Silver Galop/Galop 1

This is an introductory level, designed to give students a safe overview of basic mounted (stopping, turning, posting the trot, 2-point at the walk) and unmounted skills. It introduces safety concepts for handling horses on the ground and in the saddle. Students learn simple identification of tack and grooming equipment; elementary equine anatomy; and basic needs of the horse. 

Galop 2

This is a beginner level, designed to build upon skills introduced in Silver Galop/G1. The goal is to give students the ability to ride confidently and securely at the trot. Safety and accuracy is emphasized, as is the balanced seat required to advance to skills such as cantering and jumping. In unmounted lessons, students refine leading and grooming skills; learn to care for tack; to describe and measure horses; to apply protective boots and blankets; to identify elementary feeding principles and situations requiring veterinary care. 

Galop 3

This is a beginner level, designed to further develop students’ basic skills and independence on the flat. G3 introduces cantering on the rail and through simple figures, along with a small jump, and emphasizes the need to develop a strong, balanced position in preparation for riding over fences. In unmounted lessons, students are able to assess fit of tack; to identify basic first aid equipment; to understand concepts of conditioning for horse and rider; to apply simple bandages; to understand elementary stable management principles and routine horse care; to identify common breeds and riding disciplines. 

Galop 4

This is a beginner level, designed to encourage students to ride on the flat with attention to detail and an awareness of the horse’s balance, while giving them the skills necessary to safely trail ride, jump, and ride over introductory cross-country fences. In unmounted lessons, students are able to perform thorough grooming; to understand action of bits and specialty tack; to identify farrier tools; to understand principles of horse gaits and movement, basic first aid and parasite control, and safe longeing and trailering practices. 

Galop 5

This is an intermediate level, designed to give students the ability to ride with balance and accuracy on the flat and over fences. G5 students should achieve enough competency to safely participate in mounted activities outside of lessons, 1 while gaining appreciation for flatwork and equitation and an increased consideration for their horse. In unmounted lessons, students are able to demonstrate safe longeing and an understanding of gaits and distances; to evaluate basic conformation points; to plan conditioning schedules and relate horse’s work and condition to feed rations; to continue expanding knowledge of stable management and veterinary care; to begin relating equine behavior to human management practices. 

Galop 6

This is an intermediate level, requiring committed practice and refinement of both dressage and jumping positions. G6 students should acquire the secure seat and coordinated use of aids necessary for more advanced riding, while gaining confidence and experience in a variety of English riding disciplines. In unmounted lessons, students are able to understand and demonstrate show-quality grooming; to apply more advanced bandaging techniques; to evaluate longeing performance; to understand more advanced concepts of equine farrier and veterinary care; to identify daily horse management practices and safety issues related to trailering; to understand the economic realities of horse ownership.

Galop 7

This is an advanced intermediate level, designed to help students become empathetic riders and horse trainers. It introduces more sophisticated dressage techniques and training philosophy, while asking students to demonstrate strong jumping skills in a variety of settings. In unmounted lessons, students are able to teach basic Galops skills; to demonstrate understanding of jump course design; to evaluate a horse’s dressage performance; to demonstrate advanced health care skills; to evaluate more complex concepts of conformation and movement; to understand functional equine anatomy and relate equine systems to feeding, diseases and their control; to incorporate stable management principles in facility design. 

Galop 1

This is an introductory level, designed to give students a safe overview of basic driving (rein handling, basic figures at the walk, trot on a straight line) and in-hand work. 

It introduces safety concepts for handling horses on the ground and in the carriage. Students learn simple identification of harness, carriages, and grooming equipment; elementary equine anatomy; and basic needs of the horse. 

Galop 2

This is a beginner level, designed to build upon skills introduced in G1. The goal is to give students the ability to drive confidently and securely at the trot. Safety and accuracy is emphasized, as is the balanced posture required to advance to skills such as cantering and driving outside of the arena.

In unmounted lessons, students refine leading and grooming skills; learn basic harness care and carriage maintenance; to describe and measure horses; to apply protective boots and blankets; to identify elementary feeding principles and situations requiring veterinary care. 

Galop 3

 This is a beginner level, designed to further develop students’ basic driving skills and independence. G3 introduces cantering in the arena, simple obstacle driving, as well as driving outside of the arena/over varied terrain.  

In unmounted lessons, students are able to assess basic harness fit; to identify basic first aid equipment; to understand concepts of conditioning for horse and driver; to apply simple bandages; to understand elementary stable management principles and routine horse care; to identify common breeds and equestrian disciplines. 

Galop 4

This is a beginner level, designed to encourage students to drive in the arena with attention to detail and an awareness of the horse’s balance, while giving them the skills necessary to safely drive on the trail and through introductory marathon fences.

In unmounted lessons, students are able to perform thorough grooming; to understand action of bits and specialty tack; to identify farrier tools; to understand principles of horse gaits and movement, basic first aid and parasite control, and safe longeing/long-lining, and trailering practices.