Holiday Courses
August - 2010
These courses are run in August of each year and are for unaccompanined youngsters up to the age of 18 years. Anyone possessing basic riding skills, ie. off the lead rein and 7 years and upwards is welcome to attend.
For anyone not riding at Earnsdale, a quick telephone call to the school, 01254 702647 will help establish the level of course suitable for any rider.
It is a fun week which has proved very popular for many years now, with parents often arranging holiday periods around the dates for the course week.
Starting on Monday morning at 8.30 am promptly, the first task is to check the pony's stable and make sure it is prepared for the pony. Then a supervised and organised trip to the appropiate field to catch the pony. After leading the pony back to it's stable and putting in the feed, the pony is left to eat it's breakfast whilst our riders collect tack, grooming kits etc. and discuss the routine for the morning. This will always include a riding lesson, a practical demonstration of a related task and a lecture on care of the horse. Tack cleaning will also be part of the routine, as will learning the many and varied tasks around a busy stable yard. A cold drink and biscuit is provided mid morning.
The days on the yard finish at 12.30 pm on Mondays to Thursdays, but work is continued at home in the afternoons, when our riders work on a sheet of questions about the morning's instruction and riding techniques. On Fridays, the riders have their BHS Progressive Riding School Test in the morning, followed by a picnic lunch, brought by the rider that morning. Level 6 is equivalent to the BHS Stage I examination which means successful candidates will then get a further Certificate enabling them to have direct access into BHS Stage II. Once lunch is over, the ponies are prepared for the afternoon. This is fun time. A Competition between everyone on the course that week in three classes. Equitation, Handy Pony and Mounted Games for Level 1 and 2. Equitation, Show Jumping and Mounted Games for Level 3 & 4 and a dressage competition instead of equitation for Level 5 and 6.For candidates taking the Level 6 examination - this will entail an external examiner. Rosettes are awarded to 4th place are awarded in each class. Parents and friends are encouraged to come and watch on Friday afternoons and cheer on the riders. The week finishes with a Presentation of Certificates and prizes around 4.30 pm.
The levels range from BHS Progressive Riding School Test 1 - Test 6. Test 6 is equivalent to BHS Stage 1 and gives successful candidates direct enty into BHS Stage II. This necessitates an external examiner ao a small extra fee is charged to cover the visiting examiner's expenses. This is always very reasonable.
Early booking is recommended. A deposit of £25 secures a place on a course and pony of choice.
Some previous year's photographs.
Click here for APPLICATION FORM for 2010