This is the comprehensive set of mounted lesson plans for Purple Level Horsemanship in the Learning Levels curriculum, containing 24 lessons for teaching intermediate Western riders, with suggestions for modifications.
The lessons shared here have all been used in our riding school and can be adapted to suit students of any age.
What’s included in the Purple Level Horsemanship plans?
- An introduction to teaching Purple Horsemanship.
- 24 separate lesson plans. These lessons are divided into approximate halves, with the first set focused on fitness and functional equitation and the second set covering sophisticated riding in the arena in preparation for riding a more challenging Western dressage test.
- Riding skills covered: riding accurate ring figures, direct transitions, introductory lateral work, obstacle work (including negotiating natural trail obstacles and jumping a low fence), riding without stirrups, and riding at the gallop. Students will learn to design exercises based on knowledge of the horse’s gaits and striding, and develop feel as well as an independent seat.
You can use the bookmarks and links in the document’s Table of Contents to easily navigate to the following lessons:
- Fitness First
- Superglue Seat
- In Tune Transitions
- Find Your Feel
- Made to Measure
- Skilled Without Stirrups
- Ride the Wave
- No Saddle, No Problem
- Back to Base
- Go for the Gallop
- Hips Don’t Lie
- Direction Detectives
- Lead Change Line
- Over the Rainbow
- Snail Shells
- Blind Circles
- Move Over
- Stair Climbers
- Passing Lane
- Spring Into Action
- Slow Down Serpentine
- Attention to Detail
- Application Stations
- Transition Tournament Revisited
We also have sets of equitation patterns, ground pole/jump courses, and obstacle courses suitable for each Level—all of which can be incorporated into one of these plans or taught separately.
