10/30/2025
🟤🐴 ANNOUNCING THE BUCKLEY FARMS WESTERN PERFORMANCE PATHWAY🐴🟤
From the ranch to cattle pen to the reining fence — progress with purpose.
There’s a new way to ride at Buckley Farms — one built on structure, confidence, and purpose. We’re proud to introduce the Buckley Farms Western Performance Pathway, a tiered, six-level riding curriculum designed to guide riders from foundational horsemanship to advanced performance in the western disciplines of Ranch Horse, Cutting, Cowhorse, and Reining.
This isn’t just another riding lesson program — it’s a roadmap for riders who want to learn the art and the athleticism of true western performance horsemanship.
Register today --> https://form.jotform.com/etxstockhorse/buckley-farms-performance-pathway
🌾 What Is the Western Performance Pathway?
The Pathway is a level-based curriculum designed to teach not only how to ride, but how to truly train, think, and compete like a horseman.
Each level combines:
🔹Unmounted horsemanship — ground skills, horse care, safety, tack knowledge
🔹Mounted riding — balance, feel, control, and technical discipline work
🔹Progress milestones — checklists, instructor evaluations, and certificates
🔹Clear advancement — no guessing where you stand; every rider knows their next goal
From Level 1: Foundations of the Western Rider through Level 6: Elite Competitor & Mentor Track, riders progress step-by-step, gaining confidence, knowledge, and precision in their craft.
🐎 The Six Levels
1️⃣ Foundations – Safety, tack, confidence, and control
2️⃣ Basics of Western Performance – Transitions, circles, and discipline exposure
3️⃣ Intermediate Discipline Skills – Rein work, cattle movement, and precision patterns
4️⃣ Advanced Discipline Skills – Competitive maneuvers and full pattern work
5️⃣ Performance Prep & Show Readiness – Mock shows, competition strategy, and polish
6️⃣ Elite Competitor / Mentor Track – Leadership, cross-discipline mastery, and mentoring younger riders
Each level builds toward readiness for ranch horse versatility, reining, cowhorse, and cutting competitions, with structured lessons that make progress visible and achievable.
🔵Implementation & Logistics🔵
✅Curriculum Packets: At each level, riders receive a packet with skills list (unmounted and mounted), expectations, and next-level preview.
✅Testing Days: Quarterly “Level Test Days” where riders demonstrate mastery and earn their certificate/patch.
✅Progress Tracking: Rider binder with sticker/patch system, instructor sign-off on each skill.
✅Discipline Streams & Flexibility: While core progression is uniform, after Level 3 riders choose primary discipline focus (ranch horse, cutting, cowhorse, reining), but still cross-train.
✅Parent/Guardian Communication: Clear posted curriculum and skill-map so parents know what their rider is working on and why they aren’t just “doing the same thing every week”.
✅Unmounted Lessons Integration: If weather/horse availability interferes, ground-based lessons count toward progress and aren’t treated as “make-up only”.
✅Recognitions & Celebrations: At each level promotion, photo with patch/certificate, social media recognition, small prize (e.g., custom Buckley Farms badge).
✅ Instructor Training: Instructors follow the same curriculum map, know exactly what each level covers, making substituting instructors seamless.
🧾 Semester-Based, Pay-Ahead Enrollment 🧾
For this program, beginning January 2026, Buckley Farms will transition to a semester-based, pay-ahead program — a model now being embraced across the equestrian world.
💡 What this means:
You’ll register for a semester (Spring, Summer, Fall), paying tuition up front — just like youth sports, dance, or music programs.
Your lesson time is reserved for the entire term, creating consistency for both you and your horse.
Make-ups are limited but structured, so schedules stay reliable.
Our horses benefit from consistent work, and riders benefit from consistent instruction and measurable growth.
🎓 Why It Matters
We’re raising the bar for what a western riding program can be — professional, structured, and purpose-driven.
With the Western Performance Pathway, you’ll:
✅ Learn true horsemanship, not just “ride a horse.”
✅ Build measurable skills through every level.
✅ Earn recognition and certifications along the way.
✅ Develop discipline-specific confidence in ranch, reining, cowhorse, and cutting.
✅ Train in an environment that mirrors real-world western performance competition.
✅ Socialize with other riders and benefit from a community of likeminded equestrians.
📣 Enrollment Is Open now for Spring Semester --> https://form.jotform.com/etxstockhorse/buckley-farms-performance-pathway
🔸Current Riders: You’ll be placed into your starting Level this winter.
🔸 New Riders: Begin at Level 1 – Foundations of the Western Rider.
🔸Semester Registration: Opens December 1, 2025 for Spring 2026.
Spaces are limited to ensure high-quality instruction and care for our horses.
📍 Location: Buckley Farms LLC — Anna, Texas
📅 Spring Semester: January 8 – May 30, 2026
📞 Message us today to reserve your slot or request the full Pathway packet.
🐴 “From the Ranch to cattle pen to the Reining Fence — Progress with Purpose.”
