Six to seven years of age is generally a reasonable age to start.

Your child should have:
1. The desire to ride.
2. Muscle strength to hold the proper position in the saddle.
3. The balance to remain on the horse.
4. The ability to understand instructions and follow directions.
5. Sufficient attention span for instruction.
6. Neck muscles strong enough to support fitted, approved protective headgear.
7. Because riding comes with a great deal of responsibility, children shouldn't start until they are ready to
8. learn how to groom and care for the horse.
9. Emotional maturity is just as important as physical development.

All lesson students need comfortable closed toe shoes with a heel and long pants. We provide a wide variety of riding helmets for those that do not own their own, however, you might want to own your own helmet. Before you purchase anything, please talk with Jennifer. While not required, there are special pants, called breeches or jodphurs, and special boots, called paddock boots.

Horse Showing Definitions:
The basic difference between hunters and jumpers is time. Jumpers ride a course and if they go around clear (do not knock a rail off) and have the fastest time they win. When hunters ride a jumping course, time is not important. Hunters are a much more subjective. Depending on the class either the horse or rider is being judged. Form, movement and consistency is important. The judge and not the clock makes the final decision.

Hunter = means judged on movement and look of the horse

Equitation = Judged on rider and how they look on the horse.

Jumper = Judged on speed and fewest faults

Faults = If you knock a rail or have a refusal while on course

O/F = Over Fences, the class will be ridden over a course of jumps, one rider at a time

W/T or W/T/C = Walk/Trot or Walk/Trot/Canter, what speed the riders will be asked to perform in U/S classes

U/S = Under Saddle, all riders will enter the ring, asked to W/T/C and judged on hunter

Flat = All riders will enter the ring, asked to W/T/C and judged on equitation

Challenge = a class that costs more and strenuously tests the riders ability

Equitation Medal = this is a class that consist of 2 phases, an O/F and a flat. Riders scored are combined and receive one ribbon.

Qualifiers = riders accumulate points and the top riders are invited to a year end competition

Strides = There is a certain measurement, based on a 12 foot stride, between 2 obstacles in a line. That measurement determines how many strides (steps) the horse should get. You calculate in 6' for landing and 6' for take off. Therefore a 60' measured line would equal 4 strides.

Add = This is 1 plus the determined measured stride. Therefore 60' measured line would equal 5 strides.

Green = means a young or less experienced horse

Divisions = consist of 2 Hunter O/F and 1 Hunter U/S

Points = Each ribbon has a point value and points are calculated for division champions

Champion = The person with the most points in a division

Reserve Champion = The person with the second highest points in a division

Entry Fee = A fee to enter a horse in a show

Lead= The term lead is used when a horse is cantering or galloping. While watching a horse canter, one of the front legs will strike out in front of the other. In hunters it is important for a horse to be on the correct lead and to maintain that lead.

Judging Basic Guidelines:

Hunter Over Fences: All classes must be judged on performance and soundness and when indicated, suitability or manners.

Judges must penalize unsafe jumping and bad form over fences, whether touched or untouched.
All horses must be serviceably sound. Horses that are not serviceably sound are ineligible for an award, including Under Saddle classes.

Circling once upon entering the ring and once upon leaving is permissible. When the class is held in a ring, the performance starts as the competitor enters and ends when he leaves. In the event of elimination, the horse must exit the ring immediately.

Minor or Major Faults: Showing an obstacle to a horse, Missing a lead change, Kicking out, Spooking, Jumping out of form, Jumping into corners of obstacles

Major Faults: Knock down of any part of an obstacle, Refusals, Trotting while on course when it is not specified, Bucking, Stopping for a loss of shoe or broken equipment, Circling while on course, Dangerous jumping.

Elimination: Three refusals, Off course, Jumping a fence before it is reset, Bolting from the ring, Fall of horse or rider. The following may or may not be considered as faults, depending on their severity and frequency: Light rubs, Swapping leads in a line, Simple lead changes Late lead changes, Excessive show of animation, Inconsistent striding.

Hunter Under Saddle Classes: Horses are to be shown at a walk, trot, and canter both ways of the ring.
Light contact with the horse's mouth is required. Horses should be obedient, alert, responsive, and move freely. They should not be eliminated for slight errors. Judges may ask horses to hand gallop collectively, one way of the ring. All horses being considered for an award must be serviceably sound.

Equitation Over Fences: Any rider not having his mount under sufficient control will be dismissed from the ring and disqualified from class.

The performance begins when the horse enters the ring. Except for refusals, jumping faults of the horse are not to be considered unless it is the result of the rider's ability.

The following will result in elimination: (a) fall of horse and/or rider; (b) three cumulative refusals; and (c) off course.

The following constitute major faults and can be cause for elimination: (a) a refusal; (b) loss of stirrup; (c) trotting while on course when not part of a test; and (d) loss of reins.

Each competitor may circle once before approaching the first obstacle. He then proceeds around the course keeping an even pace throughout.

Equitation Flat Classes: Riders enter the ring turning to the right and proceed counterclockwise.
All riders shall be worked both ways of the ring at all required gaits as directed by the judge.
The order to reverse can be executed by turning either toward or away from the rail.
Light contact with the horse's mouth is required.
Entries then line up on command.