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  • Careers and Qualifications

Stage 2 Ride Syllabus

  • Last reviewed: 20th October 2025

Stage 2 Ride

Learning Outcome Assessment
Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria Guidance on the content to be learnt during training and sampled during assessment Assessment Method
1. Understand how to ride a horse 1.1 Describe a horse’s way of going using the Training Scale Way of going to include:
  • Walk, trot and canter
  • Temperament of horse
  • Responsiveness to aids
  • Willingness to go forward
Training Scale to include:
  • Rhythm, suppleness and contact
  • Awareness of impulsion, straightness collection
Discussion
1.2 Explain how a range of aids are used when riding a horse Range = 2 or more. Aids to include:
  • Seat
  • Legs
  • Hands
  • Riding position
  • Voice
  • Whip
Discussion
LEARNERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO RIDE TWO HORSES IN THIS SECTION
2. Be able to ride horses in an arena 2.1 Ride in a balanced position in all paces Ride to include:
  • With and without stirrups
  • In walk, trot and canter
Balanced position to include independent use of:
  • Seat
  • Legs
  • Upper body
  • Head
  • Arms
  • Hands
Observation
2.2 Ride on the correct trot diagonal Correct trot diagonal:
  • Sit when horse’s outside shoulder comes back
  • Diagonal changed as required
Observation
2.3 Ride on the correct canter lead Correct canter lead:
  • Canter lead matches the direction of travel
Observation
2.4 Ride a range of common school figures Range = 2 or more. School figures to include:
  • Serpentine – three loop
  • Circles
  • Changes of direction (different variations)
  • Turns
Observation
2.5 Ride with the reins in one hand Riding to include:
  • With stirrups
  • Change of direction and pace
Observation
2.6 Demonstrate the correct use of aids Use of aids to include:
  • Positioning and use of legs, hands, whip
  • Awareness of horse’s reaction
Observation
2.7 Demonstrate the correct use of a schooling whip Correct use to include:
  • Holding whip
  • Changing whip from one hand to another
  • Reinforcing the leg aid if required
Observation
2.8 Ride safely Riding safely to include:
  • Use sympathetic aids riding walk, trot, canter
  • Awareness of other users of the school
  • Show respect and consideration for the horse and other riders
Observation
2.9 Review the session Review to include:
  • The horse’s way of going
  • Awareness of other riders
  • Use of aids
Discussion
LEARNERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO RIDE TWO HORSES IN THIS SECTION
3. Be able to ride horses over show jumps 3.1 Prepare the horse to jump and ride in a balanced position in all paces Prepare to include:
  • Shortening stirrups
  • Canter in light seat position with a secure lower leg
  • Ride the canter pace forward and back
  • Single cross pole in trot with placing pole
  • Canter to cross pole
  • Canter to upright
  • Canter to ascending spread
  • Jumping four consecutive fences
Ride to include:
  • In walk, trot and canter
Balanced position to include independent use of:
  • Seat
  • Legs
  • Upper body
  • Head
  • Arms
  • Hands
Observation
3.2 Ride over a course of jumps in a balanced position Course of jumps to include:
  • Up to seven fences to a maximum height of 75cm
  • Lines and track between fences
Balanced position:
  • Over and between fences
Observation
3.3 Ride safely Riding safely to include:
  • Use sympathetic aids riding walk, trot, canter
  • Awareness of other users of the school
  • Show respect and consideration for the horse and other riders
Observation
3.4 Review the session Review to include:
  • Use of aids
  • Lines ridden
  • The horse’s way of going
  • Awareness of other riders
Discussion