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Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Eventing Syllabus

  • Last reviewed: 25th September 2024

Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Eventing

Learning Outcomes Table
Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria Guidance on the Content to be Learnt During Training and Sampled During Assessment Assessment Method
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
Trainer endorsement*
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
Trainer endorsement*
1.3 Explain the Training Scale Training Scale:
  • Rhythm
  • Suppleness/relaxation
  • Contact
  • Impulsion
  • Straightness
  • Collection
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
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
Trainer endorsement*
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
Trainer endorsement*
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
Trainer endorsement*
3.4 Describe variations within the pace Variations to include:
  • The four variations within each pace
Trainer endorsement*
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
Trainer endorsement*
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
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
Trainer endorsement*
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
Trainer endorsement*
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
Trainer endorsement*
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
Trainer endorsement*
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
Trainer endorsement*
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
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
Observation
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
Observation and discussion
5.3 Use exercises to develop the horse Exercises may include:
  • Dressage movements to Elementary level
  • Transitions within paces
  • Direct transitions
  • Lateral work
Observation
5.4 Evaluate the effectiveness of the exercises carried out To include:
  • Reasoning for the selection of the work
  • Effectiveness of the work
Observation and discussion
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
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
Observation
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
Observation and discussion
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
Observation
6.4 Evaluate the effectiveness of the exercises To include:
  • Reasoning for the selection of the work
  • Effectiveness of the work
Observation and discussion
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
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
Observation and discussion
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
Observation
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
Observation and discussion
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
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
Observation and discussion
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
Observation
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
Observation and discussion
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)
Discussion