As an instructor, I agree--for the most part--with everything thusly stated. However, also as an instructor, I've gotta give my two cents: It is the instructor's sole responsibility to decide at which point in the rider's development it is appropriate to place the rider in a group situation--no matter the age. You must remember, as said in Step 2, that in a group, the instructor must divide his or her attention (hopefully equally) among his/her students. The individual students must be at a point in their development as independent riders to be able to manage themselves (meaning their horses) for several minutes at a time (without assistance) and be able to concentrate on points the instructor has given them to work on. Too many free-willed horses matched with too few skilled riders in one area can become a very dangerous situation very quickly.
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Actually, if you're looking to learn the basics of horse back riding, ask around, watch a few lessons of several styles, determine what you like. However, know this: Do not go into this wonderful activity with preconceived notions of individuals who have had time to decide for themselves. The decision is yours and yours alone: all styles have both competition and leisure to offer. When it comes to English or Western, don't listen to the preconceived notion that, "Western riding is designed for people to find comfort on a horse from sun-up to sun-down...quite different from English," to quote an earlier comment by stayinthesaddle. While this person most certainly has a right to their own opinion, both styles offer a wide array of recreation--whether it be 'comfort on a horse from sun-up to sun-down' or strict competition (of which both respected styles have more than their share)
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Novice
