Introduction to riding

Learning to ride is hugely rewarding as you find yourself able to build a bond and relationship with your horse as you ride. We look forward to helping you take your first steps. 

Gain knowledge and understanding to improve your riding and overall health.

Working through this series of awards will develop your flatwork skills, improve your position and help you ride with confidence. Learning the basics of riding on the flat is essential to any riding discipline.

Learning to jump will add more variation to your riding and help to improve your fitness, balance and confidence.

Working through the workbooks will give you a great introduction to the essential knowledge needed to enjoy and stay safe around horses. This theory will also help prepare you to care for a horse and develop your practical skills in other Challenge Awards.

This award focuses on building your knowledge of what horses need to help them stay healthy, comfortable and happy.

This award series focuses on building your understanding of basic horse anatomy, feeding needs and evaluating a horse’s health and condition. You can then use this knowledge to inform how you exercise and care for a horse.

Through these awards, you will gain essential skills and knowledge around horse care, horse behaviour, stable and field care, using and fitting rugs, and grooming.

These awards focus on developing your skills and knowledge to be able to enjoy your time on the yard being conscious of your safety and that of others on the yard too.

Lungeing will add variation to your horse’s exercise and is a great way to build a trusting relationship with your horse.

This award focuses on building your skills and knowledge in monitoring horses’ health, preventing health issues, and responding to any health concerns that arise.

In this challenge award you will cover some of the considerations to make before committing to a pony and be introduced to some of the basic skills and knowledge required to look after him.

Whether you are considering breeding from your own mare or just want to find out more about breeding horses in general, these challenge awards are a great place to start.