Novice Horse Riding Group Lesson Plan

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Lesson Focus

 

Developing canter, polework courses, jumping progression and non-stirrup work

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

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Learning Objectives

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

• Maintain a balanced and effective position at walk, trot and canter.

• Ride accurate changes of rein while maintaining rhythm.

• Develop confidence and control in canter.

• Ride a course of poles with accuracy and rhythm.

• Ride a series of small jumps while maintaining a balanced approach.

• Progress to slightly higher jumps where appropriate.

• Maintain balance and rhythm through transitions and over fences.

• Develop lower-leg stability through controlled non-stirrup exercises.

• Demonstrate safe riding and appropriate arena etiquette throughout the lesson.

 

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 and jumping progression.

• Explain the non-stirrup exercises and remind riders that these will be short and controlled.

• Establish arena rules and safe spacing.

• Explain that riders must maintain control and wait for the instructor before approaching a jump.

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Riders

• Maintain a balanced riding position.

• Keep appropriate spacing between horses.

• Look ahead and listen carefully to instructions.

• Maintain control of their horse's pace and direction.

• Follow the instructor's jumping and arena instructions.

 

2. Warm-Up – Walk, Trot and Transitions

 

Exercise 1 – Walk and Trot

Ride around the arena on both reins.

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Include:

• Large circles.

• Changes of rein.

• Transitions between walk and trot.

• Trot through corners.

• Transitions at designated arena markers.

Encourage riders to maintain a consistent rhythm and independent control.

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Exercise 2 – Transitions

Practise:

Walk → Trot → Walk

Progress to:

Trot → Canter → Trot

For riders who are developing their canter, focus on a clear transition rather than maintaining a long canter.

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Instructor Focus

Look for:

• Balanced transitions.

• Correct preparation.

• Steady rhythm.

• Effective use of the rider's aids.

• Correct body position.

• Rider looking ahead.

 

3. Developing Canter

 

Exercise 1 – Canter Preparation

 

Use a large circle or suitable section of the arena.

Ask riders to:

1. Establish a balanced working trot.

2. Prepare the horse.

3. Give the canter aids.

4. Maintain the canter for a short section.

5. Return to trot in a controlled manner.

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Exercise 2 – Developing the Canter

Progress to:

Trot → Canter → Canter around part of the arena → Trot

Encourage riders to gradually increase the distance they can maintain a balanced canter.

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Instructor Focus

Riders should:

• Sit tall and balanced.

• Maintain a secure lower leg.

• Keep their eyes looking ahead.

• Maintain an appropriate rein contact.

• Avoid leaning forwards.

• Avoid gripping with the knees.

• Follow the movement of the horse with the seat.

• Maintain rhythm rather than allowing the horse to rush.

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Progression

 

For more confident riders:

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• Canter around a large circle.

• Canter through corners.

• Canter on both reins.

• Canter towards a pole.

• Develop the transition from trot to canter at a specific marker.

 

The following exercises show a variety of options; not all will be included in one lesson.

 

4. Pole Course

 

Set out a course containing several poles.

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Suggested Course

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1. Trot over a straight line of poles.

2. Change the rein.

3. Trot over a second set of poles.

4. Change direction.

5. Walk through a pole corridor.

6. Finish with a transition to canter.

Instructor Focus

 

Encourage riders to:

• Look ahead.

• Ride towards the centre of each pole.

• Maintain rhythm.

• Keep the horse straight.

• Prepare for changes of direction.

• Maintain their position before, during and after the poles.

Progression

 

For more confident riders:

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• Raise one end of selected poles.

• Introduce a canter pole.

• Ride the pole course without following another horse.

• Introduce transitions between different sections of the course.

 

5. Non-Stirrup Work

 

Exercise

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Begin at walk.

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Ask riders to:

• Remove their feet from the stirrups.

• Allow their legs to hang naturally.

• Maintain a tall, balanced position.

• Ride large circles and changes of rein.

Progress to short periods of rising trot without stirrups only where riders are secure and the instructor considers it appropriate.

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Instructor Focus

Encourage riders to:

• Keep their weight down through the leg.

• Relax their hips.

• Avoid gripping with their knees.

• Maintain an upright upper body.

• Keep their lower leg stable.

• Maintain an independent seat.

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Progression

For suitable riders:

Walk without stirrups → short rising trot without stirrups → return to walk → replace stirrups.

The exercise should be kept short and controlled.

 

6. Jumping Progression

 

Exercise 1 – Small Jumps

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Begin with a small cross-pole or upright.

Ask riders to approach individually from trot.

Trot → Jump → Trot → Walk

Then progress to canter

Trot → canter → Jump → canter →Trot → Walk

Focus on:

• Straight approach.

• Controlled rhythm.

• Looking ahead.

• Secure lower leg.

• Balanced jumping position.

• Continuing forwards after the jump.

Exercise 2 – Jumping course

Introduce a jump on each side of the arena

For example:

Jump 1 → change of rein → Jump 2  → transition to trot

Allow each rider to complete the course individually.

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Once riders demonstrate:

• Consistent rhythm.

• Accurate approaches.

• Good balance.

• Effective control.

• A secure position over the jumps.

Progress selected jumps slightly higher.

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The aim is to develop quality and confidence rather than height.

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Further Progression

 

For riders who are ready:

• Introduce a small related distance.

• Increase one jump slightly.

• Approach a jump from the opposite rein.

• Introduce a pole before a jump.

 

7. 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.

• Sit comfortably.

• Reflect on their riding.

 

Discuss:

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“How did your canter feel today?”

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“Which part of the pole or jumping course did you find easiest?”

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“How did riding without stirrups affect your position?”

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“What would you like to improve next time?”

 

Differentiation

Less Confident Riders

• Allow additional time developing the canter.

• Use large circles for canter work.

• Keep canter periods short.

• Use ground poles before introducing raised poles.

• Use a smaller pole course.

• Keep jumps low and straightforward.

• Allow the rider to repeat individual jumps rather than a full course.

• Keep non-stirrup work to walk initially.

• Return to stirrups immediately if the rider becomes unbalanced.

• Give clear, individual instructions where required.

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More Confident Riders

• Develop longer periods of balanced canter.

• Introduce canter poles.

• Ride a complete pole course independently.

• Introduce related distances.

• Progress to a larger jumping course.

• Increase individual jumps gradually.

• Ride different approaches and changes of rein.

• Introduce short periods of rising trot without stirrups.

• Develop a secure independent seat over fences.

• Combine canter, poles, transitions and jumping within a course.

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Key Safety Points

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• Maintain appropriate spacing between horses at all times.

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

• Ensure adequate space between riders during canter.

• 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.

• Jump heights must be appropriate for the horse and rider.

• Increase jump height gradually and only when control and confidence are demonstrated.

• Non-stirrup work should be introduced gradually and supervised closely.

• Rising trot without stirrups should only be undertaken by riders who are secure enough to do so safely.

• Riders should replace their stirrups if they become unbalanced.

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

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

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Lesson Success Criteria

Excellent: Rider confidently maintains balance and rhythm through walk, trot and canter, rides an accurate pole course, completes a jumping course with a secure position, progresses appropriately to higher jumps and demonstrates good stability during non-stirrup work.

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Good: Rider can maintain a controlled canter, ride a course of poles, confidently jump a series of small fences and demonstrate developing balance and lower-leg stability without stirrups.

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Developing: Rider can maintain a safe and balanced position with support, is developing consistency in canter, can ride poles and small jumps with control, and is beginning to develop an independent seat through appropriate non-stirrup exercises.

 

 

Instructor Assessment Checklist for progression to the next level – intermediate

 

The rider must be able to complete the following consisitently.

• Rider maintains a balanced position at walk.

• Rider maintains a balanced position at trot.

• Rider maintains a balanced position in canter.

• Rider maintains safe spacing within the group.

• Rider rides accurate changes of rein.

• Rider performs controlled transitions.

• Rider can develop and maintain a controlled canter.

• Rider maintains rhythm in canter.

• Rider can ride a course of poles.

• Rider maintains straightness over poles.

• Rider can ride small jumps with control.

• Rider maintains a secure position over fences.

• Rider can progress to a slightly higher jump where appropriate.

• Rider demonstrates developing lower-leg stability.

• Rider can complete appropriate non-stirrup exercises safely.

• Rider maintains control after jumps.

• Rider demonstrates safe riding throughout the lesson.