Riding (RIDE)

Students gain a solid foundation of riding fundamentals both on and off of the horse. Students learn and solidify the basics of safe horse handling techniques, as well as proper position and control on the horse. [This 1-credit-hour course may be taken up to three times for credit.]

Students who have limited riding experience or limited hunter-jumper seat experience develop a solid foundation in this course. Students learn the basics of position and mechanics on the flat and over small fences, as well as how to correctly care for the horse before and after exercise. [This course may be taken up to three times for credit.]

This course is designed for students who have some forward seat riding experience. Students build upon the basics of the proper position through an exploration of hunter and jumper seat equitation principles in preparation for work over fences. Students provide correct horse care before and after each lesson. [This course may be taken up to three times for credit.]

In this course, students learn foundational equestrian skills, such as basic riding techniques and dressage principles. Focusing on proper posture, seat position, and balance, students practice control and communication in an equine environment. Students gain knowledge in fundamental dressage movements while incorporating instructor feedback to refine their techniques.

Students who have competition experience in the hunter-jumper disciplines refine the skills necessary for advanced flatwork and jumping principles in this course. Instruction emphasizes the concepts of contact, bending, transitions, and improving the horse's balance on the flat and over fences. [This 1-credit-hour course may be taken up to three times for credit.]

This course concentrates on the refinement of position to increase rider skill. Students work on riding confidently with stirrups or without stirrups, and negotiate equitation and hunter courses. A variety of horses are used to allow students to develop the ability to finesse different temperaments and behaviors. [This course may be taken up to three times for credit.]

Students investigate the classical dressage concepts of rhythm, relaxation, and connection. Course content emphasizes correct use of natural and artificial aids while maintaining a classical position on the horse. Students learn exercises to increase the horse's lateral and longitudinal flexibility and mastery of the movements for training and first-level dressage. [This 1 credit hour course may be taken up to three times for credit.]

Exploration of the training pyramid as it applies to self-carriage of the horse is the focus of this course. Content focuses on creating connection from the leg to the hand and impulsion. Students perform shoulder in, travers, 10-meter circles, rein back, counter-canter, and medium paces. Emphasis is placed on the rider's body alignment and balance in order to apply aids correctly. [This 1 credit hour course may be taken up to three times for credit.]

The ability to ride, train, and prepare horses for the show hunter ring is emphasized. Students apply an understanding of the history and tradition of riding show and field hunters. Emphasis is placed on correct hunter carriage in the under-saddle classes and correct hunter form over fences. Students learn to analyze courses' content and degree of difficulty to maximize the horse's performance. [This 1 credit hour course may be taken up to three times for credit.]

Riders develop skills to help them understand and execute the United States Equestrian Federation Equitation tests by practicing the necessary requirements for riding in the equitation divisions. Students concentrate on how to analyze and ride particular equitation courses and various horses. [This 1-credit-hour course may be taken up to three times for credit.]

Students develop riding and training strategies for the types of courses found in the USEF jumper divisions at recognized competitions. Courses are walked, analyzed, and executed. The course employs the American Forward Riding System with emphasis on how various types of jumps and combinations of jumps influence the horse and rider on course. [This 1-credit-hour course may be taken up to three times for credit.]

This mounted course challenges riders to experience the sport of eventing, while learning the standards of safety, policies, rules, and regulations set by the United States Eventing Association. Topics covered include the safety and welfare of horses and riders, dressage, cross-country riding, conditioning, and riding show jumping courses. [This 1-credit-hour course may be taken up to three times for credit.]

Students evaluate a horse's physical and mental development, and create and implement an individualized training regimen suitable for the horse's specific needs. Groundwork and mounted work consistent with sound training philosophies are utilized. Students also gain the vital skills of understanding when a horse is ready to progress and how to recognize signs that the training needs to go in a different direction. [This course may be taken up to three times for credit.]