Maryland 4-H
Horsemanship
Standards
Program
Overview
Kristen M. Wilson
Extension Horse Specialist
Revised 7/27/11
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
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
Horsemanship Standards
• Knowledge
• Riding:
– Western
– English Riding
– English Jumping
• Consist of 6 levels each
• Pass: Meet or exceed
standards
Knowledge Standards
• Emphasizes correct
and safe horse
handling and
management skills
• Develop basic health,
nutrition, and
veterinary knowledge
• Requires no use of a
horse
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
Knowledge Standards
Consists of:
1. Written Test
– Request copies from
County Extension
Office
2. Oral Practicum
(hands on) Section
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
Knowledge Test Sheet Example
Riding Levels
• Encourages Riders to
become:
– Safe
– Effective
– Confident
– Knowledgeable about
Equipment and Tack
and Hose Management
skills
Riding Levels
• Major Sections
Include:
– Horse Management
– Riding
Courtesy/Turnout
– Tack
– Riding
– Test/Pattern
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
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.
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
Riding Test Sheet Example
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
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
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 1 - 4 written and oral
practicum sections may be administered
on different days
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
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
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
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
– Administered by an approved examiner
– 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
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
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.
Re-Test Section
• Original
testing sheet
must be used
for re-testing
a candidate
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
Awards & Recognition
• Levels 1 & 2
– County Level
– Certificate of Achievement
• Levels 3-6
– State Level
• Horsemen’s Party
– Certificate of Achievement
– Additional items as they progress through the
levels
– Candidates completing Knowledge Levels in
their entirety (K1 – K6) will also be recognized
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Reasons for Excusing
Horse/Rider
• Horse
–
–
–
–
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
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
Horsemanship Standards
Committee
• Subcommittee of the Maryland 4-H
Horse Advisory Council
• Consist of:
– Approved examiners
– UME volunteers
– UME staff and faculty
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
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
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
4-Her has passed
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
Testing Fees
LEVEL
KNOWLEDGE
RIDING
1
--
--
2
--
--
3
$15.00
--
4
$15.00
$15.00
5
$20.00
$20.00
6
$20.00
$20.00
Testing Fee Guidelines
1. There will be a separate fee for both the knowledge
and riding test taken at each level
2. Fee(s) must be paid in full prior to the day of the
testing when registering
3. Personal checks and/or cashier checks will be
accepted for payment. Payable to MD 4-H
Foundation
4. Examiners conducting the testing will be responsible
for submitting payments to the State 4-H Office
5. Examiner should initial testing sheet indicating
payment was received
6. One time fee – no fee for retesting
7. 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.
Initial Testing Sheet
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.
4-H Horsemanship Standards
Website
http://www.4hhorse.umd.edu/activities/Horsemanship%20Standards.html