1. Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards Program Overview
This presentation will give an overview of the Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards Program. The Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards are designed to help 4-H members progressively develop horsemanship skills throughout their participation in the Maryland 4-H Horse Project.
Kristen M. Wilson
Extension Horse Specialist
Revised 7/27/11

2. What are the Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards?
Encourage progressive development of skills:
Horse care and management
Horse safety
English and Western Riding
Emphasis on safety and education, not competition
For individuals with or without access to a horse
The Horsemanship Standards Program encourages the progressive development of horse care and management knowledge, horse safety knowledge, and English and Western riding skills. The Horsemanship Standards emphasize safety and education and are not a means of competition. There is no time limit as the 4-Her progresses through the levels, and each 4-Her will progress through the levels at a different rate according to their skill level and available resources. The Horsemanship Standards may be completed by 4-H members with or without access to a horse. The Knowledge Levels are designed to be completed without the need of a horse and incorporate both English and Western Disciplines. However, a horse is needed in order to complete the Riding Levels. 4-Hers may own, borrow, lease, or share a horse for the Riding Levels.

3. Objectives of Program Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards serve as a:
Study guide for members
Tool to evaluate proficiency and progress of 4-H members carrying a horse project
Plan of work for volunteer leaders
Basis for recognition and achievement
The Horsemanship Standards serve as a study guide for 4Hers to expand their knowledge and skills related to horses. They serve as a tool to evaluate the proficiency and progress of a 4Her as they develop their horse project, as a plan of work for volunteer leaders to aid in the education of 4H members, and as a basis for recognition and achievement. As 4H members progress through the levels they will gain confidence in their abilities, empowering them to reach their full potential.

4. Horsemanship Standards
Knowledge
Riding:
Western
English Riding
English Jumping
Consist of 6 levels each
Pass: Meet or exceed standards
The Horsemanship Standards are divided into Knowledge, English Riding, English Riding Jumping, and Western Riding Standards each containing six levels.  The Riding Standards encourage members to become safe, effective and confident riders with a sound knowledge of equipment and tack.  The Knowledge Standards develop proper horse handling and husbandry skills. For each level, 4-Hers are evaluated on their knowledge and ability to perform tasks based upon standard requirements for that level. In order to pass the level and move on to the next, 4-Hers must meet or exceed the standards for that particular level.

5. Knowledge Standards
Emphasizes correct and safe horse handling and management skills
Develop basic health, nutrition, and veterinary knowledge
Requires no use of a horse
The Knowledge Standards emphasize correct and safe horse handling and management skills. They encourage 4-H members to develop basic health, nutrition, and veterinary knowledge. 4-H members are not required to have access to a horse in order to complete the Knowledge Standards and may progress through the levels without any limitations.

6. Knowledge Standards Sections
Handling
Breeds, Conformation, Movement
Grooming and Bandaging
Health Care and Veterinary Knowledge
Nutrition
Stable Management and Safety
Tack and Equipment
Transportation and Travel Safety
The Knowledge Standards require 4-H members to have knowledge about horse handling; breeds, conformation, and movement; grooming and bandaging; health care and veterinary knowledge; nutrition; stable management and safety; tack and equipment; and transportation and travel safety. The Knowledge Standards incorporate both English and Western disciplines.

7. Knowledge Standards Consists of: Written Test
Request copies from County Extension Office
Oral Practicum (hands on) Section
The Knowledge Standards testing will consist of a written test and an oral practicum. Written tests and keys will be provided by the Maryland 4-H State Office to the County Extension Office. Examiners will need to request copies of the written test and key for the level they are performing from their County Extension Office. Written tests are not returned to the 4-H member. The oral practicum section involves the 4-H member answering questions verbally as well as performing hands-on tasks. All materials needed for the Knowledge testing will be provided by the examiner and/or the County Extension Office.

8. Knowledge Standards
Study guides should be used to prepare youth for testings and include all information 4-Hers must know for each level
Knowledge testing sheets include:
Only what needs to be covered orally
Separate section for written test score to be recorded
The Horsemanship Standards manual contains study guides and testing sheets for the Knowledge Levels. The study guides should be used by the 4-Her member and their educators as they prepare for their testing. The study guide contains all the information that the 4-Her will need to know for each level. The knowledge testing sheets are the sheet that will be used to evaluate the 4-H member as they complete their testing for a particular knowledge level. The Knowledge testing sheet includes only the information that will be covered in the oral practicum portion of the testing. All information that is not listed on the testing sheet, but was listed on the study guide sheet will be covered on the written test portion of the testing. There is a separate section for the examiner to write in the written test score on the testing sheet.

9. Knowledge Test Sheet Example
This is an example of the Knowledge Level 1 testing sheet. All information listed on this sheet will be covered orally or through hands-on demonstration. The portion of the test indicated by the circle is the knowledge written test portion. This is the area that will be used by the Examiner to report the 4-H member’s score on the written test and whether they passed the written test or need to retake the written test. If the written test needs to be retaken, the Examiner should also provide comments for the areas the 4-H member needs to study more on as the a copy of the written test is not returned to the 4-H member for them to keep.

10. Riding Levels Encourages Riders to become: Safe Effective Confident
Knowledgeable about Equipment and Tack and Hose Management skills
The Riding Levels of the Horsemanship Standards Program encourages riders to become safe, effective, and confident riders. The riding levels also encourage 4-H members to become knowledgeable about different equipment and tack and horse management skills.

11. Riding Levels Major Sections Include: Horse Management
Riding Courtesy/Turnout
Tack
Riding
Test/Pattern
The Riding Levels are separated by discipline. They are divided into English Riding, English Riding Jumping, and Western Riding Standards. All riding levels require 4-H members to be knowledgeable about horse management; riding courtesy; proper turnout for horse and rider; tack; riding; and riding tests and patterns.

12. Riding Levels – Horse Mgt.
Includes:
Haltering / Leading / Tying a Horse
Grooming
Blanketing
Applying
Protective boots
Stable bandage
Shipping bandage
Lunging
Trailer loading and safety
Taking vital signs
As 4-H members progress through the riding levels, the horse management requirements of the riding levels develop the 4-H member’s knowledge about haltering, leading, and tying a horse; grooming; blanketing; application of protective boots, stable bandages, and shipping bandages; lunging; trailer loading and safety; and taking a horse’s vital signs.

13. Riding Levels
Riding position requirements are to be looked for in each part of the test
Example:
RIDING EXPECTATIONS (Level 1): Throughout the entire testing, candidate demonstrates control while maintaining a safe, balanced position at the walk and trot in both directions.
For each riding level there are specific rider position requirements. Both the 4-Her and the examiner need to look for these requirements for the test they are performing. The 4-H member must maintain and demonstrate the described rider position requirement throughout the entire testing. For example, a 4-H member testing for level 1 of the riding standards, regardless of the discipline testing for, must demonstrate control while maintaining a safe, balanced position at the walk and trot in both directions during the entire testing.

14. Riding Levels Pattern/Test included for all six levels
English Riding – Pattern or Dressage Test
Discussion and re-doing the pattern is allowed as needed
Appendix includes all patterns and diagrams for grid work in English Jumping
For each riding level there is a pattern or test that must be completed by the rider. Candidates testing for the English Riding Levels have the option of performing either a riding pattern or a dressage test. After performing the pattern or test, the rider is to discuss their performance with their examiner and will be allowed to re-do the pattern as deemed necessary by the examiner. All patterns and tests are included in the appendix of the Horsemanship Standards manual. The appendix also includes all patterns and diagrams for the grid work required for the English Riding Jumping Standards.

15. Riding Test Sheet Example
This is an example of the Riding Test Sheet for Western Riding Level 3. The first page contains the horse management portion of the test. This area includes sections of the test such as securing a hay net, application of bandages or boots, blanketing, etc. The second page contains the riding portion of the test. Please note the Riding Expectations section that is indicated by the circle. The described rider position requirements noted in the riding expectations section must be maintained throughout the entire testing. 4-H candidates are evaluated for each movement that they perform and assigned an exceeds standard (ES), meets standard (MS), or does not meet standards (DNMS) for the movement(s) under a particular block. A rider must exceed standards or meet standards for each movement section in order to pass the level in its entirety.

16. General Requirements Candidate must carry a 4-H horse project
4-Her must start out at Level 1
Exception – 4-Hers who have passed any level in the old 4-H Horse and Pony Performance Levels
Levels must be passed in sequential order
Horse may be borrowed or leased for testing
Regardless of whether a 4-H member is testing for the Knowledge or Riding Levels, the 4-Her must carry a 4-H horse project. 4-Hers must start testing at level 1 and then progress upwards through the levels sequentially. 4-Hers who have passed any level in the old 4-H Horse and Pony Performance Levels Program may continue on to the next level within the Horsemanship Standards Program with the understanding that they are responsible to learn any new materials in the Horsemanship Levels that may not have been covered in the old Performance Levels. 4-H members are allowed to borrow, lease, or share a horse for a testing if they do not own a horse.

17. General Requirements Knowledge level may exceed riding level
A 4-Hers Riding Level may not exceed their Knowledge Level by more than one level
Exception: A 4-H member must pass Knowledge Level 2 before their Riding Level can exceed their Knowledge Level 
For Example: A 4-H member who has passed their Knowledge Level 3 can test through Riding Level 4, but before they could take Riding Level 5, they would have to complete Knowledge Level 4
A 4-Her’s knowledge level may exceed their riding level at any time. This allows for 4-H members without horses to progress through all of the knowledge levels without restriction. A 4-Hers riding level may not exceed their knowledge level by more than one level at any time. With the exception that a 4-Hers must pass their knowledge level 2 before their riding level can exceed their knowledge level. For example, a 4-H member who has passed their knowledge level 3 can test for riding level 4, but cannot test for riding level 5 until they pass knowledge level 4.

18. General Requirements
Knowledge and riding level testing must be conducted separately, but can be conducted on same day for only one level
Exception: Levels 1 & 2 may be conducted the same day
Knowledge levels written and oral practicum sections may be administered on different days
Knowledge and riding level testings are conducted as separate tests, but may be conducted on the same day if testing for the same level. For example, a 4-H member may test for riding and knowledge level 3 on the same day. A 4-H member, however, may not test for riding level 3 on the same day they test for their knowledge level 4. The only exception to this rule are for levels 1 and 2 as riding and knowledge tests for both levels may be conducted on the same day.
Knowledge levels 1-4 written and oral practicum portions may be tested for on different days. For example, the written portion of knowledge level 2 may be tested for on one day and the oral practicum for knowledge level 2 may be tested for on a separate day. This allows clubs to hold knowledge level testings at their monthly meetings without being as time consuming.

19. General Requirements
English Riding and Western Riding levels 1 & 2 are very similar. Candidates who passed levels 1 or 2 in either discipline may change their discipline for level 3
Once level 3 is passed the candidate must test within that discipline in sequential order
English Riding and Western Riding levels 1 and 2 are very similar. Candidates who pass levels 1 or 2 in either discipline may change their discipline for level 3. Once level 3 is passed the candidate must test within that discipline in sequential order. This means that a 4-Her who passed levels 1 and 2 for English Riding may switch to Western Riding at level 3 and then progress through the western riding levels.

20. General Requirements
Candidates may meet their Dressage test requirements for English Riding level 3 or above by scoring a 60% or higher on required dressage test at a dressage show judged by a rated dressage judge
Note: This only fulfills the dressage test requirement and candidate must finish other sections to complete the specific level
For the English Riding Levels, a candidate may meet their dressage test requirements for level 3 or above by scoring a 60% or higher on the required dressage test at a dressage show. The score must be from a rated dressage judge. A copy of the candidate’s completed test must be provided to the examiner at the time of testing. Please note that this fulfills only the dressage test section of the riding level test and the candidate must still perform the other required sections to complete the level in its entirety.

21. What is considered a rated Dressage Judge?
USDF L judge or higher
L, r, R, S, O
Note: A copy of the candidate’s completed test must be provided to the examiner at the time of testing
A rated dressage judge is any judge that has received their license for the L program or higher. This includes judges with L, r, R, S, or O credentials. A copy of the candidate’s completed dressage test must be provided to the examiner before the start of the testing.

22. Standards Level Testing
Levels 1 & 2: Club level testing
Administered by an approved examiner
Levels 3 & 4: County level testing
Locations and times announced by County Extension Office
No family members or instructors/trainers may serve as examiner
4-Her may attend testing in a county other than their own with approval of host county
It is suggested that one month pass between member testing for level 4 after passing level 3
All testings are conducted by examiners who were approved by the Maryland 4-H State Office. The records for each examiner are on file with the examiner’s county office. Levels 1 and 2 are conducted at the club level and need only to be administered by an approved examiner. Levels 3 and 4 are conducted at the county level. The locations and times for any and all level 3 and 4 testings must be announced by the County Extension Office. The testing must still be administered by approved examiner, but the examiner may not be a family member, instructor, or trainer of the 4-H candidate they are testing. 4-Hers are allowed to attend testings in counties other than their own as long as they receive approval from the county they wish to test in. It is recommended that one month passes between a member testing for level 4 after they passed level 3. This ensures that they have adequate time to study and prepare for the testing.

23. Standards Level Testing
Levels 5 & 6: State level testing
Administered by approved examiner
No family members or instructors/trainers may serve as examiner
4-Her must supply all necessary equipment
It is suggested that two months must pass between 4-H member testing for level 5 after passing level 4 as well as level 6 after passing level 5
Dates for testings will be available at the beginning of the calendar year
Levels 5 and 6 are conducted at the state level. They are administered by approved examiners, who may not be a family member, instructor, or trainer of the candidate they are testing. The 4-Her must supply all necessary equipment for the Riding Levels. It is suggested that two months pass between testing for level 5 after a 4-Her as passed level 4. It is also suggested that two months pass between testing for level 6 after a 4-Her has passed level 5. This is to help ensure that the candidate is fully prepared for their testing. Dates for level 5 and 6 testings will be released by the Maryland State 4-H office at the beginning of the calendar year.

24. Scoring the Test
A 4-H member must meet or exceed all skills to pass the level test
If one or two sections are not passed, 4-H member may retest those sections no sooner than one month after.
Retest must be with the same examiner and must occur within 3 months of original testing date.
If three or more sections are not passed, 4-H member may retest entire level no sooner than one month after.
Retest may be with the same or different examiner.
In order to pass a testing level, a 4-H member must either meet or exceed all skills required for the level. If one or two sections are not passed, the 4-H member may retest only those sections. One month must pass before the 4-Her may re-test, but must not occur later than 3 months after the original testing date. The re-test must be performed by the same examiner as the original testing. If a 4-H member does not meet standards for three or more sections then they must retest the entire level. The 4-Her may not retest for the level sooner than one month after the original testing date. The retest may be performed by the same examiner or a different examiner.

25. Re-Test Section
Original testing sheet must be used for re-testing a candidate
At the bottom of every score sheet for each level is a re-testing section. This section should be used by the examiner retesting the 4-H candidate. The original testing sheet must be used for the re-testing.

26. Scoring the Test
Examiners should document reasons why 4-Her did not meet expectations and discuss decision with the candidate
Be positive
Use appropriate verbage
Knowledge/Riding Testing sheets must be copied and submitted to county offices for levels 1-4 and state office for levels 5-6 as well as candidate
Examiners should write comments on the candidate’s score sheet regarding their performance. In particular, reasons why the candidate did not meet expectations on a particular section should be noted. These comments should be positive and use appropriate verbage that allows the candidate to learn from the testing experience. The examiner is to discuss the overall performance of the candidate with the candidate themselves at the end of the testing. The Knowledge and Riding Testing sheets will be copied and submitted to the county office for levels 1-4 and submitted to the state office for levels 5-6. This means that the candidate will be allowed to look at their testing sheet at the end of the testing but will not receive a copy until a later date. The candidate may review the written test to assess their performance, but will not receive a copy of that test at any time.

27. Awards & Recognition Levels 1 & 2 Levels 3-6 County Level
Certificate of Achievement
Levels 3-6
State Level
Horsemen’s Party
Additional items as they progress through the levels
Candidates completing Knowledge Levels in their entirety (K1 – K6) will also be recognized
4-Hers who complete level 1 knowledge and riding and/or level 2 knowledge and riding will be recognized at their county level and will receive a certificate of achievement. 4-Hers who complete both the riding and knowledge level for level 3 and above will be recognized at the state level. The 4-Her will receive a certificate of achievement and additional items at the yearly Horsemen’s Party held in the fall. Candidates who complete all of the knowledge levels, 1 through 6, will also be recognized at the Horsemen’s Party.

28. Responsibilities of 4-H Member
Request testing from club leader, county educators, or state office
Provide proof of last level passed
Provide appropriate testing fees (as necessary)
Provide safe and appropriate tack, equipment, and horse
Come prepared to demonstrate all knowledge and skills indicated in levels
The 4-H member must request a testing from their club level, for levels 1 or 2, their county educator, for levels 3 or 4, or from the state office, for levels 5 or 6. The 4-H member must provide proof that they passed the level before. Proof of preceded level passed can include:
A completed Performance Level Book at a preceding level or verification from the County Extension Office
A copy of a passing testing sheet from an approved examiner at a preceding level
Some levels require the 4-H member to pay testing fees. More information about these fees can be found in the Horsemanship Standards Manual. The 4-H member must come to the testing with proper turnout, including safe and appropriate tack and equipment, and a horse capable of performing the movements safely. Candidates must come prepared to demonstrate all the knowledge and skills required for the level.

29. How Do I Become An Examiner?
Be UME volunteer
Turn in volunteer status form
Attend at least one training session or complete the online training modules
Complete a test for level(s) wishing to become an examiner for
Attend Horsemanship Standards Committee meetings once every 2 years
In order to become an examiner, you must be a University of Maryland Extension (UME) volunteer and turn in a volunteer status form. Examiners are required to attend at least one training session or complete the online training modules before they are allowed to test. Examiners must also complete a test for each level they are wishing to be become an examiner for. All examiners must attend a horsemanship standards committee meeting once every 2 years in order to stay current on changes and events within the program.

30. Volunteer Status Forms
Levels 1-3
County Educator Signature
Levels 4-6
County Educator’s Signature
Two References (UME Volunteer & Horse Industry Professional)
All new examiners must complete training session before becoming an examiner
The Volunteer Status Form is a way to ensure that examiners are UME volunteers in good standing. For levels 1 through 3, the examiner’s county educator must sign off on the form. For levels 4 through 6, the examiner’s county educator must sign off on the form and the examiner must get two references. One reference must be from a UME volunteer and one reference must be from a horse industry professional. These references should not be related to you. All new examiners must completed a training session before they become an examiner and are allowed to conduct a testing on their own.

31. Examiner Tests
Demonstrate ability to evaluate knowledge and skills via:
Levels 1-3
Open book exams
Levels 4-6
Knowledge – closed book exam
Riding – Conduct a testing for the specific level in front of a committee
Examiners testing for any levels 1 through 3 must pass an open book exam. There are separate exams for the riding levels and for the knowledge levels. Examiners testing for levels 4 through 6 must complete a closed book exam for the knowledge levels and be evaluated while conducting a testing for the riding levels. More information regarding the testing for riding Levels 4-6 is available online, including the testing sheet with evaluation protocol.

32. Responsibilities of Examiner
Must be UME volunteer and approved for levels asked to test
Know all aspects of subject material and be able to demonstrate if asked
Act as a role model
Conduct tests in positive educational environment
Examiners must be a UME volunteer in good standing and approved by the Maryland State 4-H office for the levels they are testing for. A list of approved examiners and the levels for which they are approved is available online. Examiners are required to know all aspects of the subject material and capable of demonstrating the skills required by the 4-Her if asked. Examiners must always act as a role model, including dressing appropriately; utilizing and following safety equipment and guidelines; and acting professional and diplomatic at all times. They must conduct the testing in a positive educational environment – balancing positive and negative comments and sharing them with the candidate in a kind, positive, and well-communicated way.

33. Responsibilities of Examiner
Understand safety is of utmost importance
Be prepared to excuse candidates that are unsafe, poorly behaving, or have an unsuitable horse
Provide written comments on candidate test sheets about performance of candidates
Safety is the examiner’s top priority. The examiner must ensure the overall safety of riding areas, jump courses, and weather conditions. No riding is permissible during thunderstorms, excessive rain, unsafe footing, or other extreme circumstances. The testing may be canceled if necessary. The examiner may excuse candidates from the testing if they believe that the candidate is unsafe, behaving poorly, or has an unsuitable horse for the testing. Examiners will provide detailed written comments on the candidates test sheet regarding the candidate’s performance for the level they are testing for.

34. Responsibilities of Examiner
Test sheets must be copied and submitted to county offices for levels 1-4 and state office for levels 5-6 as well as candidate. 4-Her should receive a copy of testing sheet
Receive and turn in testing fees to State 4-H Office and initial that payments were received
Testings can be stressful so be aware of signs of distress, overriding, or overfacing by horses and riders
The examiner should copy the candidate’s test sheet and send it to the county office for levels 1 through 4 and the state office for levels 5 through 6. The examiner is also responsible for sending the a copy of the test sheet to the candidate. All 4-Her testing fees should be given to the examiner. The examiner is responsible for turning in the testing fees to the State 4-H Office and initialing that all payments were received on the space provided on the test sheet. Examiners should recognize signs of distress, orverriding, or overfacing of the horse or riding during the testing and handle these situations appropriately.

35. Reasons for Excusing Horse/Rider
Undsoundness
Unsuitability
Overfaced by nature of the testing
Unconditioned or physically strained by work required for the level being tested
Rider
Injury or illness
Disregard to safety or welfare of horse
Excessive use of natural aids or corrections using artificial aids
Disregard for or refusal of examiners instructions or requests
Unsportsmanlike behavior
The examiner may excuse a candidate from a testing for several reasons. Candidates may be excused if their horse is unsound, unsuitable, overfaced, or unconditioned or physically strained by the work required for the level being tested for. Candidates may be excused if they become injured or ill, show disregard for the safety or welfare of the horse, demonstrate excessive use of natural aids or corrections using artificial aids, show disregard for or refusal of the examiner’s instructions or requests, or shows unsportsmanlike behavior. The candidate may also withdraw from the testing if they are uncomfortable at any point.

36. Reasons for Excusing Horse/Rider
Tack
Lack of ASTM-SEI safety helmet or improperly fitting helmet
Lack of safe and appropriate riding apparel
Tack that is in poor condition
Inappropriately fitting tack that cannot be corrected at testing
Examiners may also excuse candidates if they come to the testing with inappropriate or unsafe tack. This includes not having an ASTM/SEI approved safety helmet or having an improperly fitting helmet. Candidates may also be excused if they do not have safe and appropriate riding apparel. Appropriate apparel can include long pants, sleeved shirt and hard soled, heeled riding boots. Candidates will be excused if they have tack that is in poor condition. Poor condition of tack can include frayed stitching, cracking leather or rotting. In addition, if a candidate comes to a testing with inappropriately fitting tack that cannot be corrected at the testing, then they will be excused from the testing.

37. Horsemanship Standards Committee
Subcommittee of the Maryland 4-H Horse Advisory Council
Consist of:
Approved examiners
UME volunteers
UME staff and faculty
Another responsibility of being an examiner is to participate on the Horsemanship Standards Committee. This committee meets at least once a year, generally in the late fall. It is a subcommittee of the Maryland 4-H Horse Advisory Council and consists of approved examiners, UME volunteers, UME staff, and UME faculty.

38. Horsemanship Standards Committee
Utilizes the meeting to:
Evaluate the success of the program
Make recommendations for changes to state office
Examiners must attend this meeting once every 2 years
The Horsemanship Standards Committee meets to evaluate the success of the program and express any recommendations for changes of the program to the state office. It is required that examiners attend at this meeting at least once every 2 years. Dates for these meetings will be determined by the State 4-H Office.

39. Responsibilities of County Office
Enter information into 4-H Enrollment Database
File documents that you receive including:
Testing related documents
Examiner letters
Assist examiners in identifying a location and date for county-wide testing as requested
The county 4-H offices are responsible for entering information into the 4-H enrollment database; filing documents received, such as testing related documents and examiner letters; and for assisting examiners in identifying a location and date for county-wide testings.

40. Responsibilities of County Office
Sign volunteer status forms
Fulfill requests for copies of the Knowledge written tests and keys from examiners
After each testing they should receive from the examiner:
Original graded written test & keys
Copy of testing sheet for each level Her has passed
County offices are responsible for signing volunteer status forms and for fulfilling requests from examiners for copies of the knowledge written tests and keys needed for 4-Her testings. After each testing, the county office should receive the original graded written test and keys and a copy of the testing sheet for each level the 4-Her performed from the examiner.

41. Testing Fees
Each 4-H member will be responsible for paying a testing participation fee prior to participating in specific level testings
Testing participation fees will help provide funding for the educational trainings for youth and adults, expenses for statewide examiner and 4-Her testings for Levels 4-6 as well as other operating expenses related to the program
Each 4-H member is responsible for paying a testing participation fee before they are allowed to participate in specific level testings. This was put into place to bring in more money to pay for various programming costs as well as to get a commitment from the 4-Hers when scheduling the testings. Testing participation fees will help provide funding for education trainings for both youth and adults, expenses for statewide examiner and 4-Her testings, and other operating expensed of the Horsemanship Standards Program.

42. Testing Fees LEVEL KNOWLEDGE RIDING 1 -- 2 3 $15.00 4 5 $20.00 6
This table outlines the fees required for each testing level. This chart can also be found in the Horsemanship Standards Manual, which is available online. All testing fees should be paid to the examiner performing the testing, who will give the money to the state 4-H office. Fees are required starting at Knowledge level 3. Knowledge levels 3 and 4, as well as riding level 4 require a $15 testing participation fee. Knowledge and Riding levels 5 and 6 require a $20 testing participation fee.

43. Testing Fee Guidelines
There will be a separate fee for both the knowledge and riding test taken at each level
Fee(s) must be paid in full prior to the day of the testing when registering
Personal checks and/or cashier checks will be accepted for payment. Payable to MD 4-H Foundation
Examiners conducting the testing will be responsible for submitting payments to the State 4-H Office
Examiner should initial testing sheet indicating payment was received
One time fee – no fee for retesting
Testing fees are non-refundable unless the 4-H member provides a doctor’s or vet’s note within 48 hours of the scheduled testing.
The fee for the knowledge and riding tests are separate at each level. The testing fee, or fees if testing for multiple levels or tests, must be paid in full prior to the day of the testing, such as at the time of registration. Only personal checks and/or cashier checks will be accepted for payment. All checks should be made out to the Maryland 4-H Foundation. The examiner conducting the testing will be responsible for submitting all fee payments to the State 4-H Office. The examiner must also initial the bottom of the candidate’s testing sheet to indicate if payment was received. If the candidate must retest the fee does not need to be paid again. Testing fees are non-refundable unless the 4-H member provides a doctor’s or veterinarian’s note as to why they were not able to attend the testing within 48 hours of the scheduled testing.

44. Initial Testing Sheet
The circle area indicates the portion of the candidate’s testing sheet that must be initialed by the examiner to indicate that the testing participation fees were received.

45. References and Resources
Approved resources for state contests
USPC Manual of Horsemanship: The Basics for Beginners through D Level, by S. E. Harris.
USPC Manual of Horsemanship: The Intermediate Horsemanship through C Level, by S. E. Harris.
USPC Manual of Horsemanship: The Advanced Horsemanship Through A Level, by S. E. Harris.
There is a full list of references and resources to help 4-Hers and examiners learn the required material for each level at the beginning of the Knowledge Study Guide section of the Horsemanship Standards manual. The list includes all approved resources for state contests as well as all three of the United States Pony Club Horsemanship Manuals and any additional references as they are identified.

46. 4-H Horsemanship Standards Website
For more information regarding the Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards Program please visit the website listed here.