Equestrian Rider: Level 8 : Horse Riding : Kings Equestrian

Teacher

Equestrian Rider: Level 8

Riders at Level 8 are competent with sound English equitation skills and are able to recognize “true” quality of movement. Riders are beginning to ride the horse with impulsion and engagement. They have the ability to achieve consistent bend and straightness as required and can demonstrate the ability to control the outside shoulder. They can demonstrate the achievement of bend by the correct use of the inside leg and outside rein. The horse should be consistently “round” at all paces. They are able to identify basic training problems and offer options for their correction. Over fences, the Rider at Level 8 will jump a medal type course of 2’9 – 3’ (0.85- 0.90m), with confidence and authority. The rider should be able to influence the horse in a positive fashion and improve its way of going. In addition to this there is a flat test and lunging component presented. Written and practical portions also tested at this level. The option continues at Rider Level 8 to take either the full riding component or only the flat component.

Riders at Level 8 are competent riders with sound equitation skills. The riders are able to recognize “true” quality of movement and are beginning to ride the horses with impulsion and engagement. They can achieve consistent bend and straightness as required. The riders can achieve bend by using the inside leg correctly and controlling the outside shoulder. The horses should be consistently “round” at all paces. Some differences in the horses’ outline may be evident due to prior “discipline speciﬁc” training of the horse. The “roundness” however, must be created because the rider is riding correctly from leg to hand.

The riders should be able to identify basic training problems/challenges and offer options for their correction.

Over fences, riders at Level 8 will jump a medal type courses of 2’9(88cm) – 3’(91cm), with conﬁdence and authority. Riders at Level 8 should be able to inﬂuence the horse in a positive fashion and improve its way of going.

Rider 8 – Stable Management Requirements

Turnout for stable management should be neat and workmanlike. Paddock boots, work boots, or riding boots and neat sweat pants or slush pants over breeches are acceptable. Loose, baggy jeans or shirts are not acceptable. Hair should be tied back. Ball caps that cover the eyes are discouraged.

Candidates will be expected to:

Have knowledge of capillary reﬁll time and the test generally used to estimate dehydration
Put on two shipping bandages. Bandages should have even tension, covering from just below the knee down the leg and covering the bulbs of the heels. Knowledge of the proper length of cotton and bandage as well as the bulk of the cotton is needed. The tension should be neither too tight nor too loose. All bandaging materials should be clean and in good repair. The Velcro should end on the outside of the leg near the top of the bandage. If tape is used, the tension must not be greater than the tension of the bandage.
Know about teeth and the aging pattern
Know the symptoms, cause and ﬁrst aid treatment of various illnesses and conditions
Discuss conformation traits and how they may relate to performance and soundness.
Identify a variety of nosebands and their effect
Locate the sites of unsoundnesses and discuss possible causes and treatments of each

Rider 8 – Riding Requirements (Flat)

Turn out at this level should be appropriate to the weather, however it should be immaculate. The horse should be turned out as for competition, braided and clipped or trimmed according to the time of year and as per breed requirements.

Warm-up – The evaluator may ask questions about the rider’s warm-up program to determine if rider has a plan and how he/she feels about the effectiveness of the plan.

Riders will be required to demonstrate:

Position with and without stirrups at all paces
10m circles at canter
Serpentine at canter with simple changes through walk
Lengthening and shortening of stride at the canter.The lengthened stride should show a deﬁnite difference in the length of the canter stride, ideally without an increase in speed. The shortened stride should demonstrate a less ground covering canter but with more actively engaged hindquarters.
Breaking to the trot will be penalised
Leg-yield indicating that the rider is able to coordinate the aids effectively to move the horse sideways while still maintaining the forward intent, rhythm, contact and suppleness. A horse that falls over the outside shoulder or who does not maintain a parallel position in relation to the “line” on which it is moving will lbe penalized. The horse should be straight with the exception of a slight ﬂexion away from the direction in which it is moving.
The half halt as a preparation to balance the horse before a change of direction, speed or pace. The rider should understand how to close both legs, deepen the seat thus encouraging the horse to move forward into a non-allowing The rider must relax and release the contact when the horse responds by shifting its weight to the hindquarters.
An understanding, through discussion, of engagement, impulsion and shoulder-in.

Rider 8 – Riding requirements (Jumping)

Riders will be required to:

Set up a course and gymnastic. Riders must have knowledge of distances and factors affecting distance to be able to set up a course or gymnastic The course should be of a medal type and include:

A combination;
A line of no less than 4 strides;
2 changes of rein;
A roll back turn (fence 3 to 4);
A downward transition

Critique the form of another rider’s horse through the gymnastic. The rider should be able to discuss the horse’s style and technique
Maintain position through a gymnastic with and without stirrups
Add a stride in a line
Demonstrate a “feel” for distance to a fence

Rider 8 – Course

Suggested Courses for Rider 8 Tests

(Evaluators to walk and approve before testing).

NB: If the distance between fence #7 and #8 is set for 4 stri- des the rider must add a ﬁfth stride after trotting fence #7

Rider 8 – Gymnastic

Rider 8 – Flat Test

Number	Markers	Movement	Work Space
1	A	Enter sitting trot
2	G	Halt continue at sitting trot
3	C	Track right
4	B	Turn right
5	X	Circle right 10m
6	X	Circle left 10m
7	E	Turn left
8	K	Canter left
9	F-M	Lengthen stride at canter
10	HXF	Change rein simple change through trot
11	KH	Shorten stride at canter
12	C-A	3 Loop serpentine Simple changes through walk
13	K	Trot sitting continue to E
14	E-B	1/2 20m circle continue to A
15	After A	Turn down quarter line leg yield to wall between E&H
16	M-E	Change rein
17	After A	Turn down quarter line leg yield to wall between B&M
18	E	1/2 10m circle to X
19	X	Continue to G
20	G	Halt. Leave arena on a long rein