Our Horsemanship curriculum, like the Canadian Pony Club system it stems from, is designed to deepen and 
expand students' knowledge in the key areas of horsemanship with each progressive level. What starts as simple identification of colours, breeds and markings in levels one and two, becomes measuring and identification in level three, and conformation, teeth and aging in levels four and up. We ask you to build upon your base of knowledge as you progress, which is why we often check that your foundation is strong. Therefore the first item in the Level 2 Horsemanship checklist is:
1. All the level one requirements
"What!" you say, "I have to test level one all over again?"
Not quite. If you did your level one and have been active in the program we will use the mark from your level one test.
If you are challenging level two, which many people with prior horse experience do, we will simply test levels one and two at the same time. Many of the items on the list are similar, but we expect a higher degree of confidence and competence at this level. For example, at both levels you will groom and tack up your horse, but at level two you need to be able to do this without any assistance from the examiner.
In either case, it is of benefit to review the level one material before heading out to your level two assessment.
Level One Horsemanship Review
With the posterous blog about to die, most of the blog content has been moved to this site. I haven't yet re-tagged those posts but hope to do so soon. In the meantime, all the Horsemanship 1 material can be found on my own blog, jmlandels.stiffbunnies.com. Here are the direct links:
1. Identify colour, near and off side, and twenty simple parts of the horse
2. Enter, approach and safely halter horse in stall or paddock
3. Lead horse out of stall or paddock, lead at the walk
5. Groom horse using basic grooming tools (dandy brush, curry comb, hoof pick)
6. Identify simple parts of saddle & bridle
9. Basic feeding: succulents, grain, roughage & water
10. Stabling: needs & habits of the horse
11. Demonstrate safety and common sense when working around horses
Next week: Points and markings
Coming up at Red Colt
21 April: Open Barn is this Sunday from 1-4pm. Come out and practise your horsemanship or swordplay. If you have at least riding level one, you can use a school horse for just $10.
21 April: Also on the 21st we will be burning the brambles we hacked down last month. Come on out and celebrate Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op's 2nd birthday, and roast hotdogs and marshmallows over a blackberry cane fire! From 4pm onward.
28 April: Class four of our current Cavaliere series is Sunday the 28th from 1-4:30. This means some of our students will be assessing Horsemanship level 1 and Riding level 2. Wish them luck!
5 May: Our one-off Horseback Archery workshop with Robert Borsos of Borsos Torz Archery is coming soon. All the mounted spaces are currently spoken for, but we are taking a waitlist, and there are spots available for shooting from the ground. Don't miss this chance!
11 May: Summer hours begin, and our Cavaliere classes move to Saturday afternoons / evenings from 4:00 - 7:30 pm. The next series runs May 11 & 18, June 8 & 22. Note that Mounted Combat workshops remain on Sunday afternoons.
2 June: Intro to Mounted Combat. This class is already half full, and the next one after that will be in August. Sign up now, if you want to get started in the Cavaliere Program!
All dates can be found on the Cavaliere Calendar. Call the front desk at 604 568 9907 to sign up.
In Other News
Come out this to Southlands Riding Club this Sunday, from 9am - 2pm to watch high speed mounted games at the first Prince Phillip Games playday of the season. This is the only one that takes place in Vancouver, so is worth catching on your way down to Open Barn.
Jennifer Landels, Maestra di Scuderia
Academie Duello Cavaliere Program
Jennifer Landels heads up Academie Duello's Cavaliere Program. She has been swordfighting since 2008, and riding since before she could walk. She started the program as an excuse to combine those passions. Read more from Jennifer Landels.