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SEPTEMBER 2025
Issue 21
I hope you enjoy our September newsletter.
Fall has arrived—bringing cooler temperatures, a fresh
start to the season, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate the progress we’ve made together. Just like
harvest time, it’s a chance to showcase the results of all the hard work put in throughout the year. Here’s to a
season of growth, achievement, and celebrating every rider’s journey.
Robin
WHAT'S COMING
SEPTEMBER 14
Greenbriar Schooling Show
SEPTEMBER 19 - 21
Show Team Championship Series
Please note that Horsemanship Days for September are on Saturdays!
A LOOK BACK AT LEVEL UP WEEK!
What a wonderful way to wrap up summer! From our Open House full of new faces, to a fun-filled cookout with cowboy games, and finally celebrating growth during Level Up Week, this season has been one to remember. Thank you to everyone who joined us—we can’t wait to see where the next season takes us!
On Your Way to Becoming a Well-Rounded Horseman
At Greenbriar, we believe riding is about more than just time in the saddle—it’s about truly knowing and understanding horses as living, thinking partners. Some of our students go the extra mile: they groom with care, ask thoughtful questions, and practice their horsemanship both in and out of lessons. That dedication shows in their progress!
Where do you see yourself on this journey? Are you simply enjoying your weekly ride, or are you ready to take the next step toward becoming a well-rounded horseperson?
The Horse Sense Learning Levels are here to guide you. They help you see what you’ve accomplished and what’s still ahead. Talk with your instructor—ask where you are on the Levels, and what skills you can work on next. Every box you check off represents growth, confidence, and deeper connection with the horse you ride.
Your progress is in your hands, and the rewards—better rides, stronger partnerships, and more confidence—are well worth the effort.
Looking for helpful resources? Check out Quizlet!
GET YOUR STUDY ON!
Ready to level up? Study with the HorseSense Learning Levels in Quizlet.
Play games, flip through flashcards, and use practice tests to gain more horsemanship knowledge outside of the barn!
Learn Your Dressage Letters - Equine Skeletal System - And More!
Share your experience with us!
What would you like to accomplish in the saddle?
What has connecting with horses done for you?
We'd love to hear about YOUR love for Greenbriar!
Showing at Greenbriar
One of the best parts of being an instructor at Greenbriar is witnessing so many rider “firsts.” The first grooming session, the first squeeze that makes a horse move forward, the first canter—and the first horse show. Our shows are designed to be first-time friendly, giving every rider the chance to take that exciting step with confidence.
We’re excited to announce that our Pattern Horse Shows are right around the corner—September 14th and October 18th! We hold two shows close together because repetition builds mastery. These in-house schooling shows let riders experience the fun (and those little butterflies) of competition in a safe, supportive environment.
How judging works:
The judge scores each movement from 0–10; for example, a turn down center line or a 20 meter circle. These scores are totaled, averaged, and presented as a percentage—giving riders clear, valuable feedback about both their performance and their horse’s progress.
How to prepare:
Class Selection: Instructors help each student choose the right class or classes and pair them with an appropriate horse or pony.
Memorizing the Test: Riders learn their pattern, so they KNOW where they’re going in the arena.
Practice Rides: Students prepare with 20-minute private practice rides, focusing intensively on their test. If a rider needs help getting their horse ready, an assistant will be available. We recommend at least one practice ride before show day.
At the end of the day, horse shows aren’t just about ribbons. They’re about walking into the arena, taking a deep breath, and realizing how much you and your horse have grown together.
Scoring Scale for Movements
10 - Excellent: The movement is performed with exceptional quality, demonstrating perfect execution, harmony, and expression.
9 - Very Good: The movement is executed with high quality, showing finesse and precision, with all aspects of the movement clearly defined.
8 - Good: The movement is well-executed, satisfying the requirements and showing good balance and impulsion.
7 - Fairly Good: The movement is basically correct but may lack some consistency, suppleness, or impulsion.
6 - Satisfactory: The movement is adequately performed but may lack some clarity or precision.
5 - Marginal: The movement is barely acceptable, showing some flaws in execution.
4 - Insufficient: The movement is incomplete or significantly flawed.
3 - Fairly Bad: The movement is poorly executed with noticeable errors.
2 - Bad: The movement is executed with major flaws and lacks basic correctness.
1 - Very Bad: The movement is executed very poorly with significant errors.
0 - Not Performed: The movement was not attempted or was interrupted before completion.
Horse Training Classes
Want to build a stronger connection with your horse?
Interested in being a horse trainer?
Curious about learning how horses think?
Not seeing eye to eye with your horse?
This program is for you! Join us for hands-on learning and gain valuable knowledge about how horses think and how we can effectively work with them. Over the last couple of months Geline has shaped her vision for the future of this program and we hope to see that vision come to life with YOU!
MONDAYS
6PM
TUESDAYS
4PM
FRIDAYS
2PM
It will require at least four people enrolled to hold two classes per week, so be sure to sign up! To enroll, please contact your instructor or book a drop-in session below.
Horse Lover - Barn Buddy Program
Please not that there will not be a Barn Buddies this month due to the horse show. See you in October!
OUR MAILING ADDRESS
Greenbriar Riding Academy
PO Box 435 - Springville, IA, 52336
United States
+1 319-854-7115