Riding Level 4: Turnout

Just as we start marking you for your turnout in Horsemanship Level 4, we are expecting a minimum level of grooming and presentation in Riding Level 4 as well.

Turn Out. Horse & Rider. AD shirt, boots, breeches, helmet, gloves

We're not looking for shadbellies or show jackets, but at this level we do expect that you wear what is considered standard modern riding clothes, and are capable of grooming tacking up your horse in a presentable fashion.

Rider Turnout

Wear your (clean!) Academie Duello shirt tucked into your breeches. A belt adds to the turnout impression. If the weather is cold or wet you may wear an appropriate jacket or sweater over top.
Breeches or jodhpurs may be of any colour but should be designed for riding.
Tall boots, paddock boots, or pull-on boots such as Blundstones are acceptable. Ankle height boots should be accompanied by presentable half-chaps. Be sure to polish your boots before your test!
Helmets must be CSI/ASTM certified and in good repair.
Riding gloves should be worn, even if you don't normally wear gloves to ride.
Long hair must be in a low bun or braid (not just a ponytail). A hairnet is even better. And as always, large or dangling jewelry is out.
Your whip should be appropriate to the discipline you will be testing first. An all-purpose crop or jumping bat is appropriate for the Level 4 Riding test, but a dressage whip may be used for the flat portions if desired.
Spurs may be worn if needed. Be sure they are clean and fitted correctly.

Horse Turnout

Review this level 4 post on grooming for the standards we'll be using to evaluate your horse's turnout. In addition to being well groomed, her tack must be clean, in good repair and well-fitted. We will be looking for

Clean bit. The bit should be clean before you bridle your horse, and you will want to wipe your horse's mouth just before your tack check to mop up any green foam that has accumulated since you bridled him. Hint: don't allow your horse to eat while or after you tack up and your job of keeping the bit clean will be that much easier!
Clean leather & buckles. Tack should be soft and clean without being oily. Be sure to clean off the 'jockeys' (bits of grime that accumulate on the underside of tack) before your test. Buckles and metal fittings should also be cleaned to remove built-up grime. If any pieces of tack are showing wear or breakage, have them repaired before the test.
Bridle. The bridle and noseband should be correctly fitted to the horse. See this post for more information on noseband fitting.
Saddle and girth. The saddle's billets should be in good shape and the girth snugged for riding. Your examiner will check that the saddle fits the horse correctly. Make sure the saddle pad is pulled up at the withers to allow wither relief, and that the girth and/or billets are through the keepers of your saddle pad or numnah.
Boots, martingales & breastplates. All other tack that is on your horse will be check for correct fitting, cleanliness, and good repair.

jack-turnout — You won't need beautiful braids or a show jacket, but a shiny horse and impeccable tack will make an excellent first impression with the examiners.

Practice and preparation is key to doing well on this portion of the assessment. Practice thorough grooming so it is second nature to make your horse shine on test day. Prepare by checking your tack for damage a few weeks beforehand, and cleaning it thoroughly the day before your assessment. Be sure to do any clipping, trimming, or mane pulling several days ahead of time. Regular attention to these details in the months leading up to testing will make it much easier to pull off a polished turnout and wow your examiners when the clipboards are out.

Upcoming Courses

Intro to Mounted Combat

Experience your dreams of being a knight as you take the first step in Academie Duello’s mounted combat program. This unique workshop brings together swordplay, riding, and horsemanship into an exciting session geared toward beginners.

Beginning riders are provided one on one attention during the riding portion. Those with previous experience will have the opportunity to ride independently and practise more advanced drills. This course is an ideal way to introduce yourself to both equestrian and swordplay skills and get started on a deep and exciting track of learning. Upon completion of the workshop, you will qualify to join us for further in-depth classes in Riding, Horsemanship, and Swordplay.

Sunday 13 November, 1-4pm
cost: $149 + gst
instructors: Devon Boorman & Jennifer Landels

Mounted Combat Practices

These sessions are the Mounted Combat Programs version of Open Floor: a chance to come out and practice your riding, horsemanship, and mounted combat skills from the ground and from horseback. The practices are free to Mounted Combat Members, but non-members may drop in for $20 with prior approval.

Mondays, 6-8pm
cost: free for Mounted Combat Members; $20 drop-in
prerequisites: at least one of Green Spur, Riding Level 1, Longsword Fundamentals, Mounted Combat Fundamentals.

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.