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Course 103 — Applied Equitation

Course 103 — Applied Equitation

The final course of the Level 1 Foundational Horsemanship Certification. Everything you built on the ground now happens in the saddle: the pre-ride check, mounting safely, the independent seat and independent hands, steering with the direct rein and then the neck rein, transitions, and the stop, including the one-rein stop drilled until it is reflex.

The course ends where Ocean View Stables begins: riding out. Trail etiquette, hills, water, and the beach ride, treated as what it is, an extension of your horsemanship and not a casual excursion. Finish with your certification, then talk to us about the Student Assistant Program and where the journey goes after Level 1.

Soft is strong. Clarity is kindness.

Join this Course
Responsible Zachary Leyden
Last Update 07/28/2026
Completion Time 7 hours 24 minutes
Members 1
Intermediate
  • Before You Mount (empty)
    3Lessons · 27 min
    • The Pre-Ride Check
      Preview
    • Mounting and Dismounting Safely
    • Watch: Mounting as a Willing Partnership
  • The Seat and the Hands (empty)
    7Lessons · 1 hr 22 min
    • The Independent Seat
    • Independent Hands
    • Finding Your Balance at the Walk
    • Watch: Riding With Correct Aids — Buck Brannaman
    • Watch: Tom Dorrance — Riding with Feel, Timing and Balance
    • Watch: Peter Campbell — The Art of Being a Rider
    • Watch: Ken McNabb — Riding With Correct Body Position
  • Steering (empty)
    4Lessons · 36 min
    • The Direct Rein
    • The Neck Rein
    • Seat, Leg, and Rein Together
    • Watch: From Direct Rein to Neck Rein
  • Gaits, Transitions, and Stops (empty)
    6Lessons · 49 min
    • Walk, Trot, and Sitting the Jog
    • Transitions: Upward and Downward
    • The Stop and the One-Rein Stop
    • Watch: One-Rein Control
    • Watch: Martin Black — Rating Speed in the Circle
    • Watch: Warwick Schiller — Relaxation Under Saddle
  • Riding Out (empty)
    6Lessons · 56 min
    • Trail Etiquette and Awareness
    • Hills, Water, and Obstacles
    • The Beach Ride
    • Watch: Solving Jigging on the Trail
    • Watch: Bryan Neubert — Freed Up Outside the Pen
    • Watch: Julie Goodnight — The Spooky Trail Horse
  • Long-Term Growth (empty)
    5Lessons · 2 hr 12 min
    • Building Your Routine
    • After Level 1: Where the Journey Goes
    • Watch: Remembering Ray Hunt
    • Watch: The Real Tom Dorrance
    • Watch: Stacy Westfall — The Bridleless Championship Ride
  • The Certification (empty)
    1Lessons · 30 min
    • Course 103 Certification
  • Go Deeper (empty)
    4Lessons · 32 min
    • The Long Ride: A Horseman's Habits
    • Watch: Buck Brannaman — Flatwork That Builds Softness
    • Watch: Buck Brannaman — Words of Wisdom
    • Watch: Guy McLean — Liberty and Lightness