Examinations: Levels 1,2 and 3

Examination Criteria
at International Levels 1, 2 & 3

These guidelines are for use by federations wishing to develop equestrian instructor qualifications in line with the agreed IGEQ matrices, which set out the minimum requirements and guidelines for examinations for riding, driving, vaulting and therapeutic instructor qualifications at 3 levels (including stable management and teaching )
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INTERNATIONAL LEVEL 1.

RIDING - Dressage:
Candidates should ride two horses. They should be capable of maintaining the level of the horse’s work which should be of a good basic standard of training. They must be able to show:

An established and correct basic riding position in all three gaits.
An ability to ride the horses into a submissive connection between leg and hand (according to the ability of the horse)
An ability to maintain their basic balance and co-ordination in all three gaits with and without stirrups and through a range of basic school figures and exercises to include transitions (from gait to gait and within the gait) turns on or about the forehand and leg yielding.
An ability to ride with effect and influence to demonstrate the best way of going of the horse’s they ride.
To be able to describe how they felt about the way of going of the horse’s and show understanding of the basic scales of training in their discussion.

Jumping:
Candidates should jump two horses. One horse over show jump type fences and one horse over cross-country type fences. They must be able to show:

A secure balanced jumping position over show jumps and across country over fences up to approximately 1 metre in height.
The ability to regulate speed and gait according to the conditions and the way of going of the horses.
The ability to show some judgment of balance and stride both towards a fence and between fences.
The ability to ride with confidence and effect over a small course of fences both show jumping and across country.
The ability to talk clearly about the way of going of the horses and to show understanding of the basic principles of the correct way of going of the jumping horse.

STABLE MANAGEMENT
The candidate will be examined in practical tasks and in oral discussion.
They must be able to demonstrate and discuss:

Practical tasks:

Grooming.
Correct fit and appropriate tack for competition work.
Correct application of boots and bandages for competition work.
Loading a horse for traveling.
Assessing the action and soundness of a horse.
Assessing the condition of the horse’s feet and shoes.

In discussion:

Horse health and management of the sick horse.
Fitness and maintaining condition.
Understanding of the principles of nutrition in respect of feeding different types of horses. (old, young, ill, fit)
Basic physiology including the horse’s respiration and circulation.
Basic care and management of pasture.
Basic knowledge of stable design.

LUNGEING - lunge a horse for exercise.

TEACHING.

Understand the rules regulating equestrian sport
Understand the FEI rules for the welfare of horses.
Understand the importance of safety of horse and rider equipment prior to teaching and in lessons.
Understand the suitability of horses for pupils.
Understand the maintenance of an accident register.
Ability to teach the correct basic seat for work on the flat and for jumping.
Ability to teach an individual or groups on the flat and jumping.
Motivate riders and plan lessons.
Understand fitness of horse and rider relevant to teaching practice.
Understand the factors that affect learning of horse and rider.
Demonstrate good communication skills.

In practice the candidate must be able to demonstrate the ability to teach, either an individual rider or a group of riders, the basic principles of correct riding on the flat and over small jumps. They must be able to show in their teaching a clear understanding of the basic principles of correct rider position and way of going of the horse, and an ability to convey this knowledge to their pupil(s). They must be able to teach to Novice dressage level and jumping to a level of approximately 2’6” (0.8m)

They must be able to discuss various principles of basic good teaching practice.

INTERNATIONAL LEVEL 2.

RIDING - Dressage.
The candidates will ride two horses on the flat and be able to:

Demonstrate a secure, well established, effective, supple position in all three gaits.
Demonstrate the ability to ride with feel and knowledge to assess the horses and then develop their work with regard for any basic faults in the way of going.
Demonstrate the confidence to work constructively to improve aspects of the horse’s way of going.
If appropriate demonstrate work to include shortening and lengthening of stride within the gait, transitions in all three gaits, the development of lateral work to include shoulder in. Show counter canter and simple changes and the development of walk pirouettes.
Be able to discuss the way of going of the horses showing understanding of the scales of training.

Jumping
The candidates will ride two horses, one over show jumps and one over cross-country fences. They must demonstrate:

An ability to ride with balance and effect over fences.
An ability to show judgment of pace and stride both show jumping and across country.
Knowledge and effect in dealing with any problems that may arise.
Knowledge and understanding of the correct training principles of the jumping horse.

LUNGEING
An ability and confidence to effectively lunge a horse to assess its way of going and then work to improve it, with an ability to use poles if required.

STABLE MANAGEMENT
The candidate will demonstrate in practical tasks and oral discussion their ability in the following:

Practical:

Fitting tack for all aspects of competition.
Applying specialist bandaging for both work and injury.
Assessing the conformation and action of the horse.
Assessing the soundness of the horse.
Assessing the good and bad aspects of stable yard design.

In discussion:

Fitness of horses for work including evening, schoolwork and endurance.
Care and management of pasture.
Knowledge of breeding horses.
Physiology of the horse including health and management of problems.
Organising a yard and other members at work.

TEACHING
The candidate must be able to teach an individual or groups of riders to an elementary standard of dressage and jumping. This would include:

All the teaching criteria from Level 1 would be more consolidated.
Teach individuals or groups to an elementary level of dressage.
Work towards the development of lateral work including shoulder in.
Work towards counter canter and simple change.
Work towards walk pirouettes and shortening and lengthening of gaits.
They must demonstrate confidence and familiarity with the use of jumps (to 1m 10) and the appropriate use of distances between fences.
They must show knowledge and understanding of how to vary distances and use distances that help improve the way of going of horse and rider.
Show the ability to train over natural or cross-country type fences.
They must be able to discuss aspects of teaching technique including dealing with problems on the flat and over fences.
Be able to motivate and plan for riders, then assess, appraise and develop appropriate goals giving relevant feed back and praise.

INTERNATIONAL LEVEL 3 -

RIDING.
The candidate will ride and assess three horses. They should be able to demonstrate:

Confidence and the ability to assess each horse and work it to development and improvement.
A secure, deep, effective, position with ability to develop harmony with the horses.
The work should ideally be to medium level but include single flying changes.
The ability to discuss the work they have done and how it affected the horses, clearly showing their knowledge in discussion.

JUMPING.
The candidate will ride one horse over show jumps and one across country. They will show:

Confidence and effect in riding any type of horse.
Good judgment of speed and pace according to conditions.
Good balance, depth, security and harmony in their riding.
The ability to discuss any problems or training issues and what they did about them.

LUNGEING
The candidate will lunge a horse to assess and improve it. They can use poles if they wish to.

STABLE MANAGEMENT
Through practical demonstration and oral discussion, the candidate will show all aspects of yard management. They will demonstrate competence in running a large establishment through a range of practical tasks and oral discussion. These will cover fitness, feeding, breeding, care of pasture, yard management and organisation including basic financial management of a business. They will demonstrate skill in dealing with staff and clients and the possible problems that this involves.

TEACHING

All the teaching criteria from Level 1 and 2 would be more consolidated.
In addition to the previous skills achieved, the coach must demonstrate the ability to train and develop future instructors.
Train individuals and groups to advanced medium dressage level, including the flying change.
Train individuals and groups to 1m 20 show jumping and over fixed or cross country type fences.
Demonstrate a full understanding of the scales of training.
Further develop the fitness of horse and rider relevant to higher levels of competition.
Importance of understanding mental preparation for both horse and rider to enable best performance.
Demonstrate a depth of experience reflecting knowledge for developing varied partnerships, including young horses, young riders and successful competition partnerships.
They will be able to discuss all aspects of teaching horse and rider.
They will have knowledge on subjects such as dressage training, jumping training or training students for a career in the horse industry.