Starting from the basic levels through Grand Prix, the
AAES Riding Certificate Program is a strategic and systematic
step
by step system combining hands-on, practical learning with classroom education
in the art of classical horsemanship. The AAES Riding Certificate Program's
mission provides AAES Riding Certificate students the highest quality of
equestrian education in the pursuit of excellence for riding, training and
teaching.
The faculty and staff of The American Academy of
Equestrian Sciences (AAES) is dedicated to sustaining a disciplined and
structured community that supports and inspires development of the
"whole" AAES student of the Certificate Program.
The AAES certificate program was founded on the
principles of "integrity" and "personal best" to include
student development in areas of leadership, critical thinking, goal setting,
and achievement. Providing a safe environment where students will "dare to
make mistake", the academy fosters and supports students in reaching for
excellence. Students as an outcome of the program learn to collaborate and
develop partnerships- with horses, teachers, students of the certificate
program.
The innovative and effective teaching at AAES provides
opportunities and life skills for the certificate student. The AmericanAcademy offers quality humane programming that will prepare students as a trainer, rider, and riding
instructor.
The AAES program is based on the German National Federation's APO certification system
--the most successful program of its kind
in the world... now implemented for the first time in the United States by AAES
Founder and noted International trainer and competitor, Marina Genn. In the early 1970's, the Reitschule
Genn GmbH in Germany grew to become the principal center
in Germany for the training and breeding of
fine competition horses. Marina trained many of these young horses herself, and
proceeded to ride many of them to victory in the show jumping ring and three-day
eventing course. After moving to Canada in 1982, she continued to excel in
the world of dressage competition. During her five competitive years in Canada, she placed 355 times including 121
first places, 65 seconds, and 55 thirds.
Marina Genn excelled as an International Competitor
under the direction of such accomplished riders as Dr. Reiner Klimke, (1984
Gold Medal Olympian, 6 times World Champion and 12 times European Champion in
team and individual Dressage); Herbert Rehbein, (world renown trainer and
competitor); and Johann Hinnemann, (1987 World Champion Dressage Team and
Individual Bronze Medalist). In the early 1970's, the Reitschule Genn GmbH in
Germany grew to become th of fine competition horses. Marina trained many of
these young horses herself, and proceeded to ride many of them to victory in
the show jumping ring and three-day eventing course. After moving to Canada in 1982, she continued to excel in the world of
dressage competition. During her five competitive years in Canada, she placed 355 times including 121 first places, 65
seconds, and 55 thirds.
In 1987,
Marina was long listed for the Canadian Equestrian Team, but
decided to leave Canada and move to the
United States to share her knowledge and experience. Deeply
committed to the promotion of her sport, she is proud of her accomplishments as
an exhibitor, and equally proud of her students who share her enthusiasm and
pursuit of excellence.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Rider
Certificate Program (RCP) is our signature program in which
each participant earns one rank at a time from beginner all the way to
advanced level rider. The Rider Certificate Program includes:
Riding:
One to five lessons per week, private or group
Theory:Theory classes in our upstairs classroom that cover a wide variety of
level-appropriate topics to round out your equestrian education and give you
a deeper understanding of the equestrian art. The theory classes are held on
Fridays and attendance is mandatory for those wishing to test.
Testing:
Testing in summer of 2012 will mark the culmination to another year’s hard
work on and off horseback! The test is designed to measure the level of
knowledge and skill gained during the year and is composed of three parts: a
verbal quiz, written test, and practical riding exam. Testing is required
for advancement to the next level.
PROGRAM LEVELS
Light Green Certificate
Walk and rising
trot on lunge line, main parts of the horse, horse behavior, how to
mount and dismount, grooming, tacking and safety.
Green Certificate
All of Light Green plus the following: walk and rising trot in a
group (small arena), basic conformation, basic tack knowledge, and
the rider’s dress.
Light Blue Certificate
All of Green plus the following: walk, rising trot and sitting trot
in a group (large arena), the different disciplines and breeds,
colors & markings, basic seat and aids.
Royal Blue Certificate
All of Light
Blue plus the following: walk, trot (rising and sitting), and canter
in large arena, gaits and footfall, thorough understanding of
bending and turning the horse, human exercise and nutrition.
Bronze I Certificate
All of Royal Blue plus the following: Training Level, two point
trot, canter, and transitions, trotting over a minimum of 3 trot
poles, the building blocks, basic veterinary procedures, the rider’s
seat and aids.
Bronze II Certificate
All of Bronze I
plus the following: First Level, Riding a horse “on the bit” (i.e.,
no side reins), the Training Pyramid, how to ride a test, dressage
movements, jump preparation, how to approach a fence, eventing,
riding up and down steep hills.
Bronze III Certificate
All of Bronze II
plus the following: Second Level Dressage. All requirements will be
ridden - individually, in large arena, and both directions. Pasture
and stable management, horse vaccinations, worming, dentistry and
shoeing. Collected and medium Trot and Cantor, 10 meter circles in
Canter and Level 2 Jumping/Eventing complete course at 3'.
Silver I Certificate
All of Bronze III
plus the following: Third Level Dressage or 4' Jumping Course -
varying distances,
counter canter, understanding conformation and the biomechanics of
movement, the cause and prevention of stable vices, on the bit and
the start of collection, stable and pasture management.
Silver II Certificate
All of Silver I
plus the following: Forth Level Dressage, Jumping a 4.5’ course, or
riding a 2 star event, horse nutrition, hoof care and shoeing,
biomechanics and upper level movements, true collection. Physiology
and biomechanics of horse and rider in the upper levels, human
musculoskeletal system, competition and stress control, identifying
and correcting uneven movement.
Gold I Certificate
All of Silver II
plus the following: Intermediate I and II Dressage, Jumping level 6. Riding a 5’
jumping course, or a 3 star event, increasing/decreasing stride,
vertical and lateral flexibility. Increased difficulty in
distance and combination jumps.
Gold II Certificate
All
of Gold I plus the following: FEI Intermediate I and II, Grand Prix
Test or Jumping Course, 4 star event, preparation for national &
international competition, collection and self carriage.
PROGRAM COST
The 2011-2012
Rider Certificate Program (RCP) starts Monday, September 5th, 2011.
Re-enrollment each year is automatic unless canceled by the participant.
The RCP offers a $10 discount per lesson off the single lesson rate for the
first lesson per week, and a $15 discount off the per lesson rate for each
additional weekly lesson! Tuition for the RCP may be paid up front for the
entire year, or in monthly installments with an initial down payment due
upon enrollment. The pricing below is based on enrollment in September. We
will be happy to prorate the tuition for those enrolling mid-year.
Lesson Program
Total Yearly Tuition
Down Payment
Due Sept. 1st
Monthly Tuition
October - June
One (1) 45 minute Group or
30 minute Private Lesson per Week
$3,140.00
or
$1,250.00
$220.00
Two *(2) 45 minute Group or
30 minute Private Lessons per Week
$5,480.00
or
$2,400.00
$350.00
Three (3) 45 minute Group or
30 minute Private Lessons per Week
$7,820.00
or
$3,500.00
$490.00
Four (4) 45 minute Group or
30 minute Private Lessons per Week
$10,160.00
or
$5,000.00
$580.00
Five (5) 45 minute Group or
30 minute Private Lessons per Week
$12,500.00
or
$6,700.00
$650.00
* Best Value
ATTIRE
Athletes in the Rider Certificate Program are required to wear the appropriate riding attire, as follows:
Helmet Riding Boots: either paddock boots and chaps or tall boots Riding Breeches Academy Shirt/Sweatshirt
We have a limited supply of riding attire available for exchange at our location through the generous donations of current students.
19844 James Monroe Highway
Leesburg, VA 20175
phone: 703-779-8082
toll-free: 866-433-ESHA (3742)
fax: 703-779-8062
