Youth Riders Build Skills And Confidence At English Riding Clinic
Youth and adult riders from across western North Dakota gathered for a two-day English Riding Clinic hosted by the Mountrail County and Fort Berthold Extension Offices. Participants traveled from Mountrail, Ward, and Burleigh Counties to take part in the hands-on learning experience, which focused on building foundational riding skills and introducing jumping techniques.
The clinic welcomed six youth and two adult riders, creating a small-group environment that allowed for individualized instruction and meaningful practice time. Over the course of two days, participants explored both classroom-based concepts and mounted riding sessions designed to strengthen communication between horse and rider.
Day one centered on foundational flatwork and horsemanship. Riders began with a safety review and equipment check before diving into a discussion on bits and their uses. Participants examined common bit types, including O-ring snaffles, D-ring snaffles, and Kimberwicks, learning how each affects a horse’s mouth and rider control.
Mounted sessions focused on rider position and control. Participants worked on proper seat alignment, maintaining correct rein contact, and developing balance through posting trot exercises. These exercises helped riders strengthen their core and improve stability in the saddle.
In the afternoon, riders advanced their understanding of diagonals and practiced identifying and correcting them while mounted. Instruction on connection and flexion emphasized soft communication with the horse encouraging proper bending and use of the reins.
Day two shifted to application of equitation and jumping fundamentals. After reviewing key concepts from the previous day, an introduction to equitation patterns, where riders practiced circles, figure-eights, and serpentines with attention to accuracy and position. Participants then moved on to learning about different riding seats, including the two-point and three-point positions, and when each is most effective.
Ground instruction on approaching a jump covered rider focus, rhythm, and basic stride counting. Riders then applied these concepts during mounted sessions that transitioned from flatwork to fences.
Participants practiced maintaining a balanced two-point position at the trot and canter before progressing to ground poles and simple equitation patterns. The clinic culminated with an introduction to fences, where riders worked on counting strides and approaching small jumps with control and confidence.
By the end of the clinic, participants demonstrated noticeable growth in their riding abilities. Riders reported increased confidence in posting, identifying diagonals, flexing their horses, and understanding how to properly approach a jump. They also gained a clearer understanding of when to use two-point versus three-point positions, especially in jumping scenarios.
Organizers noted that the clinic not only strengthened technical riding skills but also helped build confidence and connection between horse and rider, key components for continued success in English riding discipline.
The Mountrail County and Fort Berthold Extension Offices look forward to offering additional equine educational opportunities in the future to support youth development and skill-building across the region.