1. Understand the training of young horses |
1.1 Explain a range of methods of training horses from birth to riding away |
Range = 3 or more. Methods to include:
- Learning theory
- Appropriate introduction of equipment and tack
- Leading in hand
- Lungeing
- Long reining
- Initial backing process
- Using assistance
- Field and stable care
- In hand showing
- Young horse evaluations
- Travelling
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Trainer endorsement* |
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1.2 Explain the training of young horses |
May include:
- Directional control
- Moving forward
- Transitions
- Responding to the leg and rein aids
- Rhythm
- Bend/straightness
- Hacking out
- Variation of training
- Rest periods and down time
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Trainer endorsement* |
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1.3 Explain the Training Scale |
Training Scale:
- Rhythm
- Suppleness/relaxation
- Contact
- Impulsion
- Straightness
- Collection
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Trainer endorsement* |
2. Be able to ride safely |
2.1 Maintain health, safety and welfare of horse, self and others |
To include:
- Ride with consideration for other users of the school space
- Consideration of individual horses
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Observation |
3. Understand how to progress the training of a dressage horse |
3.1 Describe the requirements of dressage tests from Intro to Elementary |
Requirements to include:
- Content at each level
- Progression route
- Variations in tack and equipment
- Different competition opportunities
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Trainer endorsement* |
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3.2 Analyse the effect of a range of school movements on a dressage horse’s performance |
Range = 2 or more. School movements to include:
- Turn about/on the forehand
- Leg yield
- Shoulder fore/in
- Pirouettes in walk
- Counter canter
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Trainer endorsement* |
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3.3 Explain potential problems in the horse’s way of going and methods to overcome them |
Potential problems to include:
- Irregular paces
- Loss of balance, rhythm
- Lack of acceptance of contact
- Stiffness on either rein
Methods to overcome to include consideration of:
- Choice of work
- Choice of exercises
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Trainer endorsement* |
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3.4 Describe variations within the pace |
Variations to include:
- The four variations within each pace
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Trainer endorsement* |
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3.5 Analyse the effect of transitions on a dressage horse’s performance |
Effect of transitions to include:
- Developing the half halt
- Transitions between paces
- Transitions within the pace
- Direct transitions for example; walk to canter
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Trainer endorsement* |
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3.6 Plan a work schedule for a dressage horse |
Work schedule to include:
- Short (one month) and medium term (six months)
- Fitness work for dressage horses
- Cantering outside
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Trainer endorsement* |
4. Understand how to progress the training of a show jumping horse |
4.1 Describe the requirements of different show jumping categories/levels |
Requirements to include:
- Content at each level (types of jumps, height and distances)
- Progression route
- Variations in tack and equipment
- Different competition opportunities
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Trainer endorsement* |
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4.2 Outline a training programme for introducing a horse to jumping |
Training programme to include:
- Understand relevance of the Training Scale
- Use of poles; individual, trot, canter, placing
- Introduce a fence following the pole exercise
- Ability to ride on all surfaces including grass
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Trainer endorsement* |
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4.3 Explain potential problems and suggest methods to overcome them |
Potential problems may include:
- Irregular paces
- Loss of balance, rhythm
- Inappropriate speed
- Lack of adjustability between obstacles
- Poor quality of turns and approach to fences
Methods to overcome to include consideration of:
- Choice of work
- Choice of exercises
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Trainer endorsement* |
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4.4 Evaluate the value of grid work |
May include:
- Development of the horse’s jumping skills
- Improving straightness
- Regulating length of stride
- Building confidence
- Improving technique
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Trainer endorsement* |
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4.5 Plan a training schedule to progress a horse to show jumping 1.10m |
Training schedule to include:
- Pole exercises
- Grid exercises
- Introduction of canter poles
- Further improvement of the horse’s way of going on the flat
- Referenced to the Training Scale
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Trainer endorsement* |
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4.6 Explain factors that influence the distances between fences |
Factors to include:
- Trot and canter approaches
- Dealing with different length of stride
- Reasons and needs for shorter and variable schooling distances
- Competition rules
- Terrain, for example; grass/surface, uphill/downhill, distance to/from a corner, going
- Knowledge of jump distances
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Trainer endorsement* |
5. Be able to ride a trained horse in a double bridle to develop its way of going |
5.1 Ride in an influential balanced position |
Influential balanced position to include:
- Showing a secure balanced position whilst maintaining integrity of the aids
- Riding forwards to a receiving rein aid with rhythm, bend and straightness within a working frame appropriate to the horse’s level of training
- Demonstrate empathy and feel
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Observation |
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5.2 Evaluate the horse’s way of going in line with the Training Scale |
Evaluation with reference to the Training Scale. Way of going to include:
- Pace
- Balance
- Gymnastic ability
- Attitude/rideability
- Technique
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Observation and discussion |
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5.3 Use exercises to develop the horse |
Exercises may include:
- Dressage movements to Elementary level
- Transitions within paces
- Direct transitions
- Lateral work
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Observation |
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5.4 Evaluate the effectiveness of the exercises carried out |
To include:
- Reasoning for the selection of the work
- Effectiveness of the work
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Observation and discussion |
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5.5 Justify a plan of work to develop the horse's training |
Plan to include:
- Future possible work; short term (one month), medium term (six months)
- Use of alternative work programmes which may include lungeing, hacking and outside work
- Progression towards Medium level work
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Discussion |
6. Be able to ride an inexperienced dressage horse with a view to developing its way of going |
6.1 Ride in an influential balanced position |
Influential balanced position to include:
- Showing a secure balanced position whilst maintaining integrity of the aids
- Riding forwards to a receiving rein aid with rhythm, bend and straightness within a working frame appropriate to the horse’s level of training
- Demonstrate empathy and feel
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Observation |
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6.2 Evaluate the horse’s way of going in line with the Training Scale |
Evaluation with reference to the Training Scale. Way of going to include:
- Pace
- Balance
- Attitude/rideability
- Technique
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Observation and discussion |
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6.3 Use exercises to develop the horse’s responsiveness to the aids |
Exercises may include:
- Transitions
- School figures
- Lateral work
- Lengthening and shortening stride
Making reference to:
- Suppleness
- Impulsion
- Straightness
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Observation |
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6.4 Evaluate the effectiveness of the exercises |
To include:
- Reasoning for the selection of the work
- Effectiveness of the work
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Observation and discussion |
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6.5 Justify a plan of work to develop the horse's training |
Plan to include:
- Future possible work; short term (one month), medium term (six months)
- Use of alternative work programmes which may include lungeing, hacking and outside work
- Alternative venues
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Discussion |
7. Be able to ride an experienced horse over show jumps up to 1.10m (3ft 7ins) with a view to developing its way of going |
7.1 Evaluate the horse in preparation for show jumping |
A progressive assessment of the horse may include:
- Assess horse in all paces
- Change pace between fences
- Responsiveness to aids
- The ability to influence the canter
- Horse’s balance through turns and corners
- Jumping skill, identify horse’s strengths/weaknesses
- Jumping from trot and canter
- Use of a placing pole
- Relating fences
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Observation and discussion |
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7.2 Ride the horse over a range of fences |
To include:
- Relate fences to show understanding of training and the process for jumping a course
- Show influence, control and confidence
- Show a balanced, secure and influential position that has a positive effect
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Observation |
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7.3 Evaluate the work undertaken |
To include:
- Paces, forwardness, attitude
- Softer/stiffer side
- Ease of movement
- Quality of jump
- Stronger and weaker movements
- Response to the aids
- Reference to the Training Scale
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Observation and discussion |
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7.4 Justify a plan of work to develop the horse's training |
Plan to include:
- Future possible work; short term (one month) and medium term (six months)
- Use of grids and gymnastic exercises to improve the horse’s technique
- Use of alternative work programmes which may include lungeing, hacking and outside work
- Flatwork exercises
- Progression towards jumping 1.15m
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Discussion |
8. Be able to ride a horse cross country over fences up to 1m (3ft 3ins) with a view to developing its way of going |
8.1 Evaluate the horse in preparation for cross country |
Evaluation to include:
- The horse’s way of going in all paces
- Change of pace between fences
- The horse’s responsiveness to the aids
- Ability to influence the canter
- Horse’s balance through turns and corners
- Horse’s jumping skill (strengths/weaknesses)
- Moving the horse faster
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Observation and discussion |
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8.2 Ride the horse over a range of cross country fences |
To include:
- A progressive assessment
- Jump independent fences
- Relate fences to show understanding of training and the process for jumping a course
- Show influence, control and confidence
- Show a balanced, secure and influential position that has a positive effect
Range to include at least 3 of the following:
- Angles
- Corners, skinnies, arrowheads
- Ditch
- Steps, drops
- Water
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Observation |
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8.3 Evaluate the work undertaken |
Evaluation to include:
- Paces, forwardness, attitude
- Rhythm, bend, straightness, outline
- Softer/stiffer side
- Ease of movement
- Quality of jump
- Response to the aids
- Reference to Training Scale
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Observation and discussion |
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8.4 Justify a plan of work to develop the horse's training and confidence |
Plan to include:
- Future possible work, short term (one month), medium term (six months)
- Use of grids and gymnastic exercises to improve the horse’s technique
- Use of alternative work programmes which may include lungeing, hacking and outside work
- Flatwork exercises
- Progression to Novice level eventing (to include introducing different types of cross country fences used in this level of competition)
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Discussion |