Level 0: Zilch
Groundwork: Not able to halter, lead, groom, or tack up a horse.
Riding: Never been on a horse or has been led at the walk only.
Showing: None.
Level 1: New to Horses
Groundwork: Learns basic safety around horses, including leading, grooming, and tacking up. Understands horse body language and begins practicing groundwork exercises such as yielding hindquarters and backing up. Can pick hooves and identify basic tack.
Riding: Independent at the walk and trot. Can post if riding English. Can steer using rein and leg aids, mount/dismount properly, and halt with control.
Showing: Not much, if any.
Level 2: Developing Fundamentals
Groundwork: Can lunge a horse with basic voice commands. Can desensitization and handle a horse in different environments. .
Riding: Independent at walk, trot, canter with independent seat, arms, and legs; can ride training level dressage and/or basic equitation patterns western. May have started pole work and small cross rails for jumping disciplines.
Showing: May enter local schooling shows, introductory dressage tests, or small jumper rounds. Western riders may try trail classes, reining basics, or ranch riding.
Level 3: Confident & Competent
Groundwork: Can lunge a horse in tack and with side reins if needed. Begins ground-driving exercises and refining in-hand work. Works with young or green horses under supervision.
Riding: Has control at all gaits, starts lateral movements (leg yields, shoulder-in), and rides with confidence in varied settings (trails, outdoor courses). Can ride green horses with guidance.
Showing: Competes at regional shows, executing courses, dressage tests, or timed events (barrel racing, jumping rounds, etc.). Understands showmanship techniques and scoring criteria.
Level 4: Versatile & Skilled
Groundwork: Works on liberty training, advanced groundwork (groundwork for collection, piaffe preparation, working with multiple horses), and can handle problem behaviors effectively.
Riding: Demonstrates precision and effectiveness in aids, executes collected and extended gaits, can ride over technical jumping courses, and/or schools high-level movements (flying changes, pirouettes, rollbacks, spins)
Showing: Competes at national-level events, maintains composure under pressure, and strategizes performances. Can handle multiple horses and adapt to different riding styles.
Level 5: Trainer & Competitor
Groundwork: Develops horses from groundwork to competition level. Schools young horses for performance careers and rehabilitates problem horses.
Riding: Capable of training horses in various disciplines, adjusting techniques based on horse personality and ability. Can ride high-performance dressage, eventing, reining, or hunter/jumper courses with expert-level skills.
Showing: Competes at national and international competitions, preparing horses for top-tier performances. Coaches students at all levels and develops successful training programs.