*Patterns, gaits, and all activities will be at discretion of the instructor and may very in order to maintain safety.
**when registering please be sure that your horse and you fit the criteria for the class**
Cloverbud: This is a class for 5-7year old participants as of January 1, 2023.. Riders will work on correct riding position and controlling their horse/pony at the walk and trot while having fun! All 5yr old participants must remain on a leadline with an adult at all times in this class. All 6 and 7 year old participants must have available a side walker of at least 14 years of age. All 6yr old participants must be on a leadline while trotting. The first 45 minutes will be under saddle, the last 45 minutes will be an activity. Parents are asked to put horses/ponies away and then come back if the instructor would like help with the activity.
English 1/2: Participants in this class will review skills like leading, tying, mounting and dismounting. They will practice correct hand and body position, balancing and steering, walking, trotting, and *cantering with control and smooth transitions between all gaits. Other skills covered may include learning diagonals, leads, and two point position. Exercises will include rail work, trotting/cantering over poles, and possibly cross rails, 20 meter circles, and figure eights. **Participants may canter if the instructor feels they are ready.
English 3/4/5: Participants in this class will further work on abilities listed above by working on and off the rail. Participants begin to bend and flex their horse/pony, establish better control, rhythm, and balance with their horse. Riders will work to develop an independent seat and hands. Participants will also practice various equitation patterns including 20 meter circles, figure eights, serpentines, etc.
Participants will focus on fine tuning details in order to show in upper level English Equitation classes.
Western 1: Participants in this class will work on skills like leading, tying, mounting and dismounting, hand and body position, balancing and steering, walking and trotting with control and backing. Participants may lope if the instructor feels they are ready.
Western 2: The goal of this riding class is to improve hand and body position, balance, precise steering, and communication with their horse/pony. Participants will work on their walk, trot, and canter with control and learning smooth transitions between all gaits. Participants begin circle work and understanding/feeling leads.
Western 3: Participants in this class will further work on abilities listed above by doing more work off the rail. Participants begin to bend and flex their horse/pony, establish better control, rhythm, and balance with their horse. Horsemanship patterns used will be determined by the instructor and students but may include circles, figure eights, serpentines, etc.
Gymkhana 1: Participants in this class should be riding at a horsemaster level 1 mounted skills level. This class will introduce riders to the basic techniques and patterns of the speed events known as Gymkhana (barrel racing, pole bending, etc.). All skills will be practiced using the Gymkhana events. Participants may lope if the instructor feels they are ready.
Gymkhana 2/3: Participants in this class should be riding at a horsemaster level 2 or 3 mounted skills level. This class will introduce more Gymkhana patterns. Participants will work on hand and body positions, their horse’s position and develop safety and control at increasing speeds. Proper technique of patterns will be emphasized before increasing speed. It is strongly recommended that horses be at least 6 years of age for this class.
Gymkhana 4/5: Participants will work on better hand and body position and developing a fully independent seat and hands. Participants will work on Gymkhana pattern technique, their horse’s position and control and will increase speed as the instructor sees fit. It is strongly recommended that horses be at least 6 years of age for this class. Runs will be timed during Tuesday’s class.
Trail 1: Trail is a class that requires riders to perform specific maneuvers to negotiate various obstacles on a course with as much ease as possible. Participants will be introduced to trail maneuvers such as backing, turns on the haunches and forehand, and ground tying. Participants will also be introduced to trail obstacles such as ground poles, bridges, gates, and more
Trail 2: Participants in this class should be riding at a horsemaster level 2 mounted skills level. Youth will continue to work on trail maneuvers from Trail 1 and.be introduced to new maneuvers such as side passing. Participants will also continue to work on trail obstacles at various gaits.
Trail Level 3/4/5: Participants in this class should be riding at a horsemaster level 3/4/5 mounted skills level. Participants will work on bettering their trail maneuvers, such as backing, side passing, turns on the haunches and forehand, and ground tying. Participants may also be introduced to more advanced trail obstacles, such as loping over ground poles, tarps, water hazards, small jumps, and more. Time will be spent exploring the sport of extreme trail and will include obstacles such as large flags, water obstacles, turn styles, etc.
Introductory Jumping 2/3: Participants in this class will utilize their English riding skills to introduce their mounts to the techniques and exercises needed to begin jumping them. Participants in this class should be riding at a horsemaster level 2 or 3. Depending on the skill levels of horses and riders, poles, crossrails and mini courses may be ridden. It is strongly recommended that horses/ponies be at least 6 years old for this class. Participant must successfully complete a jumping evaluation prior to registration. Participants may be asked to email a jumping demonstration video prior to clinic to ensure proper class placement. Participants will jump obstacles only when the instructor deems the horse and rider safe and ready to do so.
Jumping 4/5: This class builds on the skills learned in the jumping 2/3 class. It digs deeper into the theory and training necessary to jump higher heights and more complex courses. It is strongly recommended that horses/ponies be at least 6 years old for this class. The class is geared to those who would like to possibly compete in Jumping at the Allegan Fair. Participant must successfully complete a jumping evaluation prior to registration.
Introduction to Cross Country 4/5: This class is an introduction to the sport of cross country jumping. This class goes beyond show jumping and discusses the rules, skills, and exercises to successfully navigate a cross country course. The class will start in the arena and then may move outside of the arena depending on horse and rider abilities. Participants must have been evaluated to jump at a horsemaster level of 4 or 5. It is highly recommended that participants wear a safety vest.
Western Dressage/Classical Dressage 3/4/5: This class builds on the theory and knowledge needed to complete the Western Dressage Association of America (WDAA) tests or United States Dressage Federation (USDF) tests. Riders may choose which discipline they would like to participate in. This class is geared to those who would like to explore the world of dressage and possibly compete in Dressage at the Allegan Fair or MIHA Equestrian Teams.
Western Performance 3/4/5: This class strives to improve a horse and rider’s control, athleticism and balance. Participants will practice various riding exercises and patterns (determined by the instructor and students) including but not limited to horsemanship, western riding, and reining. Participants will work on better hand and body position, developing a fully independent seat and hands and smooth transitions between all gaits.
Ranch Riding 3/4/5:. This class will focus on teaching beginning reining and ranch riding skills. Participants will practice precise patterns of circles, spins, and stops. May also include roping and sorting on and off horseback. Activities in this class are up to the instructor and may vary in order to maintain safety
Vaulting cloverbud-5: This class is open to all participants. No horse is required. Vaulting is best described as gymnastics on and off of a horse in motion. Participants will practice vaulting and maneuvers on a stationary barrel apparatus and take turns doing the same maneuvers onto and off of a horse being longed.
Driving 1-5: This class is for level 1 and higher. Participants in this class must provide their own safe driving animal and cart. This class will focus on improving driving safety and techniques. Participants may encounter patterns, obstacles and other more advanced driving challenges. All Driving participants must have available a header of at least fourteen years of age.
In Hand Trail and groundwork 1-5: In this class participants will work to teach their horse/pony to maneuver obstacles while being lead. Participants will work one on one with their horse to teach ground control. The same obstacles that are commonly seen in regular trail classes will be used. We will focus on respect, attention, spacial understanding, scoring and fluidity on the course. These lessons will translate to a more willing partner in the saddle or harness. Ponies and minis are encouraged to participate.
Centered Riding 2-5: We have so many ways to communicate with our horses – seat, legs, voice, breathing, thought, hand – yet how many of those do we actually use? This class will explore those methods during the process of troubleshooting problems you may be having, whether through better understanding horse psychology or working through biomechanics. Great for new partnerships, nervous horses or riders, riders trying to ‘level up’, or just simply enriching your relationship with your horse. Western or English welcome.
In Hand Relay – Cloverbud-5: In this class participants will work in two-teams with their horse/pony to maneuver obstacles while being lead. Each team is being judged on the obstacles and timed. The same obstacles that are commonly seen in regular trail classes will be used. Over the course of the clinic participants will work with the coach on how best to maneuver each obstacle in a timely fashion. Ponies and minis are encouraged to participate, cloverbuds are welcome but must have a helper available and a calm/safe horse. Teams will compete Tuesday night to demonstrate their skills.
Show Prep Cloverbuds-5: Our show prep class is designed to be a deep dive into taking your horses and yourself to the next level. Five days of learning clipping, banding, braiding, what to wear and how to dress for success. This will be very hands on class where attendees will learn not only show grooming basics but also where and when to use highlighter, how to tie in a false tail, properly fit a show halter, and even what to wear in halter vs showmanship – and so much more! with a culmination of a dry run class on the final day. This class is appropriate for both english and western disciplines whether you are new to showing or looking to step your show grooming game up! Bring your show tack and wardrobe with you. Multiple instructors will teach this class and will inform you what to bring on which days. This class is open to Cloverbuds enthusiastic to show, but must have an adult present for the entirety of the class.