Focusing on one aspect of riding, such as trail, over several lessons can be a great and fun thing for your students. It gives you more educational opportunities to talk about a specific type of riding. It makes class more interesting because you are focusing on a subject through which you teach the skills. And it gives you time to cover a topic really well. And in the same way that you have progression in your individual lessons, you can have progression through a series of lessons.
One such topic is Trail. This is an example of a series of lesson plans in which to teach your students about different types of trail riding and obstacles:
Week 1 – Show Trail Class – teach 3 new obstacles in a pattern: backing, poles, bridge, and show rules
Week 2 – Show Trail Class – teach 3 new obstacles in a pattern: backing L, mailbox, bucket,
Week 3 – Show Trail Class – teach 3 new obstacles in a pattern: gate, box, labyrinth
Week 4 – Outdoor Trail Riding – teach trail rules, new objects, saddle bag scavenger hunt, serpentines, animals
Week 5 – Outdoor Trail Riding – teach bridge, gate, log, zigzag, dismount wrong side
Week 6 – Overnight Pack Trip Trail Ride – teach rating speed, following signs, dismount, leading, tying, grooming, “sleep overnight”, check horses, tack back up, finish trail ride
Week 7 – Put it all together – ride a long course, walk through on foot, how to read a posted pattern, take turns like at a show
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Note: This is not professional advice, this is a blog. I am not liable for what you do with or how you use this information. The activities explained in this blog may not be fit for every rider, riding instructor, or riding center depending on their current condition and resources. Use your best personal judgement!