Horseback Riding
Lessons
Growth Track 1 & 2
Level Description
The GT1 and GT2 levels are for riders who have successfully displayed the Level 3 Horsemanship Skills as set out in the Youth Horsemanship Certification Program and are ready to progress.
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This program focuses on consolidating and refining basic equestrian skills and stabilizing variants of basic skills and new skills. For those who choose to compete, this level introduces the competitive experience, setting competition goals, managing school with riding, creating a teamwork mindset and solid training habits.
This level focuses on increased relationships with coaches and horses and begins to introduce the rider to the horse industry.
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Riders at this level are eligible to join the Key Leadership Team to become a Leader Assistant. Ask your instructor or contact our office for more information.
Horse Requirements
​Clip Clop provides youth friendly and safe horses for learning at this level.
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Clip Clop is an educational horsemanship program and not a competitive or recreational program.
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This is the level, that once achieved riders are ready to move on to leasing or purchasing a horse.
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Please note that riders must modify their expectations for progression as the Clip Clop horses are safe, lesson horses, not performance horses, and will not be pushed beyond
their ability.
Cost:
4-week months: $380.00/session
Duration
The GT Horsemanship Session is 2 hours.
The rider arrives 30 minutes prior to the 1 -hour riding lesson, and remains until 30 minutes past the riding lesson for Off-Horse learning.
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Riders may or may not groom/tack up/untack the horse they are riding due to scheduling of horses and riders.
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We do our level best to provide this opportunity to all riders but due to the logistics of certain classes and riders it is not always possible.
Attire (Riding Equipment)
Riders are required to purchase their own riding gear for safety, hygienic and comfort reasons.
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See “Dress Code” in the Riding Lessons Information Package sent via email upon completion of registration for complete information on cost, vendors,
and items.​
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"Riding outside is an advanced skill and my horse and I must trust each other."
Estella, 18, Master Growth Track Rider and Youth Council Member
"Taking care of my horse means he'll take care of me in return. It's a great deal, especially since he weighs 1,000 pounds and I'm riding on his back. It's amazing to know that our mutual care keeps us both safe!"
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Marion, 16, Growth Track Rider and Key Leader.
Key Leadership Program
Riders at this level are ready to join the Key Leadership Program where riders continue their loving and learning about horses while helping others and receiving a discount towards their horsemanship lessons!
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Check out the Key Leadership Program Page!
Growth Track Schedule
2024-25
Calgary
Tuesdays:
7:25 - 9:15 pm
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Wednesdays:
7:25 - 9:15 pm
Edmonton
Tuesdays:
7:25 - 9:15 pm
Please be sure you are looking at your city's schedule.
Continuing to Grow
Horsemanship:
Basic horse skills learned off and on the horse that are necessary for a solid foundation.
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Humanship:
Basic personal skills learned through horsemanship that are vital to success in life.
On-Horse Skills:
Are horsemanship skills learned through the direct contact with the horse riding and ground training.
Grooming, tacking up, and leading are examples.
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Off-Horse Skills:
Are horsemanship skills learned dismounted and not in direct contact with the horse.
Horse parts, breeds and colors are examples.
Class Description and
Levels & Age
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Clip Clop's riding lesson curriculum is based on the Youth Horsemanship Certification program which is a planned progression of horse handling, horse husbandry and riding skills, with an emphasis on SAFETY, EDUCATION and FUN. These skills combine to create a solid foundation for the young horse person.
Categorizing riders by age in the sport of riding can be tricky. Riding is an individual sport, the horses are individuals and the riders are individuals.
Each one of these individuals is characterized by their size, personality, exposure, training, and comfort level with risk. All of these - and many more- transcend age boundaries, making categorizing riders by age alone an insufficient means of assessment.
Our goal is that each rider feels confident, safe, and that they have a sense of support and belonging in our program while progressing through the levels at their own individual pace.
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