Beginner Horse Riding Group Lesson Plan

Lesson Focus

Transitions, changes of rein, pole work, introduction to canter and progression to jumping

​

Rider Level: Beginner – developing
Duration: 30 minutes
Group: Beginner group riders
Arena: Enclosed riding arena
Equipment: Cones, arena markers, poles, raised poles if appropriate, small cross-pole or upright, mounting block, suitable riding hats and footwear

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, riders should be able to:

• Maintain a balanced position at walk and trot.

• Ride as part of a group while maintaining safe spacing.

• Perform accurate changes of rein.

• Ride controlled upward and downward transitions.

• Ride over poles in walk and trot.

• Maintain balance and rhythm when approaching poles.

• Understand the aids for asking for canter.

• Introduce short periods of canter where appropriate.

• Maintain a balanced position during canter.

• Progress from pole work to a small jump where appropriate.

• Demonstrate safe riding and control throughout the lesson.

 

1. Introduction and Safety – start

Instructor

• Check riders are correctly mounted and wearing correctly fitted riding hats.

• Check stirrups, girths and riding position.

• Explain the lesson and the exercises that will be completed.

• Remind riders about arena etiquette and safe spacing.

• Explain that riders must maintain their own pace and avoid overtaking unless instructed.

• Explain the canter exercise if completing and the importance of having sufficient space.

• Check that all riders understand the jumping exercise before it begins if this is part of the lesson and if the rider is capable and wants to.

Riders

• Maintain a balanced riding position.

• Keep a safe distance from the horse in front.

• Look ahead and listen carefully to instructions.

• Keep hands and legs in a safe position.

• Follow arena rules.

 

2. Warm-Up – Walk and Trot

Exercise 1 – Walk Around the Arena

 

Ride around the arena on the left rein.

​

Ask riders to practise:

• Looking ahead.

• Sitting tall.

• Relaxing their shoulders.

• Keeping an even contact.

• Maintaining a safe distance.

• ​

 Can include large circles at each end of the arena.

Exercise 2 – Changes of Rein

 

Practise simple changes of rein such as:

​

• H-X-F.

• A-X-C.

• Across the short diagonal.s

• Half-circles

• ​

Encourage riders to:

• Look towards their new direction.

• Prepare the horse before the turn.

• Maintain an even pace.

• Ride accurately towards the new track.

Exercise 3 – Trot

 

Ask riders to trot around the arena as a group

Include:

• Trot on the long side and walk at the short side – practising transitions this can be done individually

• Trot for longer periods as a ride

• Large circles in trot.

Encourage riders to maintain their own rhythm and spacing rather than following too closely.

 

Exercise 4 - Transitions

 

Ride large circles and incorporate frequent transitions:

Walk → Trot → Walk

Then progress to:

Halt → Walk → Trot → Walk → Halt

​

Instructor Focus

 

Encourage riders to:

• Prepare before asking for the transition.

• Sit tall during downward transitions.

• Keep their legs supporting the horse during upward transitions.

• Maintain a consistent rein contact.

• Avoid pulling suddenly on the reins.

• Keep looking ahead.

Progression

 

For riders who are more confident, ask for transitions at specific arena markers.

For example:

A – Walk

C – Trot

E – Walk

B – Trot

This encourages riders to prepare for transitions rather than reacting at the last moment.

 

The following exercises will be mainly limited to one per lesson -giving variation each time.

​

3. Introducing Canter

Preparation

Before introducing canter, ensure riders can:

• Maintain a balanced trot.

• Control their horse's speed.

• Perform a downward transition to walk.

• Maintain safe spacing.

• Follow instructions independently.

Explain the canter aids before riders attempt the exercise.

Exercise 1 – Preparing for Canter

 

On a suitable part of the arena:

Walk → Trot → Prepare → Canter → Trot → Walk

Ask riders to establish a balanced trot before asking for canter.

​

Instructor Focus

Explain that riders should:

• Look ahead.

• Sit tall and balanced.

• Keep their outside rein controlled.

• Keep their inside leg supporting the horse.

• Give the appropriate canter aid at the correct time.

• Allow the horse to move forwards.

• Remain relaxed through their hips and upper body.

​

Exercise 2 – Short Canter

Allow riders to canter for a short distance before returning to trot.

Begin with:

4–6 strides of canter

Then progress to a longer section if the rider and horse are comfortable.

Group Organisation

Canter riders individually rather than asking inexperienced riders to canter closely together.

Riders waiting for their turn should remain at walk on a safe track.

Progression

For riders who are confident:

• Canter around part of the arena.

• Return to trot at a designated marker.

• Repeat on the other rein where appropriate.

Important: Canter should only be introduced when the instructor considers the horse and rider ready. The priority is control, balance and confidence rather than maintaining a long canter.

 

4. Pole Work

 

Set out a line of 3–4 poles on the ground.

​

Exercise 1 – Walking Over Poles

Ride individually over the poles in walk.

Ask riders to:

• Approach in a straight line.

• Look ahead.

• Maintain a steady rhythm.

• Keep their legs supporting the horse.

• Allow the horse to look at the poles without interfering.

​

Exercise 2 – Trotting Over Poles

Progress to trotting over the poles.

Allow riders to approach one at a time while the other riders remain on a safe track. This can also be done as a group.

Instructor Focus

 

Look for:

• Straightness.

• Rhythm.

• Balanced approach.

• Rider maintaining a secure position.

• Rider maintaining control before and after the poles.

Progression

If appropriate, raise one end of the poles

Only progress when riders demonstrate control and confidence over poles on the ground.

 

6. Progression to Jumping

Introduction

• Explain that the pole exercise is preparing riders for jumping.

• Start to include jumping position trotting on the long sides on the arena

• Progress to holding jumping position over the poles.

• Begin with a small cross-pole or suitable beginner jump.

• Allow riders to approach individually.

Exercise

Ride:

Trot → → pole/Small Jump → Trot → Walk

Give riders plenty of space after the jump to regain balance.

​

Instructor Focus

Encourage riders to:

• Establish a steady trot before approaching.

• Look towards the jump.

• Keep their leg on.

• Maintain a balanced position.

• Keep their hands steady.

• Allow the horse to move forwards.

• Continue riding after the jump rather than stopping immediately.

Progression

For confident riders:

• Repeat the jump from both reins.

• Change the style of the jump to a straight bar.

​

Safety: Jump heights and exercises must be appropriate for the horse, rider ability and current conditions. Riders should only progress to jumping when they demonstrate adequate control over the poles and transitions.

 

7. Cool Down

Return to walk as a group.

Ride on a long, relaxed rein where appropriate.

Ask riders to:

• Relax their shoulders.

• Sit comfortably.

• Maintain their position.

• Allow the horses to stretch and relax.

Finish with a short discussion:

“What went well today?”

“Which exercise did you find easiest?”

“What would you like to improve next time?”

 

 _______________________________________________

Differentiation

Less Confident Riders

• Allow additional time at walk.

• Use larger changes of rein.

• Use fewer poles.

• Allow poles to be ridden in walk before progressing to trot.

• Allow additional practice of trot transitions.

• Introduce canter only when the rider is secure and confident.

• Allow the rider to canter for only a few strides.

• Use a calm, experienced horse.

• Keep the jump very small or continue with poles instead.

• Give clear, simple instructions one at a time.

​

More Confident Riders

• Increase accuracy of transitions at specific markers.

• Ride smaller circles while maintaining rhythm.

• Introduce changes of rein through different routes.

• Trot over a line of poles.

• Introduce short canter sections.

• Canter through a large corner or around part of the arena.

• Progress to a small cross-pole.

• Introduce a second jump where appropriate.

• Ride a simple jumping course.

• Combine transitions, changes of rein, canter and jumping.

​

Key Safety Points

• Maintain appropriate spacing between horses.

• Riders should not overtake unless instructed.

• Canter should only be introduced when the instructor is satisfied that the horse and rider are ready.

• Provide sufficient space between horses during canter.

• Only one horse should approach a jump at a time unless the exercise has specifically been designed otherwise.

• Ensure the landing and run-off areas are clear.

• Riders should approach jumps at a controlled pace.

• Do not increase jump height until riders demonstrate control and confidence.

• Use suitable poles, jumps and distances for the horses and riders.

• Stop the cantering or jumping exercise if a rider becomes unbalanced or loses control.

• All jumping and cantering activities should be supervised by a suitably competent instructor.

​

Lesson Success Criteria

Excellent: Rider confidently maintains rhythm and balance, performs accurate transitions and changes of rein, introduces canter with appropriate aids and control, rides poles independently and completes a small jump with good balance.

​

Good: Rider can maintain a balanced trot, perform basic transitions and changes of rein, introduce a controlled canter, and confidently ride poles and a small jump with appropriate support.

​

Developing: Rider can maintain a safe position and controlled pace with support and is beginning to develop confidence with transitions, canter, poles and jumping.

 

Instructor Assessment Checklist for progression to the next level - Novice

The riders must be able to complete the following (jumping optional) before moving up to the next level (novice)

• Rider maintains a balanced position at walk.

• Rider maintains a balanced position at trot.

• Rider maintains safe spacing within the group.

• Rider can ride a change of rein accurately.

• Rider can perform upward transitions.

• Rider can perform downward transitions.

• Rider maintains a controlled rhythm.

• Rider understands the aids for canter.

• Rider can prepare correctly for canter.

• Rider can introduce canter safely where appropriate.

• Rider can return from canter to trot or walk with control.

• Rider can ride over poles in walk.

• Rider can ride over poles in trot.

• Rider approaches poles in a controlled manner.

• Rider demonstrates safe riding throughout the lesson.

​

Optional:

• Rider maintains a secure position over a small jump.

• Rider remains balanced after the jump.