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Stage 4 Senior Coaching Dressage Syllabus

  • Last reviewed: 25th September 2024

Stage 4 Senior Coaching Dressage

Learning Outcomes Table
Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria Guidance on the Content to be Learnt During Training and Sampled During Assessment Assessment Method
1. Understand how to coach 1.1 Explain techniques used in coaching Coaching techniques:
  • Behaviour management
  • Mentoring
  • Methods of evaluating performance
  • Motivational techniques
  • Profiling
  • Goal setting
  • Annual development plan
Trainer endorsement*
1.2 Explain factors which impact on coaching approaches Factors:
  • Learning styles
  • Personalities
  • Challenges, learner’s mind set
  • Equality, diversity and inclusion
  • Environment
  • Long term participant development
Trainer endorsement*
2. Be able to coach safely 2.1 Maintain the health, safety and welfare of self, horses and riders Coaches must risk assess for each coaching lesson to include:
  • Hazards
  • Control measures
Coaches must demonstrate safe coaching in all lessons, including consideration of:
  • Riding area and surfaces
  • Equipment
  • Tack, including balance and suitability of saddle
  • Suitability of horse and exercises
Observation and discussion
3. Be able to communicate effectively whilst coaching 3.1 Demonstrate effective communication skills Effective – relates to each lesson. Communication must be effective in all four coaching lessons. Communication Skills to include:
  • Voice
  • Active listening
  • Mannerisms
  • Body language
  • Clarity of explanation
  • Encouraging and providing feedback
Observation
4. Be able to coach a rider on the lunge 4.1 Explain the benefits for riders of working on the lunge Benefits to include:
  • Rider position
  • Coordination
  • Balance
  • Core stability
  • Develop feel and empathy
Discussion
4.2 Explain the requirements of a lunge horse Requirements to include:
  • Balance
  • Behaviour
  • Way of going
  • Quality and suitability of stride
  • Appropriate for level
Discussion
4.3 Assess the suitability of the horse for lungeing Assessment may include:
  • Walk, trot, canter
  • Work the horse on both reins
  • Use of side reins
  • Suitability for rider
Observation and discussion
4.4 Ensure the horse is lunged using suitable techniques Techniques to include:
  • Warming horse up without rider
  • Assessment of the horse
  • Choice of size of circle
  • Handling of equipment
  • Stance
  • Body language/position/influence
  • Voice/tone of voice
  • Control
Observation
4.5 Assess the rider’s strengths and areas for development Rider to be of Stage 3 level or equivalent competence. Strengths and areas for development to include consideration of:
  • Rider position
  • Balance
  • Coordination
  • Confidence
  • Suitability of horse for rider
Observation and discussion
4.6 Plan the lesson As a result of assessment in 4.5, the coach should:
  • Agree aims of lesson with rider
  • Justify suitable exercises and chosen work to develop the rider
Observation
4.7 Use exercises to improve rider’s position Exercises may be chosen to:
  • Correct positional faults
  • Develop feel and empathy
  • Improve balance (may include; work without stirrups/reins)
  • Improve lower leg security
Observation
4.8 Evaluate the lesson Evaluation to include:
  • Reflection on content of lesson
  • Logical sequence and timing
  • Delivery
  • Feedback
  • Effectiveness of exercises chosen
  • Identify strategies to improve personal performance
Discussion
4.9 Provide a plan for future development A plan for the development of the rider, to include:
  • Detail of strengths and weaknesses of rider
  • Make suggestions for improvement
  • Share action plan including selection of exercises, time frames, goals
Discussion
5. Be able to coach a group of riders using poles 5.1 Assess horse and rider strengths and areas for development Riders to be of Stage 3 level or equivalent competence. Strengths and areas for development to include consideration of:
  • Rider position
  • Balance
  • Coordination
  • Confidence
  • Relationship between horse and rider
Observation and discussion
5.2 Coach to improve horse and rider ability and confidence The session must include the use of poles placed at suitable distances. Must include:
  • Application of the aids
  • Individual correction and development
  • Develop balance and effectiveness of the rider
  • Relevant exercises to develop horse and rider partnership
  • Linking to Training Scale
May include:
  • Positional development
  • Transitions
  • Adjusting stride length
  • School movements
  • Work without stirrups
  • Adapting plan as necessary
Observation
5.3 Evaluate the lesson Evaluation to include:
  • Reflection on content of lesson
  • Logical sequence and timing
  • Delivery
  • Feedback
  • Effectiveness of exercises chosen
  • Identify strategies to improve personal performance
Discussion
5.4 Provide a plan for future development Plan to include:
  • Detail strengths and weaknesses of riders
  • Suggestions for improvement
  • Action plan including selection of exercises, time frames, goals
Discussion
6. Be able to coach a group of riders over fences up to 1m (3ft 3ins) NOT APPLICABLE FOR THIS UNIT
7. Be able to coach a private show jumping lesson in preparation for a 1.10m (3ft 7ins) competition NOT APPLICABLE FOR THIS UNIT
8. Be able to coach a semi private lesson using grid work or related fences up to 1m (3ft 3ins) NOT APPLICABLE FOR THIS UNIT
9. Be able to coach a private dressage lesson at Elementary level 9.1 Assess the horse and rider strengths and areas for development Strengths and areas for development to include consideration of:
  • Rider’s under pinning knowledge
  • Rider position and effectiveness
  • Balance
  • Coordination
  • Confidence
  • Relationship between horse and rider
Observation and discussion
9.2 Coach to improve horse and rider ability and confidence To include:
  • Correction and development
  • Positional development
  • Develop balance and effectiveness of the rider
  • Application of the aids
  • Adapting plan as necessary
  • Linking to Training Scale
Observation
9.3 Use exercises to improve rider and horse performance Exercises may include:
  • Simple changes
  • Develop medium paces
  • Developing turn about/on the forehand
  • Rein back
  • Shoulder fore/in
  • Turn about the haunches/pirouettes in walk
  • Direct transitions
  • Counter canter
Observation
9.4 Evaluate the lesson Evaluation to include:
  • Reflection on content of lesson
  • Logical sequence and timing
  • Delivery
  • Feedback
  • Effectiveness of exercises chosen
  • Identify strategies to improve personal performance
Discussion
9.5 Provide a plan for future development Plan for the development of the rider to include:
  • Detail of strengths and weakness of rider
  • Suggestions for improvement
  • Action plan including selection of exercises, time frames, goals
Discussion
10. Be able to coach a semi private arena eventing lesson over fences up to 1.10m (3ft 7ins) NOT APPLICABLE FOR THIS UNIT
11. Be able to coach a semi private dressage lesson at Novice Level 11.1 Assess horse and rider strengths and areas for development Riders to be of Stage 3 level or equivalent competence. Strengths and areas for development to include consideration of:
  • Rider’s underpinning knowledge
  • Rider position
  • Balance
  • Coordination
  • Confidence
  • Relationship between horse and rider
Observation and discussion
11.2 Coach to improve the horses and riders’ ability and confidence To include:
  • Individual correction and development
  • Application of the aids
  • Adapting plans as necessary
  • Linking to Training Scale
Observation
11.3 Use exercises to improve horse and rider performances Exercises may include:
  • Leg yield
  • Transitions
  • Adjusting stride length
  • School movements
  • Trot on a loose rein
Observation
11.4 Evaluate the lesson May include:
  • Reflect on content of lesson
  • Logical sequence and timing
  • Delivery
  • Feedback
  • Effectiveness of exercises chosen
  • Identify strategies to improve personal performance
Discussion
11.5 Provide a plan for future development Plan for the development of the rider to include:
  • Detail strengths and weaknesses of riders
  • Suggestions for improvement
  • Action plan including selection of exercises, time frames, goals
Discussion