Smiling W Stable's Achievement Level Requirements

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Below are our five levels consisting of:

• Introductory (Green Level)

• Basic (White Level)

• Novice (Yellow Level)

• Intermediate (Lavender Level)

• Advanced (Blue Level)

Feel free to print these and to use them as study guides. 

SMILING W STABLE'S INTRODUCTORY LEVEL REQUIREMENTS (Green Level)

RIDER:__________________________ HORSE:________________________

EXAMINER:______________________ DATE:_________________________

code: AS = Above Requirement MS = Meets Requirement RR = Retesting Required

_____ Rider to be safely turned out including boots, helmet and long pants.

_____ Mount & dismount with assistance.

_____ Hold reins correctly at the halt.

_____ Demonstrate basic correct position at the halt.

_____ Demonstrate basic balanced position at the walk.

_____ Have stopping ability & know importance.

_____ Turn & circle at walk

_____ Trot long sides safely on the rail

Be able to locate the following:

_____ reins

_____ stirrups

_____ saddle

_____ bridle

_____ halter

_____ leadrope

_____ quick release knot

_____ withers

_____ hoof

_____ mane

Overall: General impressions, suggestions for improvement:

SMILING W STABLE'S BASIC LEVEL REQUIREMENTS (White Level)

RIDER:_____________________________________ HORSE: _____________________________________

EXAMINER:__________________________________ DATE:_____________________________________

code: AS = Above Requirement MS = Meets Requirement RR = Retesting Required

_____ Walk over poles on the ground in jumping or standing position.

_____ Discuss with Examiner the reason for different positions (sitting vs jumping/standing).

_____ Name any 10 parts of saddle and bridle.

_____ Know two reasons for cleaning tack.

_____ Name any 10 parts of the horse.

_____ Discuss what a veterinarian is.

_____ Give one reason why the vet might treat your horse.

_____ Know basic rules of riding in a group in an enclosed area.

Overall: General impressions, suggestions for improvement:

SMILING W STABLE'S NOVICE LEVEL REQUIREMENTS (Yellow Level)

RIDER:__________________________ HORSE:________________________

EXAMINER:______________________ DATE:_________________________

code: AS = Above Requirement MS = Meets Requirement RR = Retesting Required

Turnout

_____ Rider in safe, neat attire appropriate to this level.

_____ Mount clean and neatly groomed, feet picked out and showing farrier care.

_____ Tack safe and clean, with attention to stitching, girth, stirrups (properly adjusted with assistance if necessary).

_____ Mount and dismount independently, using mounting block if necessary.

_____ Ride at the walk performing simple turns and large circles.

_____ Ride without stirrups at the walk.

_____ Ride at the trot (on correct diagonal if riding English) performing simple turns and large circles.

_____ Ride at the canter in both directions and be aware of leads.

_____ Discuss performance with examiner indicating whether or not horse was on correct lead.

_____ Rider should demonstrate control while maintaining a safe & balanced position at the walk and trot.

_____ Maintain jumping position at the trot, on the flat and over ground poles.

_____ In an enclosed area, ride a simple stadium course of four to five obstacles not to exceed 18".

_____ Discuss with Examiner ways to improve the ride.

_____ Rider should demonstrate control while developing a safe, balanced position over fences.

_____ Ride a simple walk-trot figure 8 pattern (composed of 2 twenty meter circles):

        Begin at the center of the figure 8.

        1. Circle to the right at the walk;

        2. At the center, pick up the trot and circle left.

        3. Upon reaching the center, halt. Back four steps, and walk forward.

_____ Ride safely and considerately on public and private property, in a group, at the walk and trot.

_____ Negotiate a simple obstacles such as what might be met on a trail not to exceed 16".

_____ Name and locate 15 parts of the horse.

_____ Name and describe 6 colors of horse.

_____ Name and describe 5 markings on horse.

_____ Name 4 horse or pony breeds.

_____ Thoroughly groom & comb horse, pick out feet.

_____ Be able to identify any describe any external concerns including horse's feet.

_____ Tack up and untack horse independently.

_____ List 3 examples of unsafe equipment.

_____ Name 3 common stable vices.

_____ Name 5 grooming tools and explain how to use them.

_____ Lead horse in and out of stall safely.

_____ Lead pony correctly in hand and tacked up.

_____ Do walk-halt-walk transitions in hand.

_____ Name at least 3 rules of feeding.

_____ Know basic condition of own horse.

_____ Describe ways to know if horse is properly cooled out.

_____ Know reasons for daily foot care.

_____ Give two reasons why the farrier regularly checks your horse.

_____ Give two reasons why you might bandage a horses legs.

_____ Apply (with assistance) protective boots and bell boots appropriate to horse's leg.

_____ Give two reasons to have your horse routinely checked by a veterinarian.

_____ Know basic rules for riding on roads in your state.

_____ Name two ways you can help your horse be safe in a trailer.

Overall General impressions, suggestions for improvement:

SMILING W STABLE'S INTERMEDIATE LEVEL REQUIREMENTS (Lavender Level)

RIDER:__________________________ HORSE:________________________

EXAMINER:______________________ DATE:_________________________

code: AS = Above Requirement MS = Meets Requirement RR = Retesting Required

_____ Rider in safe, neat attire appropriate to this level.

_____ Mount clean and neatly groomed, feet picked out and showing farrier care.

_____ Tack safe, clean, and properly adjusted.

_____ Describe formal attire, informal attire.

Riding on the Flat

_____ Adjust stirrups while mounted at the halt (English saddle).

_____ Perform balancing and suppling exercises for rider at walk & trot.

_____ Ride without stirrups at the sitting trot.

_____ Demonstrate a simple step back.

_____ Perform 20-meter circles, in both directions, at walk, at trot sitting and rising with correct diagonals, and at a canter with correct leads.

_____ Demonstrate increase and decrease of speed at the trot by passing riders on rail and taking the lead.

_____ Discuss performance with Examiner and whether or not circles were round and natural aids were used correctly.

_____ Rider should demonstrate a balanced position throughout the flat work.

_____Trot over ground poles, followed by crossrail.

_____ Ride a simple stadium course of five to seven obstacles not to exceed 2 feet in height. Discuss performance, reasons for any disobediences.

_____ Jump simple cross-country obstacles, not to exceed 2 feet.

_____ Rider should show a secure base of support while developing balance and a steady position over fences.

Non-Jumping Option

_____ Ride a walk-trot "programmed ride" such as USDF Intro Test 2 or or a walk-trot-canter ride, such AHSA Training Level Test 1. (Test may be read to candidate).

Riding in the Open

_____ Ride safely with a group at the walk and trot, over varied terrain, through shallow water and small ditches such as occur in natural terrain (ditches to be unrevetted)

Conditioning/Nutrition

_____ Know the basic rules for feeding and explain feeding schedule to include amount of roughage and amount of concentrates per ration for own horse.

_____ Know parts of the horse.

_____ Know common conformation faults of neck, back, shoulder, head and pasterns.

_____ Describe the characteristics of a strange horse clearly enough for another person to recognize it within a group. Include: color, breed, markings. size, sex and obvious conformation characteristics.

_____ Describe how to measure height on horse.

Stable Management

_____ Demonstrate how to clean and bed a stall giving reasons for each step.

_____ Lead correctly, moving horse forward with whip or assistance (if necessary.)

_____ Do walk-trot-walk-halt transitions in hand.

_____ Lead safely from both sides.

Health Care & Veterinary Knowledge

_____ Name some symptoms of a sick or injured horse that would cause you to seek help.

_____ Describe what critical areas are protected by shipping bandages or boots, and give reasons for their use.

_____ Apply protective boots and bell boots on own horse (with supervision.)

_____ Apply stable wrap, with assistance.

_____ Describe obvious signs of a foot needing shoeing or trimming.

Travel Safety

_____ Know rules for riding safely on public roads in your state.

_____ Know procedure for mounted group crossing a public roadway.

_____ Discuss the proper procedure for loading and unloading a horse from a trailer.

Overall General impressions, suggestions for improvement

SMILING W STABLE'S ADVANCED LEVEL REQUIREMENTS (Blue Level)

RIDER:__________________________ HORSE:________________________

EXAMINER:______________________ DATE:_________________________

code: AS = Above Requirement MS = Meets Requirement RR = Retesting Required

Turnout

_____ Correct informal attire, neat and clean

_____ Horse well-groomed, reflecting regular care.

_____ Tack: Safe, clean and well adjusted, reflecting regular care.

Riding on the Flat

_____ Ride at walk, trot and canter, with smooth transitions, performing circles and figure 8' s at each gait.

_____ Demonstrate long rein, loose rein, light contact at the walk.

_____ Warmup for everyday work.

_____ Discuss value of warm-up exercises, circles, figure-8's, walk, trot, canter.

_____ Discuss performance, including whether or not pony was moving freely forward.

_____ Suppling exercises, for rider without stirrups; walk & sitting trot.

_____ Demonstrate aids to move pony away from the leg at halt or walk.

_____ Discuss leg yields and half halts.

_____ Describe three artificial aids and their use.

_____ Rider should show :firm basic balanced position, using natural aids and control in initiating free forward movement with a light feel of horse's mouth.

_____ Perform gymnastic exercises for rider over trotting poles, followed by small fences (max 2'), developing into small grid (three fences max., not to exceed 2').

_____ Ride over jumping course, six to eight obstacles including a two-stride combination; no obstacle to exceed 2' 3".

_____ Discuss performance, pace and ways ride could be improved.

Riding in the Open

_____ Ride over cross-country obstacles, not to exceed 2'3".

_____ Discuss performance, giving reasons for any disobediences.

_____ Rider should show a firm basic balanced position over fences while riding with control.

_____ Ride a walk-trot-canter "programmed ride" such as AHSA Test 1 or choice (Test may be read to candidate).

Riding in the Open

_____ Ride safely in a group at the walk, trot and canter.

_____ Discuss and/or demonstrate, if time available, riding safely over hills, ditches, low banks flat open areas, streams.

Horse Management Expectations

Conditioning/Nutrition

_____ Discuss conditioning and how to condition for activity of choice (appropriate to level).

_____ Describe how feeds are measured and weighed.

_____ Know amount and type of feed for own horse.

_____ Describe characteristics of good and bad feed, watering and pasture.

Stable Management

_____ Discuss bedding appropriate to area.

_____ Describe conditions which foster internal & external parasites, procedure for parasite control; in pasture and stall management, ways to control flies, & bot eggs.

_____ Discuss regular worming routine for own horse, how and why to de-worm new horses in bam.

_____ Discuss types & causes of stable vices.

_____ Describe and give reasons for three types of clipping.

_____ Put blanket or sheet on horse.

Conformation & Lameness

_____ Identify good and bad points of basic leg conformation.

_____ Describe five common unsoundnesses (location and outward appearance.)

Travel Safety

_____ Discuss basic equipment needed for horse's safety and comfort during trailer travel.

_____ Demonstrate knowledge of Trailer Safety Checklist.

Healthcare & Veterinary Knowledge

_____ Describe how to treat minor wounds.

_____ Know health care schedule for own horse, to include dates of inoculations, deworming, shoeing, and teeth floating.

Teaching

_____ Under direct supervision perform and explain reasons for a safety check on a Intro, Basic or Novice level rider.

Longeing

_____ Discuss reasons for longeing, necessary equipment and safety procedures.

Foot & Shoeing

_____ Discuss five steps in shoeing.

_____ Recognize farrier tools and use.

Bandaging

_____ Apply a Shipping Bandage with assistance.

Overall General impressions, suggestions for improvement