Beginner Lessons

These are designed for riders who have had limited riding experience and do not own an animal. There are many things that will be learned during the typical 6 to 12 months of the beginner period. You can expect to be an independent, confident rider at the walk/trot and canter with a basic understanding of horse psychology and use of the aids. You will have learned how to use your space in the ring, including the usual riding conventions of communal ring work. You will be able to perform a good posting and sitting trot, know what diagonals and leads are and will have covered the fundamentals of pre-jumping, the two-point position, ground rails, and the rules of jumping.

Very young or fearful riders will take a greater length of time to become confident and effective riders. Adults may also have additional fear or fitness issues that may make the learning curve a bit longer.

By the time most riders have been riding for 6 to 12 months, it will be easy to decide how serious you or your child is about the sport. Expect to make a decision about the course of your riding experience at this time. For most children riding will become the focus of the literature they want to read, the stories they write and illustrate, and a consuming interest. Given parental support, most children who have an interest will be ready for an animal of their own by this time. This is also a reasonable period in which an adult can gain sufficient expertise to decide if a horse is in their future. After a year of lessons, you will know if this is just fulfilling a childhood fantasy or if it is a viable lifetime hobby or passion.

In addition to just plain fun, riding provides a wonderful way to teach children how to work and how to set personal goals. Riding skills and the accompanying self-esteem may have a dramatic impact on their performance in school. Self-confidence and self-reliance are life-enhancing tools for everyone. Beginner adults find that riding is good exercise, social, outdoors, a great focus for energy and a pleasant, peaceful way to spend a couple of hours during the busy workweek.

Once riders have passed the beginner phase and have mastered the foundations of jumping, or when they have purchase or leased an animal, they will find the addition of horse shows a great way to give shape to their riding interest. For the more intense equine enthusiast, showing is a logical step. Please see the separate literature on Showing for more information.

All Riders may participate in any Fiesta Farm activity, bearing in mind that for those using school horses, there are limited resources which must be shared among the group. Be sure to sign up early for any activity that you would like to do so that your place is assured.

Beginner riders are those who choose not to lease or purchase an animal, and may horse show on a local level.

Beginner Lessons are scheduled once or twice per week and are billed in advance. In addition to the lesson fee there is a $15 per lesson school horse fee that enables Fiesta Farm to provide quality horses and ponies for your use during your early learning experience.