2023 Spring Session Classes are Open for Enrollment | Spring & Summer Camps Posted for Stillwater Location | Hugo Camps Coming Soon (2.24.23)
To view specific class times, please visit your location's student portal!
core curriculum classes
Our stepwise program for kids ages 7-18 follows our comprehensive, six-level system. The first five levels—Introductory I, Introductory II, Rookie, Novice A and Novice B Riding—are geared toward taking students who have minimal horse experience and teaching them the basic skills of riding. Most of our students opt to start at the Introductory level, even if they have taken a couple of lessons elsewhere. Please see our FAQ page for more information about testing into our experienced levels as a new Spark Equestrian student.
Once riders have mastered the basic skills outlined in our Introductory, Rookie, and Novice levels, we welcome them to move on to Intro to Specialized Riding. In this level, students will learn about several different equestrian sports before deciding which sport they would like to pursue! Certain locations may offer additional advanced classes related to the equestrian sports their facility specialized in.
Starting in Spring of 2023, all Spark Core Curriculum classes will consist of a 45 minutes in the saddle and 40 minutes of horsemanship education.
Outside of our stepwise curriculum, we do offer a Tiny Tots class for students ages 3-5 years old.
Our Stepwise Riding Program
TINY TOTS
For ages 3-6 (not a part of our stepwise levels-system)
Session Dates
DURATION OF lesson
45 minutes
NUMBER OF Lessons
Summer Session: 8
Fall/Winter/Spring: 12
Curriculum
In the Tiny Tots class, our youngest students will learn the very basics of grooming and riding. This is an interactive class that involves the parent or guardian learning basic grooming and horse leading skills as well. Parents/guardians should be prepared to lead their child around on a horse or pony for about 15-25 minutes during the riding portion of the lesson.
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Learning how to safely interact with horses and ponies
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Becoming confident and comfortable around horses and ponies
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Learning how to brush and groom
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Building strength and balance in the saddle in a seated and two-point position at a walk
SESSION DATES
DURATION OF lessson
85 minutes
NUMBER OF LESSONS
Summer Session: 8
Fall/Winter/Spring: 12
CURRICULUM
Our introductory course will cover the very basics of riding and is designed for students with little-to-no horse experience. The skills that will be learned at this level include:
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Safely mounting/dismounting
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Developing strength and balance in the correct position(s)
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Developing independent aids at a walk
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Steering using the outside aids
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Steering patterns at a walk
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Walk-to-trot and trot-to-walk transitions
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Two-point at a walk and trot
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Introduction to independent horsemanship
NOTE: Some larger Spark locations may split Introductory I classes up by age.
INTRODUCTORY RIDING I
Level 1
INTRODUCTORY RIDING II
Level 2
SESSION DATES
DURATION OF LESSON
85 minutes
NUMBER OF LESSONS
Summer Session: 8
Fall/Winter/Spring: 12
CURRICULUM
Introductory Riding II classes continue to strengthen and build off of the Introductory Riding I skills:
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Review & mastery of Introductory Riding I skills
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Increasing strength, balance and confidence at a trot
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Improving steering & independent aids at a walk and trot
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Learning how to post the trot
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Increased horsemanship independence
rookie riding
Level 3
SESSION DATES
DURATION OF LESSON
85 minutes
NUMBER OF LESSONS
Summer Session: 8
Fall/Winter/Spring: 12
CURRICULUM
Designed for students who have sufficiently learned the skills covered in our Introductory Riding I and II classes, our Rookie level course will be working on the following skills:
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Learning posting diagonals at the trot
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Timing and use of different rein aids and seat positions
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Various steering exercises at the trot
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Introduction to cantering
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Increased horsemanship independence
NOVICE A RIDING
Level 4
SESSION DATES
DURATION OF LESSON
85 minutes
NUMBER OF LESSONS
Summer Session: 8
Fall/Winter/Spring: 12
CURRICULUM
Once riders have completed Rookie Riding, they will learn the following:
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Improve upon Rookie Riding skills
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Increased expectations regarding steering at a trot
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Increased independent aids at a trot
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Improving half-halts
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Building strength and balance at a canter
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Increased horsemanship independence
NOVICE B RIDING
Level 5
SESSION DATES
DURATION OF LESSON
85 minutes
NUMBER OF LESSONS
Summer Session: 8
Fall/Winter/Spring: 12
CURRICULUM
Novice B is the last class in our levels-system that has a horsemanship component to it. This is the level where students review the skills from all previous levels and are able to fill in any educational holes before they go on to Intro to Specialized riding. As such, these are the focus points of Novice B riding:
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Review & mastery of all previous skills
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Preparing students for non-horsemanship levels
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Performing more advanced patterns at a trot and canter
INTRO TO SPECIALIZED RIDING
Level 6
SESSION DATES
DURATION OF LESSON
85 minutes
NUMBER OF LESSONS
Summer Session: 8
Fall/Winter/Spring: 12
CURRICULUM
In this course, riders will use the skills learned in the previous courses to get their feet wet in jumping and dressage. The skills riders will master at this level are:
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Differentiating between what is required for hunters, jumpers, and dressage competitions
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Introduction to USDF dressage tests
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Jumping over individual cavaletti and/or small cross rails
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Competing in a mock-Dressage Seat Equitation Class
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Competing in a mock-Hunter Equitation Class
session dates
DURATION OF LESSON
60 minutes
NUMBER OF LESSONS
Summer Session: 8
Fall/Winter/Spring: 12
CURRICULUM
The skills that will be addressed at this level include:
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Dressage: Improving position, strength, balance, and independent aids at a walk, trot and canter. Test riding and equitation class practice.
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Jumping: Improving proper position over fences, finding the proper rhythm to carry to a fence, being aware of what canter lead your horse lands on
DRESSAGE & JUMPING BASICS
Specialized Classes Offered at Select Locations
COMPETITIVE DRESSAGE & JUMPING
Specialized Classes Offered at Select Locations
SESSION DATES
DURATION OF LESSON
60 minutes
NUMBER OF LESSONS
Summer Session: 8
Fall/Winter/Spring: 12
CURRICULUM
Competitive dressage and jumping classes are geared toward students who are preparing to lease or own a horse for the purpose of horse showing. These classes will focus on preparing students for the various showing expectations of the equestrian sport they have chosen to focus on.