Hunter/Jumper Lessons

Although generally referred to simply as “hunter/jumper”, the term encompasses multiple sub-styles of riding, all of which include either riding the horse over fences, or simply riding in the same general style as one would use to ride over fences. Hunter/jumper competitions have many different classes, which fall into 3 main categories: Hunters, Jumpers, and Equitation. These three categories all involve jumping fences, but are all judged differently:

Hunters

History: The evolution of hunters stems from 16^th to 19^th century European foxhunting, where hunting foxes with hounds was seen as a necessary way to protect their livestock from predation. It quickly evolved into a social event for the wealthy, blending the thrill of the chase with a test of horsemanship. As they chased the fox through the fields, they navigated varied terrain and jumped over hedges, walls, and other natural obstacles. A good hunt horse was valued for its bravery, stamina, quality movement and the ability to jump smoothly, efficiently and safely. The popularity of foxhunting set the stage for a formal show discipline judging a horse's ideal form, movement, and manners over fences that mimic those desired on the hunt field, emphasizing smoothness, good form, and quiet temperament. Early competitions focused on testing hunt horse qualities, progressing from natural jumps in open fields to more stylized, solid fences in an arena.
Competition: Hunter classes judge horses subjectively on their suitability as a foxhunting mount, focusing on a horse's smooth, consistent pace, graceful jumping style and pleasant demeanor, all to create a seamless, effortless-looking round of 8-10 fences that mirrors traditional field hunting. Judges use a numerical system to score the round, penalizing faults like knockdowns or refusals, but rewarding overall harmony and traditional appearance. Hunter classes are categorized in many different divisions, including those for young horses, inexperienced horses, ponies, and horses ridden by junior riders. Divisions typically include classes over fences as well as classes ‘under saddle’ in which horses do not jump, but are judged as a group at walk, trot and canter.
Programs: The United States Hunter Jumper Association encourages developing young horses through their Green Hunter Incentive through stakes classes, regional championships, and a national championship with significant prize money. The free USHJA Outreach program for beginners allows riders to earn points for year-end awards, providing a pathway into the sport. The Emerging Athletes Program is a horsemanship education program for young riders, focusing on skill development and advancing in the sport.

Jumpers

History: Show jumping evolved from its military roots in 19th-century Europe, where competitions featured both high and wide jumps. Becoming an Olympic sport in 1912, show jumping became more similar to the sport as we know it today, with standardized rules for technical and challenging courses.
Competition: Jumping is judged objectively, where penalties of 4 faults are accrued for each knockdown or refusal and time faults are added for exceeding the time allowed. Riders are eliminated for a second refusal, a fall, or going off-course. At the highest levels of the sport, such as the Olympics, there are two rounds – after a clear first round, riders advance to a “jump off” where the fastest round with the least faults wins. However, there are variations of this format, each with different scoring systems to determine the winner. Jumper classes are categorized in many different divisions, including those for young horses, inexperienced horses, and horses ridden by junior riders.
Programs: The United States Hunter Jumper Association offers competitive and educational pathways for developing jumper athletes, including the Emerging Jumper Rider Program and their Outreach Program which offers lower-height jumper competitions.

Equitation

History: Emerging as a distinct sport in the U.S. around the 1920s-30s, hunter seat equitation has its roots in cavalry training. In addition to its military origins, it is influenced by the sport of foxhunting, where a secure, balanced position, soft hands, smooth pace and good manners were essential. The modern style or ‘forward seat’, was strongly influenced by the style of Italian cavalry officer Frederico Caprilli who emphasized getting the rider’s seat off of the horse’s back. Today, the sport rewards riders with a balanced seat and style over simulated hunt field obstacles.
Competition: Judging each horse and rider over 8 to 10 jumps, judges look for a rider with good technique, form, subtle control and the pair’s ability to flow effortlessly over the course in harmony. The overall score reflects the rider’s effectiveness and finesse, emphasizing smooth, flowing performances and correct execution of the course. Points are deducted for faults like busy hands, unstable position, or poor communication between horse and rider. Equitation classes are categorized in many different divisions, including those for young riders, inexperienced riders, and amateur riders. Divisions typically include classes over fences as well as classes ‘on the flat’ in which entrants do not jump, but rather are judged as a group at walk, trot and canter.
Programs: The United States Hunter Jumper Association offers various programs for equitation riders such as the Emerging Athletes Program and the inclusive Outreach Program for new riders. These programs focus on rider skill, form, and riding technique across many different levels, from introductory Walk/Trot to 3'3", with pathways for all levels of riders and trainers to improve their skills and earn recognition.

	In this one-on-one course on the longe line, you will be able to ain an understanding of basic riding skills for any discipline, with the support of your instructor helping to guide your horse so you can focus on learning good general posture, balance and the ability to use your aids to communicate effectively with the horse.
	In this course, you will gain an understanding of basic independent riding skills in hunter seat equitation at the walk, trot, and begin going through simple ground pole exercises. With steady contact, tempo, and clear rhythm, you will improve your posture, balance, and use of the aids in both 3-point and 2-point positions as well as learn basic arena geometry and the qualities of a correct walk and trot. You will also learn how to apply these skills to be able to ride a simple ground poles course.
	In this course, you will gain basic independent riding skills in dressage in the walk, trot, and canter, and in more challenging ground pole exercises. Riders will improve their posture, balance, and use of the aids in both 2-point and 3-point positions and begin to demonstrate basic control of the horse’s balance with steady contact, tempo, and clear rhythm. You will also learn to apply these skills to be able to ride a simple equitation on the flat class, as well as to ride a more complex ground poles course.
	In this course, you will learn to manage your balance as well as the lateral and longitudinal balance of the horse. Riding the horse in front of the leg, from back to front, you’ll learn how to achieve having the horse reliably on the bit. You’ll be able to maintain a consistent balance from the inside leg to the outside rein on curved lines and lateral movements. The improved balance will allow you to ask for lengthening of stride and frame in trot and more challenging transitions on the flat. You will also gain a basic understanding of the lower elements of the training pyramid and use that tool to manage simple training challenges. You will be able to demonstrate a higher degree of balance, better position, and correct basics as you begin simple cross-rail trot in-canter outlines.
	In this course, you will learn to manage a higher degree of balance in yourself as well as the lateral and longitudinal balance of the horse, sufficiently enough to skillfully ride in a more advanced equitation on the flat class. You will learn to maintain consistent impulsion and balance from inside leg to outside rein on curved lines and lateral movements. The improved balance allows you to ask for lengthening of stride and frame in canter, and elementary counter-canter work on the flat. You will learn to demonstrate a clear understanding of the lower elements of the training pyramid and be ready to begin more advanced work. Finally, you will be cantering simple cross-rail courses, in preparation for riding more advanced courses.
	In this course, you will develop the level of balance necessary to ask the horse to accept more weight on the hindquarters. In addition to keeping the horse in front of the leg, from back to front, you are now learning how to develop the self-carriage necessary to perform the maneuvers required of this level, including collected, medium gaits, and the shoulder-in. You will also learn to rely on the training pyramid to dismantle any training challenges that arise. Finally, you’ll learn to apply what you’ve learned to courses up to 2’0” in height with oxers, combinations, and bending lines.
	In this course, you will also learn to achieve the level of balance necessary to ask the horse to accept more with on the hindquarters, to the point that the forehand is beginning to lift. You will have confirmed the self-carriage necessary to perform the maneuvers required at this level. This improved balance will allow you to ask for a more dramatic lengthening of stride and frame, more challenging transitions, and more complex lateral maneuvers. You will course 2’3” to 2’9” and will jump oxers, combinations, and bending lines.
	In this course, you will learn how to achieve the level of balance necessary to ask the horse to maintain a consistent uphill balance which results in a higher degree of self-carriage and more dramatic transitions between and within the gaits. You will also learn how to balance a higher degree of engagement and power by looseness and elasticity, and by allowing the horse to perform the movements with ease.

	Are you thinking about taking your skills into the show ring? This course teaches you the rules, shows you what to expect, what you'll need, strategies for success, and how the whole process works from signing up to packing it all in at the end of the day. *Required for off-site showing
	Leasing a horse allows you to supplement your education with time to practice in between your scheduled lessons. In this short course, you will learn the basic rules for leasing, how to schedule lease rides, some tips for more productive rides, and your responsibilities before, during, and after your lease sessions.
	In this course, you will learn how to tack up with a bareback pad, how to mount and dismount when bareback, the benefits of bareback riding, and some special safety considerations fo riding successfully without a saddle.
	Escape the arena, get off the beaten path, and put your skills to the test with this trail riding course. You will learn how to plan your trip, picking a safe trail, some of our top tips for tack, specialized trail equipment, and some essentials to bring with you. You will learn what to do in case of emergency, such as stopping an out-of-control horse in the open, riding around wildlife, and what to do in the event of a fall when you may not have access to medical care.
	In this course, you will learn how to get started riding bridless. This includes, setting your horse (and yourself) up for success, making your seat and legs more effective, and handling the training stick and string. This lesson will teach you ways to be clearer, softer, and have better leadership when riding.
	In this course, you will ditch the training stick and begin the canter and lateral movements such as the leg yield and turn on the haunches. You will start using more refined aids and doing more complex maneuvers such as side-passing and negotiating simple obstacles.
	In this course, you will maneuver through complex obstacles and drastically refine the aids to a nearly invisible level. This will put your dressage, western, or hunter/jumper classes to the ultimate test. You will do lateral work, flying changes, and jumping.

Individually Priced, A La Carte Lessons

	Private Lessons	Group Lessons
Level 1/White	$70.00	Not Available
Level 2/Yellow	$70.00	$50.00
Level 3/Purple	$80.00	$60.00
Level 4/Orange	$80.00	$60.00
Level 5/Blue	$80.00	$60.00
Level 6/Brown	$80.00	$60.00
Level 7/Red	$100.00	$80.00
Level 8/Black	$100.00	$80.00

Standard Subscription Packages

Our lesson packages allow you purchase lessons at a discounted rate. There are standard packages and premium packages. Each standard package is a monthly subscription that includes 4 tokens for 4 private lessons or 4 group lessons. Each premium package is a monthly subscription that includes 8 tokens for 8 private lessons or 8 group lessons. The packages are as follows:

Each subscription lasts for one season and is a season-long commitment. The seasons are:

Summer: June 1st - August 30
Fall: September 1st - November 30th
Winter: December 1st - February 29th
Spring: March 1st - May 31st

Prices listed are per month.

	4 Private Lessons/Month	4 Group Lessons/Month
Level 1/White	$252.00	---
Level 2/Yellow	$252.00	$180.00
Level 3/Purple	$288.00	$216.00
Level 4/Orange	$288.00	$216.00
Level 5/Blue	$288.00	$216.00
Level 6/Brown	$288.00	$216.00
Level 7/Red	$360.00	$288.00
Level 8/Black	$360.00	$288.00

Premium Subscription Packages

Our lesson packages allow you purchase lessons at a discounted rate. There are standard packages and premium packages. Each standard package is a monthly subscription that includes 4 tokens for 4 private lessons or 4 group lessons. Each premium package is a monthly subscription that includes 8 tokens for 8 private lessons or 8 group lessons. The packages are as follows:

Each subscription lasts for one season and is a season-long commitment. The seasons are:

Summer: June 1st - August 30
Fall: September 1st - November 30th
Winter: December 1st - February 29th
Spring: March 1st - May 31st

Prices listed are per month.

	8 Private Lessons/Month	8 Group Lessons/Month
Level 1/White	$504.00	---
Level 2/Yellow	$504.00	$360.00
Level 3/Purple	$576.00	$432.00
Level 4/Orange	$576.00	$432.00
Level 5/Blue	$576.00	$432.00
Level 6/Brown	$576.00	$432.00
Level 7/Red	$720.00	$576.00
Level 8/Black	$720.00	$576.00

Show Services

Coaching and Schooling Fee, Daily	$100.00
Non-Recognized Classes Pro Ride	$20.00
Recognized Classes Pro Ride	$40.00

For a full, detailed look into our upcoming show season, click HERE.

Horse Transportation

ONE-WAY DISTANCE	PRICE - $65.00 Minimum Charge
0-50 miles	$2.50 per mile
51-100 miles	$2.00 per mile
101-499 miles	$1.75 per mile
500+ miles	$1.25 per mile

QUICK PRICING GUIDE:

WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS - Lake Elmo, MN (3 miles, 1 way)	$65.00/round trip
STONEGATE FARM - Stillwater, MN (8 miles, 1 way)	$65.00/round trip
CARRIAGE HOUSE FARM - Hugo, MN (15 miles, 1 way)	$65.00/round trip
MINNESOTA STATE FAIRGROUNDS - Hugo, MN (15 miles, 1 way)	$65.00/round trip
ALPINE FARMS - Long Lake, MN (39 miles, 1 way)	$97.50/round trip
NORTH IOWA EVENTS CENTER - Mason City, IA (152 miles, 1 way)	$226.00/round trip
LEDGES SPORTING HORSES - Roscoe, IL (302 miles, 1 way)	$528.50/round trip
LAMPLIGHT EQUESTRIAN CENTER - Wayne, IL (310 miles, 1 way)	$542.50/round trip
WEC OHIO - Wilmington, OH (727 miles, 1 way)	$908.75/round trip
KENTUCKY HORSE PARK - Lexington, KY (757 miles, 1 way)	$946.25/round trip

Event schedule coming soon!

Whether you're just starting out or you're wanting to continue your hunter/jumper journey, we're here to help. Click here to book your assessment lesson today. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals!

The Professional Development Program is the cornerstone of the riding intruction and training program at Windfall Equestrian Center. Tailored to riders in dressage, hunt seat, and western disciplines, this program consists of 8 levels, each more challenging than the last. Click here to purchase one of our course catalogs for a deep dive into our courses within our professional development program and lesson program, both in-person and online.

For more information regarding fees and benefits, click here