Levels of Achievements

One of the main contributing factors to the sucess of EC’s Riding Academy is our expectations for our students and instructors. Every year at El Camino Ranch’s Fall Festival we present our students with their hard earned Certificate of Achievement. These awards are based on our Levels of Achievements. 

Pony Pal

• Student can explain how to put a halter on
• Student can demonstrate in what order grooming tools should be used
• Student can explain how to properly mount and dismount
• Student can identify 2 basic parts of the horse
• Student can demonstrate safety in cross tie area

Western Seat

 Basic level 1

• Demonstrate how to halter, lead and turn in a circle
• Demonstrate how too properly groom and can name 3 tools used
• Demonstrate how to properly mount and dismount a horse
• Can assume the correct riding position
• Demonstrate the correct way to hold and shorten reins

Western Seat Basic level II

• Identify 5 basic parts of the horse
• Demonstrate standing up in stirrups at a walk with good balance
• Demonstrate riding with one hand
• Demonstrate ability to walk, circle the horse, halt and back on command
• Show how to drop and pick up stirrups without looking

Western Seat Basic level III

• Is able to ride 3 different horses
• Is able to differentiate between a jog and an extended trot
• Demonstrate a control of speed and directions through obstacles
• Can identify the following bits (snaffle, curb)
• Can identify the following horse terms (mare , gelding, stallion, and foal)

Western Seat Intermediate level I

• Can demonstrate a lope
• Can demonstrate a figure 8 pattern at jog
• Identify the proper lead and able to explain the aid used to get the correct lead
• Demonstrate ability to lope from all gates and the downward transitions from all gates
• Can identify 10 basic horse parts

Western Seat Intermediate level II

• Is comfortable with ground poles
• Can demonstrate a leg yield and pivot on the haunches and forehand
• Demonstrate ability to side pass
• Can demonstrate a simple lead change
• Can demonstrate a figure 8 pattern at a lope

Western Seat Intermediate level III

• Can demonstrate the proper way to lunge a horse
• Can demonstrate the proper way to bathe a horse
• Can identify 20 basic parts of the horse
• Can identify 4 parts if the Western saddle
• Is able to assemble a Western bridle

Western Seat Advanced level I

• Can walk, jog, and lope without stirrups
• Able to identify first and second direction
• Can properly “collect” a horse
• Can set a horse’s head for the show ring
• Has competed in at least 1 competition

Western Seat Advanced level II

• Can demonstrate a roll back
• Can properly clean and polish saddle and bridle
• Demonstrate ability to walk/jog/lope with minimal contact on bit
• Show ability to properly back in front of a judge
• Has competed in no less than 5 competitions

Western Seat Advanced Level III

• Is able to properly groom a horse for competition
• Is able to show clip muzzle, eyes, ears, and bridle path
• Is able to identify common equine ailments
• Can properly fit a saddle/bridle to a horse
• Has competed in at least 1 “A” level competition

Hunter Seat

Basic level 1

• Demonstrate how to halter, lead and turn in a circle
• Demonstrate how too properly groom and can name 3 tools used
• Demonstrate how to properly mount and dismount a horse
• Can assume the correct riding position
• Demonstrate the correct way to hold and shorten reins

Hunt seat Basic level II

• Identify 5 basic parts of the horse
• Demonstrate how to properly 2 point
• Demonstrate posting trot
• Demonstrate ability to walk, circle the horse, halt and back on command
• Show how to drop and pick up stirrups without looking

Hunt seat Basic level III

• Is able to ride 3 different horses
• Identify the proper diagonal and show how to change it
• Demonstrate a control of speed and directions through obstacles
• Can identify the following bits (snaffle, kimberwick)
• Can identify the following horse terms (mare, gelding, stallion, and foal)

Hunt seat Intermediate level I

• Demonstrate the canter and hand gallop
• Can demonstrate a figure 8 pattern at a trot
• Identify the proper lead and able to explain the aid used to get the correct lead
• Demonstrate ability to canter from all gates and the downward transitions from all gates
• Can identify 10 basic horse parts

Hunt seat Intermediate level II

• Is comfortable with ground poles
• Can demonstrate a leg yield and pivot on the haunches and forehand
• Demonstrate ability to side pass
• Can demonstrate a simple lead change
• Can demonstrate a figure 8 pattern at a canter

Hunt seat Intermediate level III

• Can demonstrate the proper way to lunge a horse
• Can demonstrate the proper way to bathe a horse
• Can identify 20 basic parts of the horse
• Can identify 4 parts if the hunt seat saddle
• Is able to assemble a hunt seat bridle

Hunt seat Advanced level I

• Can walk, trot, and canter without stirrups
• Able to identify first and second direction
• Can properly “collect” a horse
• Can set a horse’s head for the show ring
• Has competed in at least 1 competition

Hunt seat Advanced level II

• Can demonstrate a roll back
• Can properly clean a saddle and bridle
• Demonstrate ability to walk/trot/canter with sympathetic hands
• Show ability to properly back in front of a judge
• Has competed in no less than 5 competitions

Hunt Seat Advanced Level III

• Is able to properly groom a horse for competition
• Is able to show clip muzzle, eyes, ears, and bridle path
• Is able to identify common equine ailments
• Can properly fit a saddle/bridle to a horse
• Has competed in at least 1 “A” level competition

Saddle Seat

 Basic level 1

• Demonstrate how to halter, lead and turn in a circle
• Demonstrate how to properly groom and can name 3 tools used
• Demonstrate how to properly mount and dismount a horse
• Can assume the correct riding position
• Demonstrate the correct way to hold and shorten reins

Saddle seat Basic level II

• Identify 5 basic parts of the horse
• Demonstrate how to properly 2 point
• Demonstrate posting trot
• Demonstrate ability to walk, circle the horse, halt and back on command
• Show how to drop and pick up stirrups without looking

Saddle seat Basic level III

• Is able to ride 3 different horses
• Identify the proper diagonal and show how to change it
• Demonstrate a control of speed and directions through obstacles
• Can identify 4 parts on a full bridle
• Can identify the following horse terms (mare, gelding, stallion, and foal)

Saddle seat Intermediate level I

• Demonstrate the canter and hand gallop
• Can demonstrate a figure 8 pattern at a trot
• Identify the proper lead and able to explain the aid used to get the correct lead
• Demonstrate ability to canter from all gates and the downward transitions from all gates
• Can identify 10 basic horse parts

Saddle seat Intermediate level II

• Can demonstrate a strong trot
• Can demonstrate a leg yield
• Can demonstrate the ability to reverse and trot
• Is able to ride in the full bridle (4 reins)
• Can demonstrate a figure 8 pattern at a canter

Saddle seat Advanced level I

• Can walk, trot, and canter without stirrups
• Able to identify first and second direction
• Can properly “collect” a horse
• Can set a horse’s head for the show ring
• Has competed in at least 1 competition

Saddle seat Advanced level II

• Can back 5 steps, walk off on a lose rein, and gather reins
• Can properly clean a saddle and bridle
• Demonstrate ability to walk/trot/canter with sympathetic hands
• Show ability to properly back in front of a judge (from line-up)
• Has competed in no less than 5 competitions

Saddle Seat Advanced Level III

• Is able to properly groom a horse for competition
• Is able to show clip muzzle, eyes, ears, and bridle path
• Is able to identify common equine ailments
• Can properly fit a saddle/bridle to a horse
• Has competed in at least 1 “A” level competition

Specialty Achievements

Specialty Achievements may only be earned, after completing Intermediate Level III in any given division. Instructors should be discriminating when appointing a level of achievement. These awards are to be earned and not given. The student must perform the required tasks properly with, confidence and ease.

Introduction to Equitation

• Can demonstrate proper body position for any given discipline
• Has completed no less than 10 patterns
• Is able to properly read and write a pattern on paper
• Demonstrates exceptional use of available riding area
• Is able to ride with confidence, consistency, and appropriate attitude

Introduction to Showmanship

• Is able to explain the difference between the “half system” and the “quarter system”
• Can properly show to the judge
• Has completed no less than 5 showmanship patterns
• Can identify 30 basic horse parts
• Can properly groom a horse for competition

Introduction to Jumping

• Is able to demonstrate a proper two-point without stirrups.
• Is comfortable cantering over caveletties
• Can properly count strides
• Is able to trot a cross rail
• Can demonstrate a crest release

Introduction to Dressage

• Can demonstrate a leg yield
• Can demonstrate collected, working, and extended gaits
• Can identify proper tack and attire for competition
• Has basic knowledge of rules and regulations
• Has accurately completed all training level tests

Introduction to Gymkhana

• Has completed at least 9 gymkhana events
• Is able to complete an event in under 60 seconds
• Can Identify proper tack and attire for competition
• Possesses basic knowledge of competition rules and penalties
• Has competed at no less than 3 local gymkhana’s

Introduction to Reining

• Has completed all 8 reining patterns
• Can demonstrate a slide, rollback, and spin
• Possesses knowledge of competition rules and penalties
• Can identify a legal reining bit
• Has competed in at least 1 reining event

Introduction to Show Grooming

• Is able to body clip
• Is able to sand feet
• Can properly gloss face and shine body
• Is able to neatly and correctly tack for all divisions
• Is able to read a show schedule and estimate class times

Introduction to First Aid

• Can properly identify and treat common types of fungus
• Can effectively clean and dress a wound
• Can properly identify 3 symptoms of colic
• Is able to identify lameness 
• Can identify 3 plants that are toxic to horses