This sounds normal to me.
My grandchildren rode at a RS where everyone went into group lessons that didnt cost a lot.
The first group the children were led round. When they could ride without a person leading the horse they moved up to class 2.
When they could ride rising trot and were ready to canter, each child was asked to take a private lesson, just like you.
When a person rides canter for the first time it is best if they are in a private lesson without other students.With a teacher taking care of you on your own, you get the idea of canter and feel safe. and your horse cannot upset other horses if it isnt entirely under control.
If you havent enough money, the best thing is to save up enough money for the private canter lesson by missing one or two group lessons.
After having their first canter in a private lesson, most of the children then, moved into Class 3. But at that school you cant move up into class 3 (where they walk trot and canter) until you have had your first canter in a lesson on your own.
This may sound strange to people in the country or who learned to ride with more money for lessons. But the idea here in London is to let as many people as possible learn to ride. It can indeed take years carthorse for some children to mas
ter canter, but as they get older they earn (group) lessons by working on the yard at weekends. The kids learn to handle horses (some go on to do the BHS Exams) and those quickest to master canter dont necessarilly end up the best riders.