Royale Equestrian Centre

One of the hardest parts of teaching riding lessons is knowing when to let a student move on to the next skill. Sometimes the rider is eager to canter, jump higher, drop the stirrups, ride a more challenging horse, or move into a more advanced group but being able to perform a skill once doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ready to progress from it.

Here are a few red flags I look for...

- They can only perform the skill with constant reminders. If you stop coaching every few seconds and the skill immediately disappears, it probably isn’t established yet.

- Their position falls apart as soon as you add difficulty. A rider may look secure on the rail, but lose their leg, balance, or upper body control when you add transitions, poles, figures, or a less automatic horse.

- They rely heavily on the horse to make the exercise work. A very experienced school horse can make a rider appear more independent than they actually are.

- They can do it on one horse but not on another appropriate horse. Riders don’t need to ride every horse the same way but some transfer of the skill should be happening.

- They’re completing the exercise without understanding what they’re doing. Following instructions is different from understanding the purpose of the aids and recognizing when something needs to change.

- They can’t identify or correct their own mistakes yet. As riders progress, we should gradually see more self correction instead of every adjustment coming from the instructor.

- Increasing the difficulty causes all of the foundational skills to disappear. If adding speed, height, complexity, or independence causes everything underneath it to unravel, the foundation probably needs more time.

That doesn’t mean the rider has to be perfect before learning anything new. Progression is part of learning and sometimes introducing the next skill actually helps the previous one make more sense but there’s a difference between challenging a rider appropriately and moving them ahead before they have enough foundation to succeed.

Sometimes the best thing we can do for a student is make the level they’re already riding at more interesting, more challenging, and more productive instead of automatically moving on to the next thing.

What’s one sign that tells you a rider isn’t quite ready to move up yet?

Foggy mornings on the farm!

Hard to believe that tomorrow is September 1st and first day back to school for many. Time flies when you’re having fun!

Student Naomi riding Duchess in Coach Rosie’s lesson today!!

Have to love a pretty dapple grey. Duchess is such a lovely mare a quality bred Quarter Horse. Coach Rosie loves teaching with her because Duchess has so much to offer and teach her riders. 💜

Sept 5th - All Ages - Learn to ride horses!

Join us for a special event. Meet the horses, invite family or friends to join in or watch while you get to enjoy the farm.

Lovely well trained horses. Equestrian Canada Certified Coaches. Friendly inclusive environment!

4+ to adults. Max weight 200lbs.

Now booking our fall semester horseback riding lessons. Come try it out and sign up for a fun fall season.

Check out the booking link here:

🔗 https://royale.stablebuzz.com/booking?State=BookNow&Event=0F48BA50DA6F63A3FCF51B1A636057E4

Or visit our website
royaleequestriancentre.com

Student Ava riding Coco. She adores him. Always smiling ear to ear when she is paired with him. Horses know when you like them and Coco definitely gets all the love and adoration he desires with our riders.

Did you know Coco is a purebred Arabian? He was born and raised in Florida, he competed in Endurance and then was imported to Canada where he made the transition to competing in hunters, jumpers and dressage in Quebec before we bought him.

Now he makes so many people smile while he helps them learn and grow! He’s such a sweet horse and very photogenic too.

Baby Duke still has a lot of growing to do but when you look at him you woods think he was a full grown horse.

🐴 Clydesdale Fact of the Day!

Did you know the Clydesdale breed originated in Scotland’s Clyde Valley? These powerful horses were originally bred for heavy farm work and hauling, combining incredible strength with the calm, gentle temperament they’re still well known for today. 🌾❤️

Big horses, gentle hearts. 🐴

Horses don’t listen to your words. They listen to your nervous system, body language, and how you show up for them. Turns out kids do the exact same things.

New on the Substack, for riders and parents alike.

🔗 https://open.substack.com/pub/royaleequestriancentre/p/what-the-barn-teaches-about-raising?r=8fz1a1&utm_medium=ios

You can really feel the love in this picture. What a sweet moment captured of Amy and King! 👑

Lovely photo thanks to Anne-Marie

Join us for horseback riding lessons!

Try out a fun trial horseback riding lesson at the farm in Barrhaven in August.

Because once you give it a try you can then sign up for our Fall Semester Horseback Riding lessons.

Now Booking All our Fall Programs for Youth & Adults

First time riders, riders returning to the sport, and avid equestrians.

A fun, positive, inclusive environment. Certified coaches, lovely horses, and many fun and incredible opportunities to learn and grow.

Don’t miss out because our Fall Semester always has a waiting list!

royaleequestriancentre.com