Intermediate Horse Riding Group Lesson Plan

 

Lesson Focus

Developing canter control, rider position, related distances, jumping courses and independent riding without stirrups

Rider Level: Intermediate – developing
Duration: 30 minutes
Group: Intermediate group riders
Arena: Enclosed riding arena
Equipment: Cones, arena markers, poles, raised poles, jumping wings and poles, cross-poles, uprights, related-distance/double fences, mounting block, suitable riding hats and footwear

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Learning Objectives

 

Aiming to achieve these points based on the activities in the lesson, riders should be able to:

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• Maintain a balanced and controlled canter.

• Ride canter circles while maintaining rhythm, balance and accuracy.

• Canter past other riders safely and maintain control.

• Demonstrate effective transitions within and between paces.

• Ride a related distance or double with an appropriate rhythm and balance.

• Complete a jumping course of 3–4 fences.

• Progress to higher jumps where appropriate.

• Demonstrate different riding positions, including sitting, forward seat and jumping position.

• Develop balance and independence through non-stirrup work.

• Maintain an effective position and control throughout more demanding exercises.

 

1. Introduction and Safety – start

 

Instructor

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

• Check girths, stirrups and tack.

• Assess each rider's confidence and readiness for the planned exercises.

• Explain the lesson structure and jumping exercises.

• Discuss safe passing and cantering within a group.

• Explain the non-stirrup exercises and remind riders that these should be progressive and controlled.

• Explain the jumping course, related distance and double before riders begin.

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Riders

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• Maintain a balanced and effective position.

• Maintain appropriate spacing.

• Look ahead and plan their route.

• Maintain control of their horse at all times.

• Follow arena etiquette and instructor instructions.

 

2. Warm-Up – Walk, Trot and Transitions

 

Exercise 1 – Walk and Trot

 

Ride around the arena on both reins.

Include:

• Large circles.

• Changes of rein.

• Serpentines.

• Transitions at arena markers.

• Trot through corners.

• Changes of pace within the trot.

Encourage riders to maintain an independent rhythm and accurate lines.

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Exercise 2 – Transitions

 

Practise:

Walk → Trot → Walk

Trot → Canter → Trot

Canter → Trot → Canter

For more advanced riders, introduce transitions at specific markers.

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Instructor Focus

 

Look for:

• Balanced transitions.

• Correct preparation.

• Rider maintaining an independent seat.

• Effective aids.

• Consistent rhythm.

• Accurate lines.

 

3. Canter Development

 

Exercise 1 – Canter Circles

Ask riders to establish a balanced canter.

 

Ride:

• 20-metre circles.

• Large circles.

• Canter through corners.

• Canter on both reins.

Encourage riders to maintain rhythm rather than allowing the horse to rush or fall onto the forehand.

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Exercise 2 – Cantering Past Another Rider

Organise the group so riders have sufficient space.

One rider canters around the arena while another rider remains at walk or trot on a safe track.

Practise:

Canter → pass rider safely → maintain rhythm → return to trot/walk

Progress to two riders cantering in the same arena where appropriate.

Instructor Focus

Riders should:

• Look ahead.

• Maintain their own line.

• Keep a secure lower leg.

• Maintain an appropriate contact.

• Avoid allowing the horse to accelerate when passing another horse.

• Maintain control before, during and after passing.

Exercise 3 – Canter Accuracy

Ask riders to canter between cones or towards designated markers.

Progress to:

Canter → transition at marker → change rein → canter again.

 

The following options will vary between lesson; not all will be included each time to give variety

 

1. Developing Rider Position

 

Exercise 1 – Sitting Position

 

At walk and trot, riders practise:

• Tall upper body.

• Deep, balanced seat.

• Long, stable lower leg.

• Independent hands.

• Relaxed hips.

 

Progress to sitting trot where appropriate.

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Exercise 2 – Forward Seat

 

At trot, riders move into a light forward position.

Focus on:

• Weight through the lower leg.

• Balanced upper body.

• Soft hands.

• Following the horse's movement.

• ​

Introduce the position in canter where appropriate.

Exercise 3 – Jumping Position

Practise moving between:

Sitting position → Forward seat → Jumping position

Use transitions between positions on the flat before applying them over fences.

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Instructor Focus

 

Riders should understand when and why each position is used rather than simply changing position mechanically.

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Progression:

• Being able to hold these positions for longer

• Holding these positions in canter

• Holding these positions over poles

 

2. Non-Stirrup Development

 

Exercise

 

Begin at walk with stirrups removed.

 

Practise:

• Large circles.

• Changes of rein.

• Transitions.

• Correct leg position.

• Maintaining an independent seat.

• ​

Progress to:

Sitting trot without stirrups

where appropriate.

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Further Progression

 

For confident riders:

• Short periods of rising trot without stirrups.

• Transitions within trot.

• Short periods of canter without stirrups only where the rider is secure and the instructor considers it appropriate.

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Instructor Focus

 

Encourage riders to:

• Keep their weight down through the legs.

• Relax the hips.

• Avoid gripping with the knees.

• Maintain a stable upper body.

• Keep the lower leg in the correct position.

• Develop an independent seat.

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The emphasis should be on quality rather than duration.

 

3. Jumping – Related Distance and Double

 

Exercise 1 – Individual Jump

 

Begin with a single fence to establish rhythm and confidence.

 

Ask riders to approach in a balanced canter.

 

Focus on:

• Rhythm.

• Straightness.

• Appropriate pace.

• Rider position.

• Looking ahead.

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Exercise 2 – Related Distance

 

Introduce two fences set at an appropriate distance.

 

Ride:

Jump 1 → maintain rhythm → Jump 2

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Encourage riders to maintain the same rhythm between the fences rather than chasing or slowing the horse.

Exercise 3 – Double

Progress to a double where appropriate.

Focus on:

• Balanced approach.

• Rider maintaining a secure jumping position.

• Allowing the horse to use its neck.

• Maintaining rhythm between the fences.

• Continuing forwards after the second fence.

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Progression

 

For more confident riders:

• Adjust the approach.

• Ride the related distance from both reins.

• Introduce a slightly higher second fence.

• Develop different distances where appropriate.

 

4. Jumping Course

 

Set up a course of 3–4 jumps.

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Suggested Course

1. Jump 1 – upright.

2. Change of rein.

3. Jump 2 – cross-pole or upright.

4. Change the rein

5. Jump 3 – upright or spread

6. Finish with a transition to trot.

7. ​

Where appropriate, increase the number of fences to create a more flowing course.

Instructor Focus

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Riders should:

• Plan their route before starting.

• Establish a balanced canter.

• Maintain rhythm between fences.

• Ride accurate turns.

• Look towards the next fence.

• Maintain the appropriate jumping position.

• Ride forwards after each fence.

• Complete the course without losing control.

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Progression to Higher Jumps

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Once riders demonstrate consistency, increase selected fences gradually.

Higher jumps should only be introduced when riders demonstrate:

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• Secure jumping position.

• Accurate approaches.

• Consistent rhythm.

• Effective control.

• Confidence over the existing height.

The focus should be on quality of riding rather than jump height.

 

8. Cool Down

 

Return to walk as a group.

 

Allow horses to stretch and relax where appropriate.

 

Ask riders to:

• Relax their shoulders.

• Lengthen their legs.

• Maintain a comfortable position.

• Allow the horses to stretch.

• Reflect on their performance.

 

Discuss:

 

“How did your canter feel today?”

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“Which riding position felt most effective?”

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“How did you manage the related distance or double?”

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“What would you like to develop next?”

 

Differentiation

Less Confident Riders

• Use larger circles for canter work.

• Allow riders to canter individually.

• Maintain greater spacing between horses.

• Keep canter exercises short.

• Use lower jumps.

• Use poles before introducing related distances.

• Use a simple two-fence exercise before a full course.

• Keep non-stirrup work to walk initially.

• Progress to short periods of sitting trot without stirrups when secure.

• Allow riders to return to stirrups if they become unbalanced.

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More Confident Riders

• Develop longer periods of controlled canter.

• Ride accurate canter circles and transitions.

• Canter past other riders while maintaining rhythm and control.

• Introduce canter poles.

• Ride related distances and doubles.

• Ride a course of 4 or more fences.

• Increase selected jump heights gradually.

• Practise different approaches and lines.

• Develop sitting, forward and jumping positions independently.

• Increase the duration of non-stirrup exercises.

• Introduce more advanced non-stirrup work where appropriate.

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Key Safety Points

• Maintain appropriate spacing between horses at all times.

• Cantering past other riders should only take place when sufficient space and control are available.

• Riders must maintain their own line and avoid cutting across another horse.

• Canter exercises should be individually controlled where necessary.

• Riders must wait for the instructor's instruction before approaching a jump.

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

• Ensure landing and run-off areas are clear.

• Related distances and doubles must be suitable for the horses and riders.

• Jump height should only be increased when riders demonstrate appropriate control and confidence.

• Non-stirrup work must be introduced progressively and supervised closely.

• Riders should replace their stirrups if they become unbalanced.

• Cantering without stirrups should only be attempted where the rider is sufficiently secure and the instructor considers it appropriate.

• Stop an exercise immediately if a rider loses control, balance or confidence.

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

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Lesson Success Criteria

Excellent: Rider confidently maintains a balanced and controlled canter, accurately rides circles and passes other riders, demonstrates different riding positions, completes non-stirrup exercises independently, rides related distances and doubles with rhythm, and confidently completes a course including higher jumps.

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Good: Rider maintains a controlled canter, demonstrates effective sitting, forward and jumping positions, develops their non-stirrup work, and can confidently ride related distances, doubles and a 3–4 fence course.

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Developing: Rider maintains a safe and developing position with support, can canter controlled sections, is developing their independence without stirrups, and can ride small related distances and jumping courses with appropriate guidance.

 

 

Instructor Assessment Checklist for progression to the next level – advanced

Rider must be able to complete the following consistently to progress to the next level (advanced)

• Rider maintains a balanced position at walk.

• Rider maintains a balanced position at trot.

• Rider maintains a balanced and controlled canter.

• Rider can ride accurate canter circles.

• Rider can safely canter past another rider.

• Rider maintains rhythm when passing another horse.

• Rider performs controlled transitions.

• Rider demonstrates an effective sitting position.

• Rider demonstrates a balanced forward seat.

• Rider demonstrates a secure jumping position.

• Rider can ride without stirrups at walk.

• Rider can ride without stirrups at trot where appropriate.

• Rider is developing an independent seat.

• Rider can ride a related distance.

• Rider can ride a double with appropriate control.

• Rider can complete a course of 3–4 jumps.

• Rider maintains rhythm between fences.

• Rider can approach higher jumps with control where appropriate.

• Rider remains balanced after landing.

• Rider demonstrates safe and effective riding throughout the lesson.