The objectives of the course are to enable the student to:

• acquire the basic riding skills at the walk, trot (sitting and rising) and canter
• to perform a Primary level dressage test and complete a starter level combined event.
• Gain a solid understanding of the basic equitation principles and a knowledge of the care and management of horses (hippologie)
• To competently ride cross country, understand equitation and compete in low hunter/jumper classes.
  

Part 1 Practical

• ensure all the criteria outlined in the Primary progamme is firmly acquired
• mounting and dismounting, with and without stirrups
• work with and without stirrups at the 3 gaits on both reins
• the balanced position, its necessity and uses
• summary notion of the aids. Understanding simple rein effects.
• The importance of Simple rein effects vs. reins of opposition
• action of the two legs and the two hands, and independent use.
• turning : the OPEN and Direct reins. The counter and indirect reins.
• the gaits and their mechanism
• posting with a diagonal ; why it should be changed
• the balanced position at the trot and canter cross country.
  

Part 1 Theory

• parts of the horse ; terminology, equivalents to man’s anatomy
• colours and markings ; importance
• the structure of the hoof. Correct trimming. What to look for. The shoe. Its parts.
• Stable vices. How to overcome them
• Parts of the tack and Names . dismantling & putting together.
• Fitting the tack to the horse ; bridle/saddle/girth/pads/wraps.
  

Part 2 Practical

• Suppling exercises. Principle movements and reasons thereof
• Turning – the counter rein / indirect rein
• Basic balance of the masse (horse/rider combined)
• Transitions and halting.
• Co-ordinating the aids ; seat, hands. Legs and weight. Balance & motion.
• The meaning of adjusted reins, rein tension ; tension in the topline.
• Ring figures and terminology. Letters.
  

Part 2 Theory

• Sound knowledge of the history of horsemanship through the ages
• Knowledge of the different breeds, their uses and adaptation to today’s equestrian sports
• Tack, its care and upkeep. Types. Saddle trees.
• Bridle parts, different bits and their uses and action on the horse.
• The hoof/shoe ; terminology
• Summary notion of competition Rules and regulations
  

Part 3 Practical

• transitions from slower to faster gaits, adherence of the seat
• canter starts by loss of balance. Mechanism of the canter
• the meaning of constant contact, tension and the difference thereof.
• Holding the reins correctly, in both and in one hand
• The balanced position, over cavaletti and low obstacles at trot and canter
• Approaching a single obstacle, negotiation and mental attitude of horse & rider
  

Part 3 Theory

• blemishes of the limbs, their effect on the horse
• colic ; precautions and causes. Parasites and their cycles. Prevention.
• notion of the regular feeds, types, quantities, qualities. Watering, minerals and vitamins
• bedding, types and upkeep. Different types of barn floors, reasons
• types of barn construction and housing considering weather factors,
  Fencing.
  

Part 4 Practical

• Canter departs by extension (from trot) ; from walk
• The straight horse, reasons for its importance ; how to acquire it
• Summary introduction to longing. Reasons. Free and line work
• Work without stirrups at the three gaits using trotting poles and cavaletti
• Introduction to small jumper course, cross country course, its negotiation
• Introduction to the basic level dressage tests (Basic 1 - Basic 4/Medium 1)
• Introduction to basic Vaulting (optional for candidates over 25)
  

Part 4 Theory

• basic revision of the previous subjects
• Introduction to the notion of opposition.
  Reasons and effects on the horse.