Stage 4 Unit 4 Senior Ride for Training Eventing Syllabus

Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Eventing

*Where the assessment method states ‘trainer endorsement’, the criteria is required to be signed off in the Skills Record prior to the assessment day. On the assessment day, the learner will be assessed in detail on one or more assessment criteria through a ‘viva’ process with the assessor to clarify competence.

If a learner fails the ‘viva’ assessment, they’ll be required to be reassessed against the full Learning Outcome and assessment criteria.

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

Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Eventing Syllabus

Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Eventing