If you are determining your ability level, we hope you find this guide helpful in your self-assessment. Please determine your level, before signing up for a lesson or an event. The Galloping Guru teaches beginner, intermediate and advanced group lessons. Private lessons are tailored to the rider’s current level.

Ability Levels

Beginner

You have minimal to no riding or horsemanship experience.

Novice

You have not cantered regularly, but are confident to do so and can post on the correct diagonal at a rising trot. You are able to mount safely and to control a horse at a walk. You are primarily only riding in controlled settings (indoor arena) or on walking trail rides with a leader.

Intermediate

You are at ease at 3 paces (walk, rising trot and controlled canter). You are able to mount and dismount their horse unassisted, use basic riding aids, ride at a rising trot for at least 10 minutes, to change and control the pace from a walk to a trot and comfortably canter over short distances. You have experienced some riding in outdoor, open space.

Experienced

You have mastered all 3 paces (walk, rising trot, canter in a forward seat). Rider is comfortable in open spaces, over uneven terrain and has experienced the gallop. You ride regularly, has a strong seat and are confident in your own ability. You are able to control the horse at speed and change direction of your horse at any pace and in any circumstance, as needed. You are also confident over small jumps and on a variety of horses.

Advanced

You have mastered all 4 paces (walk, rising trot, canter and gallop in a forward seat) over uneven terrain on all types of horses including those that are very spirited or difficult to handle at times. You ride regularly, has good physical fitness, good soft hands and the ability to gallop for long stretches without getting tired. You understand how to read your horse and adjust tyour riding accordingly. You are comfortable leading other riders, assisting other riders, going after loose horses in the event of a fall and are hyper-vigilant to their surroundings.

Evaluating your riding ability

Before joining our riding events, understanding your ability level allows us to better keep you safe so that you can have the best time on your ride. This guide will help you define what your ability level is. Self evaluations are a humbling exercise that really help you understand your capabilities and potential areas for development. We consider the following areas of the sport to be important when reflecting on your ability level:

Basic riding abilities

Mount and dismount a horse without assistance
Hold reins between your ring and pinky fingers
Post at the trot
Take lessons
Have miles in the saddle
Own a helmet, riding boots and attire

Control

Ability to steer and stop at each of the horse’s gaits (walk, trot, canter, gallop)
Ask the horse to change its gait on your command
Ability to bring your horse back to a walk if the horse is out of control
Hold and use a crop, dressage whip and/or spurs

Horsemanship

Groom your horse (including picking out hooves and hosing off in the wash stall)
Tack your horse without assistance (includes boots and wraps)
Exercise barn etiquette with cross ties, manure clean up, keeping items off the ground etc

Confidence

Ability to determine what sort of horse you are comfortable on (a horse you need to push forward or slow down)?

Note: Despite years of experience and knowledge, your confidence level can be independent of skill set. For example, we have known absolute beginners to trot and canter on our horses. We make sure our riders understand that this does not mean they are experienced riders. The reality is that in a controlled situation, on a well-trained horse with a temperament to put up with a lot of mistakes by its rider, a beginner with the right mental and physical will can be comfortable at the trot and canter.

Setting and terrain

Ability to ride in an indoor arena with other lessons taking place and ensuring you are at a safe distance from other horses at all times
Know how to properly and safely pass another horse
Ability to ride outside in open spaces, even as horses can become excited and more difficult to control
Ability to ride through water crossings, uphill (forward half seat, give reins) and downhill (lean back, give reins)

Information with modifications, courtesy Alana Stotts/Manhattan Riding Club. The Galloping Guru reserves the right to; move riders to lessons or events at their appropriate ability level / match riders to their horse.