General Membership Information
Transitions Inc. was established on 31st August 1996 to meet the growing need for quality Dressage instruction for Junior and Young Riders at an affordable price.
The club aims to cater for ALL riders from beginners to FEI, from small children to young adults. Any rider, 25 years and under, who can ride independently is welcome to join, in fact Transitions welcomes all riders regardless of their chosen discipline - eventing, show jumping, pony clubers, saddle horse and of course the club’s specialty area, dressage.
The club caters for all sorts of horses, from ponies to warmbloods, young freshly broken 4 year olds to off the track thoroughbreds, to old veterans. You don’t have to have an expensive horse to progress at Transitions. Many of our junior riders have gained a lot of experience on older horses, with the benefit of the experienced instructors, before going on to added success on younger horses that they have “produced”, with the help of the instruction received at Transitions.
There are two or three visiting instructors, all experienced and qualified in teaching riding. Two mounted lessons are given each rally, with no more than four riders in each group, with horses and riders of similar size, age and experience. A lecture is given during the lunch break, mainly by a guest speaker on a variety of subjects, ie saddle fitting, riding with images, nutrition and conditioning, veterinary subjects, equine therapy, etc., or one of our visiting instructors will give a talk on the “theme” we are using that rally.
The season runs from August to May, omitting the very hot months of January and February. During the hottest months we ride early, finishing by 2 pm. We also hold one Official Dressage Day and two Unofficial Dressage Days during the season to practise our dressage skills.
Fees are required to be paid in full, with your membership application. Arrangements can be made with the treasurer if you cannot pay your fees in one payment, BUT they must be paid in full by the November Rally. Our instructors are paid for on the day, regardless of the number of riders attending the rally, and asking for the fees up front is the only way we can afford to offer you top class instruction, with two lessons and no more than four riders in the class. A ground fee is applicable if rallies are held at other venues.
There will be an ATTENDANCE BOOK at the rally. It is your responsibility to sign in before your first lesson and note whether you will be attending the following rally. You will then be assigned to your groups from this information. It is most important that the Rally Coordinator is notified of any changes, particularly details of horses, different or extra, at least one week in advance, to allocate you to the correct groups. Riders are grouped according to their level and their horse's or pony's level, wherever possible, riders are also grouped with riders of a similar age. No lesson times are given out prior to the rally. Riders are expected to be on the grounds in plenty of time to help erect the arenas and warm up their mounts. Group lists, times, arenas and instructors will be posted in front of the clubhouse. A library service is also provided to members. Books may be borrowed on an honour system to be returned at the following rally. These books have all been donated and are for the use of everyone.
