Levels

Our “Galops” are a specific curriculum, inspired by the USPC (Pony-Club)

and the FFE (French Equestrian Federation) educational projects.

This progressive program takes into account the fundamental aspects of young riders’s physical, intellectual, and relational development & gives students a way to recognize their progress across a broad array of skills and knowledge.

Completing the requirements for each "Galop" or level (riding/driving, unmounted, and theory) is mandatory for moving up to the next group lesson. Your instructor will share a Google.doc with you so you can keep track of where you/your child are in your learning. Riding content will be covered in weekly lessons and unmounted & theory content will be covered in regular mini-clinics scheduled on weekends and "level up clinics" during the Summer.

Group lessons Fall 25 schedule:

Monday, 4:00pm-5:00pm: Silver Stirrup (Shetlands) & G1-Y
Monday, 5:00pm-5:30pm: G6 - Colt starting
Monday, 5:30pm-6:30pm: G1/2
Monday, 6:30pm-7:30pm: G5-6 (Flat)
Tuesday, 4:00pm-4:30pm: G2
Tuesday, 4:30pm-5:30pm: Bronze/Silver Stirrup - Leadline
Tuesday, 5:30pm-6:30pm: G2/3 (Adults)
Tuesday, 6:30pm-7:30pm: G3 (Shetlands)
Wednesday, 5:30pm-6:30pm: G1-Youth (Driving)
Wednesday, 6:30pm-7:30pm: G4 (Flat)
Thursday, 3:30pm-4:30pm: G1/2 (College/Adults)
Thursday, 4:30pm-5:30pm: Copper Stirrup - Leadline & G1-A
Thursday, 5:30pm-6:30pm: G3-Youth
Thursday, 6:30pm-7:30pm: G4 (Jump)
Friday, 4:30pm-5:30pm: G1/2 (Adults)
Friday, 5:45pm-6:45pm: G2/3 (College/Adults)
Friday, 6:45pm-7:45pm: G6/7 (Jump)
Saturday, 1:00pm-4pm: Mini-clinic (unmounted)
Sunday, 3:30pm-4:30pm: G1 (College)
Sunday, 4:30pm-6:30pm: IHSA

What does that mean?

Les Galops & Stirrup Levels

Our progressive curriculum is modeled on the French “Galops” and USPC standards. Students progress through levels that cover riding (or driving), unmounted horse care, and equine knowledge.

We offer two equivalent entry tracks, depending on student size and age:

Stirrup Levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold): for Shetland/minis (typically ages 4–10, height/weight within pony limits). These correspond to Galops 1–3, but taught on our smallest equines.
Galops 1–7: for students on large ponies or horses (typically ages 8+, or when tall/heavy enough to move up).

After the Stirrup Levels, students transition seamlessly into the Galops system at the appropriate point.

What does it mean?

Most well-rounded equestrians should, in the course of regular lessons and time spent in the barn, be able to acquire a minimum of Galop 4 or Galop 5 knowledge. This allows them to work comfortably in most barns and as a novice horse owner or lessee with experienced mentorship.

The Galops 6 & 7 are designed for dedicated equestrians eager to move past the basics and broaden their knowledge. These students may be interested in keeping horses independently, developing advanced riding or training skills, or pursuing a career in the equine industry. Above all, they should possess a genuine desire to become informed in all aspects of horse management, putting the horse's welfare first and foremost. Not all recreational students will achieve Galops 6 and 7. These levels (particularly Galop 7) require hours of study, critical thinking, and hands-on practice.

Les Galops & Stirrup Levels

Each Galop achieved unlocks greater independent privileges in the barn - such as volunteering (G2), showing off property (G4), free leases (G6).
If you want to show, AMF Équitation, LLC requires a certain level before competing:

- 1. Schooling Shows @ AMF Equitation: Silver Galop/Galop 1+
  2. Traveling to local schooling shows: Galop 4
  3. Traveling to rated shows: Galop 7

Jumping

Regular Jumping Lessons begin at the G4 level.

To preserve the safety of both students and horses, riders must take a minimum of one weekly flat lesson in addition to a jumping lesson. This means a commitment of at least two lessons per week for students pursuing jumping.

Jumping is not learned by “just jumping.” It is built on the foundation of hours spent on the flat, where riders develop the equitation, strength, stamina, and balance necessary to safely guide a horse over fences.

Progression goals by level:

Galop 4 – confidently jumping up to 2’
Galop 5 – confidently jumping up to 2’6”
Galop 6 – confidently jumping up to 3’
Galop 7 – confidently jumping up to 3’3”

These heights represent the expected goals for each level; advancement depends on demonstrated skill, consistency, and instructor approval.

A note about fitness and conditioning:

At AMF Equitation, we consider any rider who wants to compete, on the flat or over fences, or any rider jumping higher than 2’ to be an athlete. This means they need to ride regularly and make choices that support their body, such as eating nutritious meals and drinking plenty of water.

We strongly recommend cross-training: doing something regularly between lessons to maintain strength, stamina and flexibility. Many activities such as dance, running, swimming, and organized sports complement your riding by improving your stamina and building leg strength. Regular stretching exercises, such as yoga and Pilates, also help with balance, flexibility and core strength.

Purchasing a horse

Which level before owning your own mount?

The decision to purchase a horse should never be rushed. Riding only one horse or pony in the early stages can actually slow a rider’s progress and place undue physical and mental strain on the animal. For this reason, AMF Equitation does not teach students below G4 on their own horse or pony.

For horse welfare and rider development, we recommend waiting until at least the intermediate levels (G5/6) before considering ownership. At that stage, riders have developed enough independence, consistency, and horsemanship knowledge to responsibly work with one primary horse.

Note: Since 2021, French law requires a minimum of G4 certification before purchasing or adopting an equine, to ensure owners have the skills and knowledge to care for their animals. We support this principle and apply a similar philosophy in our program.

When should I purchase a horse?

Horse ownership (or a full lease) becomes the right step for an upper-intermediate rider (G6–G7) who wishes to fully commit to the sport. While AMF Equitation provides quality lesson horses, most are best suited for development up to G5 (approximately 2’3”–2’6” jumping).

We do have a limited number of horses who can consistently school at G5–G7 heights (2’6”–3’3”), but availability is limited and not every horse may be the best fit in terms of size, type, or ability for each rider.
AMF does not allow lesson horses to travel off-property individually. Riders looking to compete regularly or advance into higher-level jumping and showing will ultimately need their own horse or a full lease arrangement.

By waiting until G6–G7, students gain the confidence, skills, and knowledge to responsibly pursue ownership while continuing to advance their riding.

At the end of the day, it's all about the horses. We want to make their lives better by creating educated, compassionate riders & handlers...

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