Stage 4 Unit 5 Senior Ride for Training Dressage Syllabus

Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Dressage

*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	NOT APPLICABLE FOR THIS UNIT
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 (movements) 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 Gymnastic ability (movements) 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 Progression towards medium level 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	NOT APPLICABLE FOR THIS UNIT
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	NOT APPLICABLE FOR THIS UNIT
9. Be able to ride horses used for training others, with a view to developing their way of going	9.1 Ride in an influential balanced position	Influential balanced position to include: Maintaining 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
	9.2 Evaluate the horses’ way of going in line with the Training Scale	Evaluation with reference to the Training Scale. Way of going to include: Pace Balance Suppleness Attitude/rideability Technique	Observation and discussion
	9.3 Use exercises to develop the horses’ responsiveness to the aids	As part of Unit 5: Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Dressage, exercises may include: Transitions School figures Lateral work Lengthening and shortening stride As part of Unit 6: Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Show Jumping, exercises may include: Related distances Grid work All, making reference to: Suppleness Impulsion Straightness	Observation
	9.4 Use poles to develop the training of the horse	To include: Incorporation of poles into the training Different exercises using poles	Observation
	9.5 Evaluate the effectiveness of the work	To include: Reasoning for the selection of the work Effectiveness of the work	Observation and discussion
	9.6 Justify a plan of work that develops the horses’ 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	Discussion
10. Be able to ride an inexperienced horse over show jumps up to 1m (3ft 3ins) with a view to developing its way of going	NOT APPLICABLE FOR THIS UNIT

Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Dressage Syllabus

Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Dressage