1. Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards Riding Level 3
This power point serves as an overview of the Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards Riding Level 3.
Prepared by:
Kristen M. Wilson
University of Maryland
Extension Horse Specialist
Dr. Amy Burk
University of Maryland Extension Horse Specialist
Rev. 8/16/11

2. Riding Testing Schedule
Horse Management
Horse and Rider Turnout
Tack
Riding
English – on the flat
English – over fences
Western
As a reminder, the general schedule for a riding level testing is as follows: Horse management questions are answered by the 4-Her during horse and rider turnout inspection. Questions regarding tack are also answered at this time. After a thorough safety inspection the riders will go through the riding requirements for the discipline they are testing for.

3. Horse Management Discuss precautions for securing a hay bag
Apply protective boots, bell boots, and discuss their purpose
Demonstrate putting on a blanket
In the horse management section, candidates must discuss precautions for securing a hay bag; apply protective boots, bell boots, and discuss their purpose; and demonstrate putting a blanket on a horse. Level 3 boot application requires 1 front boot and one hind boot on diagonal legs, and bell boots on both forefeet. Assistance may be given if necessary.

4. Horse and Rider Turnout
Recognize clean and safe attire and tack with ASTM/SEI approved helmet
Have horse properly groomed
Discuss and demonstrate (if possible) the rules of courtesy that should be followed when riding with others in a ring or on the trail
All riders must be in safe attire and tack with an ASTM/SEI approved helmet. Rider’s mounts need to be properly groomed and show regular care. 4-Hers testing for level 3 must discuss and demonstrate, if possible, the rules of courtesy that should be followed when riding with others in a ring.

5. Rider Turnout Does Not Meet Exceeds Meets Expectations Expectations
Pictured here are examples of potential rider and horse turnout. The rider on the left does not meet expectations for rider turnout. She is not wearing a helmet or proper footwear. In addition she should be wearing a sleeved, collared shirt. All riders must also ride in a saddle appropriate for their discipline.
The rider in the center meets expectations for rider turnout. He is wearing a helmet that looks like it fits properly, as well as appropriate clothing and tack.
The rider on the right exceeds expectations. She is wearing all of the basic requirements of proper footwear, a collared shirt, helmet, and appropriate tack. In addition she is wearing show attire, her hair is neat and in a hair net, she is wearing gloves, and a jacket.
Does Not Meet
Expectations
Meets
Expectations
Exceeds
Expectations

6. Rider Safety Checking Helmet Fit Jumping Vest Optional
All riders, regardless of discipline or experience, are required to wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet that fits them properly. Jumping vests are optional for all riders and may be worn by riders of any discipline if desired. There are several different styles of jumping vests on the market, including the new air vest. Riders, especially jumping riders, are encouraged to investigate and research safety vests for their personal use.
Checking Helmet Fit
Jumping Vest
Optional

7. Horse Turnout Does Not Meet Expectations Meets Expectations Exceeds
The horse on the left does not meet expectations for horse turnout. The horse has clearly not been brushed or well groomed.
The horse in the center meets expectations. The horse is well groomed. He does not have any dirt caked on his coat and he has clearly been groomed. The horse is in good health and looks well cared for.
The horse on the right exceeds expectations. The horse's coat is shiny and gleaming with health. The horse's mane is banded and his hooves were painted.
Horse turnout for level 3, the mount should be well brushed (no sweat), clean (no dirt), with feet picked out, and showing regular farrier care. Mane and tail brushed and eyes, nose, lips, and dock wiped off. In addition, appropriate areas of hair should be trimmed as suitable to the discipline.
Meets
Expectations
Exceeds
Expectations

8. Riding Rules and Etiquette
Riding alone is discouraged
Enclosed ring preferred
One horse length between horses
Passing is done left shoulder to left shoulder
Jumps to be jumped are called out
Due to safety concerns riders should not ride alone. Instead they should ride with others or have a ground person in case of emergency. Riding in an enclosed ring is generally safer than riding in the open. Riders should keep at least one horse length in between their horse and the horse in front of them. This distance increases as speed increases.
When passing other riders, you should pass left shoulder to left shoulder.
When schooling a jump in an area where other riders are also jumping, you should call out the jump so others are aware that you are jumping that particular fence. Also make sure that you jump fences in the direction that they are marked to be jumped.
Deborah Poole “DreamFields.com”

9. Tack Safe, neat, and properly adjusted tack
Discuss how to recognize proper fit of tack
Riders should come to the testing in safe, neat, and properly adjusted tack. Tack should also be clean – including no grease, sweat, or dust, stress points clean, stirrup pads (if used) clean, and bit clean.
In this section, the rider should also be able to discuss with the examiner how to recognize proper fit of tack. Riders should use their horse to demonstrate how to properly fit tack as they discuss it with the Examiner.

10. Tack Fit
The rider should discuss with the examiner both proper fit of the bridle and saddle. The saddle should fit both the rider and horse. There should be two to three fingers' clearance at the withers. There should be no pressure points and no weight on any part of the spine. The saddle should be properly balanced with a dip in the center.
Stirrups should be one inch wider than the rider's boots to allow for ½ inch on either side of the foot when mounted. Stirrup leathers should be of appropriate length for the rider and discipline. They should have room to be adjusted either shorter or longer if needed.
The girth should be of such length to allow at least two holes above and at least one hole below the buckles on either side when tightened.
The bit should be the proper size for the horse's mouth, not pinching or rubbing either side of the horse's lips.
Cheekpiece buckles should be 1 to 1½ inches above the eye, with at least 1 extra hole above the buckle. The crownpiece and browband should not pinch or rub the ears. The noseband should be ½ to 1 inch below the cheekbones and should not be adjusted too tight or loose. A fist should fit between the horse's cheek and throatlatch.

11. Unsafe Tack http://www.newrider.com/Library/Misc_Tips/tack_safety.html
All tack used should be in good condition. The leather should not be cracking, stiff, dry, or broken off. All stitching should be present and should not be fraying or loose. Stirrup leathers, billets, girths, reins, and points of attachment should be checked throughly.

12. Check Safety and Fit of Accessories
Saddle pads
Girth
Stirrups and leathers
Breast plates
Martingales
Before the rider mounts their horse, the examiner should check the safety and fit of all tack and accessories. This includes saddle pads, girths, sitrrups, stirrup leathers, breast plates, martingales, boots, bandages, saddles, and bridles. Anytime a tack change is made or the rider remounts the examiner should perform a safety tack check.
Saddle pads should be pulled into the gullet of the saddle and have no wrinkled areas. The saddle pad should not be too small for the saddle or excessively large. If the rider is using a running martingale they should have stops on the reins. Standing martingales should not excessively restrict movement of the head. A fist should be able to fit between the breastplate and the horse's chest.

13. Gaits Review for Riding Tests
Levels 1 & 2
Walk and Trot/Jog
Levels 3 & 4
Walk, Trot, Canter/Lope
Riding level tests 1 and 2 require the rider to be able to walk and trot or jog only. Riding level test 3 introduces the canter or lope.
Leaping and Galloping not included..

14. English Riding Level 3 RIDING EXPECTATIONS:
Throughout the entire testing, candidate demonstrates a safe, basic balanced position with control at the walk, trot, and canter in both directions.
Each level testing, regardless of discipline, has specific riding expectations that the rider must maintain throughout the testing. The level 3 English rider should demonstrate a safe, basic balanced position throughout the entire testing and show control at the walk, trot, and canter in both directions.

15. English Riding Level 3
Demonstrate an increase and decrease of speed at the walk and trot
Ride without stirrups at the walk and trot (sitting)
20 meter circles at walk, rising trot, sitting trot, and canter in both directions
Demonstrate a halt from walk, trot, and canter on a straightaway
USDF Intro. Level Test C (Appendix G) or English Riding Pattern 3 (Appendix C)
During the English Riding Level 3 testing, the rider must demonstrate an increase and decrease of speed at the walk and trot; ride without stirrups at the walk and sitting trot; demonstrate a 20 meter circle at the walk, rising trot, sitting trot, and canter in both directions; demonstrate a halt from walk, trot, and canter on a straightaway; and perform either the current USDF Introductory Level Test C or English Riding Pattern 3. Examiners should keep in mind the riding test expectations when evaluating a rider’s performance of the required movements.

16. English Riding Level 3 Pattern
The English Riding Pattern for Level 3 can be found in Appendix C of the Horsemanship Standards Manual and is also shown here. The currently used Dressage Test for Level 3 can be found in Appendix G.

17. Western Riding Level 3 RIDING EXPECTATIONS
Throughout the entire testing, candidate demonstrates a safe, basic balanced position with control at the walk, jog, and lope in both directions.
Throughout the entire testing at Western Riding Level 3, the riding candidate should demonstrate a safe, basic balanced position with control at the walk, jog, and lope in both directions.

18. Western Riding Level 3 Same as English except….
Large circles at walk, jog, and lope
Pivot the horse’s front end 45 degrees in both directions
Riders must complete the Riding Pattern in Appendix R of Horsemanship Standards manual (candidates may use the dressage test required for English Riding Level 3 (Appendix G) in place of patterns)
The riding level 3 candidate must show an increase and decrease in speed at the walk and jog; ride without stirrups at the walk and jog; perform large circles at the walk, jog, and lope with the correct lead in both directions; demonstrate a halt from the walk, jog, and lope on a straightaway; demonstrate aids for pivoting the horse’s front end 45 degrees in both directions; walk over appropriately spaced ground poles in a straight line; and complete Western Riding Pattern 3 in Appendix R of the Horsemanship Standards manual. Examiners should evaluate the rider according to execution of movements and maintenance of riding test expectations.

19. Western Riding Level 3 Pattern
The pattern for Western Riding Level 3 can be found in Appendix R of the Horsemanship Standards Manual and is shown here.

20. English Jumping Level 3
Must perform same skills as those in Riding Levels, and in addition:
Trot over ground poles followed by a crossrail
Jump a course consisting of 5-7 obstacles (verticals and/or cross-rails)
For English Jumping Level 3 the candidate must still demonstrate an increase and decrease of speed at the walk and trot; ride without stirrups at the walk and sitting trot; perform 20 meter circles at the walk, sitting trot, rising trot, and canter; and demonstrate a halt from the walk, trot, and canter on a straightaway. During the flat portion of the English Jumping Levels the rider’s position will be evaluated by the examiner according to the same riding test expectations as English Riding Level 3.
In addition, the candidate must trot over ground poles followed by a two foot cross rail and jump a course consisting of 2 cross rails and 5 vertical jumps. A diagram for the Level 3 English Jumping grid may be found in Appendix L of the Horsemanship Standards Manual.

21. English Jumping Level 3 JUMPING RIDING EXPECTATIONS:
Throughout the entire jumping section, candidate maintains a secure base of support, while developing balance and a steady position over fences.
Throughout the entire jumping section for Level 3, the rider must maintain a secure base of support, while developing balance and a steady position over fences.

22. Jumping
Position
A rider in balance over the fence should be with the motion of her pony and the thrust of the pony’s jump should lift the rider’s seat out of the saddle. The rider should have an appropriate release for the pony and size of fence. A rider out of balance may be either behind or ahead of the pony. The rider should not land harshly on the pony’s back on the departure side of the jump. The rider should not use the pony’s mouth for balance.
Susan E. Harris, The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship

23. Jumping Exercise
A typical start of a grid consists of three to five trot poles spaced at 4’ to 4’6” depending on the stride of the horse, followed by a cross-rail that is set at twice the distance of the trot poles measured from the base of the fence to the last ground pole.
Susan E. Harris, The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship

24. Ground Pole Placement
All fences at level 3 should have ground lines. The course should not include bending lines, combinations, or related distances. Jumps can have turns but the actual approaches should be straight on.
Susan E. Harris, The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship

25. Grid Examples 6 ft 12 ft 6 ft 12 ft 6 ft 6 ft 6 ft 12 ft 6 ft 6 ft
Grids are a useful and effective way to improve both horse and rider jumping skills. For diagrams of the grids used for Horsemanship Standards Testings for level 3 please refer to Appendices K of the Horsemanship Standards Manual.
Susan E. Harris, The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship

26. Sample Course
Pictured here is an example jump course riders may be asked to ride. Courses can be a combination of vertical and crossrails. Jumps may be jumped twice, but should have a ground pole on each side if jumped in both directions.
Susan E. Harris, The United States Pony Club
Manual of Horsemanship

27. 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
Any reference approved for state contests may be used as a resource of information for the Horsemanship Standards Testings. In addition, the United States Pony Club Manuals of Horsemanship, Junior Master Horseman series, and the Certified Horsemanship Association Composite Horsemanship Manual may be used as references.
Now let’s go get tested for Riding Level 3