Ribbon Ranks
This style of program is heavily influenced by Horse Sense Learning Levels and traditional martial arts rankings. This program uses ribbons to help students understand where they are in their horse journey and gives them a goal to work towards. Our Ribbon Rank programs are designed to help students master their skills before moving forward to more and more advanced gaits and maneuvers, prioritizing safety and understanding of proper riding and horsemanship skills.
Students progress through the Ribbon Ranks by learning/completing skills. Their instructor will check off the skills they have mastered, and once their checklist is complete, they may earn their ribbon and continue to the next rank.
Western Riding Ribbon Ranks
White Ribbon
Beginner level, signifying the students 'blank slate'. Students know how to act safely around horses and can perform basic maneuvers at the walk. Students are aware of the lessons’ routine and requirements including different barn rules and where things belong.
Green Ribbon
Beginner level, signifying how students are 'green' in their learning journey. Students progress in their riding skills at the walk, learning how to read, feel, and move their horse independently. Students learn how to better understand and communicate with horses, ride bareback, and complete trail rides, patterns, and obstacles.
Yellow Ribbons
Intermediate level, where students begin learning the trot and advance in their abilities to maneuver and communicate with their horse. They develop a better understanding of horse body language and learn more about different tack and equipment.
Red Ribbons
Intermediate level, where students develop their riding skills at the trot and complete more complex riding patterns. They learn more advanced cueing skills and continue learning about different tack and equipment.
Blue Ribbons
Advanced level, where students are introduced to the lope and advanced patterns at the trot. Students develop barn and horse care experience and learn how to train their horse. Students have completed a variety of activities and have worked extensively with horses.
Silver Ribbons
Advanced level, students have mastered all three gaits and can safely perform maneuvers and transitions into each gait. Students have ridden a variety of different horses, participated in different activities or events, understands the importance of horse care, and can assist in the instruction of beginner students.
Child Lessons ~ Ribbon Ranks
White Ribbon
Students are taught how to properly behave around horses and are assigned to a pony. Parents/leaders are taught how to properly lead their child’s pony and respond to emergency situations. Children are taught the basics of brushing, mounting, and riding.
Sky Blue Ribbons
Students and handlers focus on partnering together with their pony. They learn basic care and grooming skills along with doing different learning activities in the saddle.
Orange Ribbons
Students learn more about horse behavior and develop stronger riding skills. They transition into a trot and work on holding the reins. Handlers and students learn basic tack knowledge and learn the basics of saddling.
Spring Green Ribbons
Students learn more about the parts of tack and horses. They develop stronger trotting skills and learn how to properly go on a trail ride. Students are encouraged to connect with classmates through group activities besides riding.
Pink Ribbons
Students develop more independency from their handlers, while handlers learn how to read situations and horse body language to keep students safe. Students also learn more about horse care, barn/ranch rules, and how to act around bigger horses.
Rainbow Ribbons
Rainbow Ribbon is the most advanced child/lead line ribbon. Students develop more independent skills and learn bareback riding. Handlers continue to assist students as needed but give room for students to grow into their skills and knowledge.
Once completed, students continue practicing known skills, doing fun activities, and learning about horses. If a child has earned their Rainbow Ribbon and goes past the age of 7, the child has the skills and experience to move into earning their Yellow Ribbon. This moves them into the traditional program; however, they get to skip earning White and Green Ribbons.
Horsemanship Ribbon Ranks
Purple Ribbons
Students learn basic horse safety and how horses think and behave. They learn what horses like/dislike and how to properly communicate with them through different activities.
Coral Ribbons
Students learn more about horse behavior and how they can better communicate with their horse. This level focuses on how the students can partner with their horses and begin building a relationship with them.
Teal Ribbons
Students learn how to teach and train horses using different training techniques and methods. Students will develop problem-solving skills to help horses overcome fears, problems, and identify what is wrong and find the root of the issue.