definitive list and the moves mentioned above are likely to be mixed and matched between the levels depending on the individual rider. Lessons are tailored to an individual’s needs and the structure of the lesson will ultimately be decided by the instructor and judged on a rider’s ability and personal aims.