Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards
Level 5
Examiner:________________________ County:___________ Date:___________
KEY: ES = Exceeds Standard MS = Meets Standard DNMS = Does not Meet Standard
Purpose
To determine if examiner can:
1. Accurately assess horse/rider strengths and weaknesses.
2. Set‐up appropriate and safe courses, patterns, and area for required movements.
3. Communicate effectively to the candidate the expectations of the standards.
4. Organize testing in logical, progressive manner.
5. Maintain safety at all times during the testing.
Shows concern and knowledge of safety of candidates and horses

Performs thorough safety checks before the rider(s) mount (tack, helmet,
clothing, etc.)

Ensures the riders are in control of their mounts and riding safely at all times

Ensures candidates perform safe lunging practices and have control of horse
at all times

Ensures riders are never unsupervised when mounted

Requests background history on the horses and riders and is prepared for
potential problems
ES _____
MS_____
DNMS_____
Comments:
Correct assessment of candidates

Presents a rational and clear explanation to the review committee for
ES/MS/DNMS of candidate

Properly evaluates candidate’s lounging, warm-up, riding, and horse
management skills based on testing level

Appropriately passes or recommends retesting based on candidate’s
performance
Comments:
ES _____
MS_____
DNMS_____
Ability to identify and assess problems of the horse and rider

Establishes a rapport with the rider and horse

Discusses any concerns effectively with the rider

Demonstrates a solid theory of proper riding and horsemanship

Addresses concerns quickly and effectively
Comments:
Appropriate exercises in relation to standards expectations

Does not include restricted obstacles in course work

Includes all required movements

Properly sets up cones/letters for patterns/dressage tests

If testing for jumping: properly sets-up grids and courses, including: proper
heights, correct distances, and appropriateness of grid and course for test
level
Comments:
Site preparation and management

Is aware of surroundings, and considers that in preparation of site

Maintains control of the site at all times

Organize and pays attention to safety in movements and patterns executed by
candidates, including: location for patterns/courses to be executed and
interaction of riders in a group
ES _____
MS_____
DNMS_____
ES _____
MS_____
DNMS_____
ES _____
MS_____
Comments:
DNMS_____
Rapport, Professional Demeanor, Presentation

Is positive and friendly towards candidates

Maintains poise and professionalism throughout evaluation

Has presence in the ring ( loud enough to hear, clear at all times)

Eases candidates’ testing anxiety
ES _____
Comments:
DNMS_____
MS_____
Organization and Focus

Enters the testing situation with a plan of action

Is not distracted by problems that may arise

Completes the entire testing with all candidates unless there are unforeseen
problems (lameness, safety concerns, etc…)

Divides attention among all candidates and does not focus on any single rider
for too long
ES _____
MS_____
DNMS_____
Comments:
Written comments on score sheet appropriate for testing

Professional comments, not personal

Clearly worded and easy to understand
ES _____

Constructive criticism as necessary

Encouragement and praise as appropriate (find something positive about each
MS_____
candidate regardless of evaluation)
DNMS_____
Comments:
Bandaging Requirement

Applies the shipping bandage correctly on either a front or hind leg

Extensive knowledge of materials, techniques, and differences between front
and hind leg application of bandages
Comments:
ES:______
MS:______
DNMS:______
ES _____
MS_____
DNMS_____
Overall comments/suggestions:
_____________________________
_________________________
__________________
Review Committee Names
Sections Requiring Retesting:
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
A candidate may be retested as follows:
 Retest to cover not more than 1 or 2 sections of the
test. Retest must take place within 1 year but no
sooner than 6 months.
 Not meeting standards of any section on that day
will require retaking entire test.
ES_________MS________DNMS________
Signature_____________________________
Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards Examiner Testing Sheet
ENGLISH JUMPING LEVEL 5
Purpose
To determine if examiner can:
1. Accurately assess horse/rider strengths and weaknesses.
2. Set-up appropriate and safe courses, patterns, and area for required movements.
3. Communicate effectively to the candidate the expectation of the standards.
4. Organize testing in logical, progressive manner.
5. Maintain safety at all times during the testing
*Please see Examiner Assessment Score sheet for more details
Testing Format (approximate suggested times for each section are given)
Introduction with Candidates (without horse)
(5-10 minutes)
During this time examiners should:
 Introduce candidates to each other, as well as introduce yourself and share your background
 Get a basic history of rider and horse.
 Review the schedule and expectations for the testing with the riders.
 Discuss with candidates whether they would like to lunge their horses before they ride or
afterwards.
At this time the review committee will be looking for the following from the examiner:
 Positive Interaction with the candidates.
 Easing of testing anxiety.
 Correctly answering candidate’s questions.
 Organization.
Tack and Safety Check
(7-8 minutes per rider)
During this time examiners should:
 Check that tack and clothing are appropriate and safe for discipline.
 Make or suggest any necessary changes (Changes must approved by parent).
 Check the rider’s helmet for proper fit and to make sure it is ASTM/SEI approved.
 Complete “Horse and Rider Turnout” and “Tack” sections of standards asking each candidate
individual questions as necessary (“Discuss selected farrier care for presented horse and why it
has been chosen” and “Explain purpose of equipment used on own horse”).
At this time the review committee will be looking for the following from the examiner:
 Knowledge of proper fitting of tack.
 Knowledge of safety standards for attire and tack.
 Knowledge of farrier care options and uses.
Lunging
(5-7 minutes per rider)
During this time examiners should:
 Ensure candidates have control of horse and are showing safe practices.
 Discuss with each candidate “at least 3 exercises used when lunging a horse and the benefits for
each.”
 Observe each candidate lunge a horse, to its appropriate level, for the purpose of exercise in an
enclosed area and discuss horse’s performance when finished.
At this time the review committee will be looking for the following from the examiner:
 Knowledge of lunging practices and theory, as well as necessary equipment and safety
procedure.
 Consideration of lunging location, size of circle, time horse is lunged, rider attire and mount
attire.
Warm-up
(10-15minutes)
During this time examiners should:
 Allow candidates to warm-up.
 Ensure that candidates properly warm-up.
 Pull in each candidate separately to ask individual questions listed in the standards (“Discuss
appropriate horse and rider warm up routines for two different disciplines of candidate’s
choice.”).
At this time the review committee will be looking for the following from the examiner:
 Knowledge of warm up routines for different equine disciplines.
 Judgment of candidate’s warm-up, to include: time needed for rider to relax, time needed for
horse to become supple, and consideration of weather and footing.
Riding – flatwork
(15 minutes)
During this time examiners should:
 Assess candidates for remaining flatwork movements and riding expectations in riding section:
o Ride at the walk, trot, and canter, showing smooth transitions and performing large and
small circles (12-15 meters), serpentines and figure 8’s with a correct bend while
maintaining an even rhythm with smooth transitions.
o Ride without stirrups at the walk, trot, and canter, maintaining balance and control.
o Develop a hand gallop from a canter and return smoothly to the canter.
o Demonstrate the aids for moving a horse away from the rider’s leg at the trot.
o Halt squarely and stand for five seconds.
At this time the review committee will be looking for the following from the examiner:
 Knowledge of proper execution of required movements.
 Knowledge of proper lateral movement execution.
 Organization and safety consideration of movements and patterns, to include: location for
patterns to be executed, interactions of riders in a group, and inclusion of all required
movements.
Riding – Jumping
(15-20 minutes)
During this time examiners should:
 Assess candidates execution of jumping exercises and riding expectations in riding section:
o Perform grid exercises by trotting over appropriately spaced ground poles followed by a
crossrail, one stride to a 2’3” vertical, and then one or two stride 2’6” vertical. (See
Appendix N)
o Discuss with candidate two benefits of grid work for the horse and rider.
o Develop and discuss a plan for riding over a course consisting of 6-8 vertical obstacles
while demonstrating simple and/or flying changes of lead as necessary while
maintaining rhythm and control throughout the course. Jumps should consist of
verticals and ascending oxers (all with ground lines) and one two-element combination
with the majority set to 2’6”. Candidates must then ride the course they discussed.
o Discuss how planned course rode and how the candidate’s position was maintained with
each candidate.
 Ensure the candidates properly cool down their horses when all riding movements are
complete.
At this time the review committee will be looking for the following from the examiner:
 Knowledge of grid and course work set-up and theory.
 Proper set-up of grids and courses, to include: proper heights, correct distances,
appropriateness of grid and course for level, location for grid and course, and constant
awareness of rider’s safety and control.
 Judgment of candidate’s cool-down, to include: time needed for horse to return to near normal
breathing rate and temperature, and consideration of weather.
Final Assessment
(10 minutes)
During this time, examiners should:
 Meet with the review committee and have a final discussion.
 Examiner should give an evaluation for each candidate to the review committee.
 Provide an analysis of whether the candidate passed the level of testing and reasons for their
decision.
 After examiner meets with the review panel, examiner will meet with candidates and give them
a pass/retest report on their testing with at least one of the reviewers present.
At this time the review committee will be looking for the following from the examiner:
 Organization of thoughts.
 Theory of proper riding and horsemanship.
 Valid reasoning for judgment of riders.
 Positive interaction and ability to communicate with the rider.
Horse Management
(15-20 minutes)
During this time examiners should:
 Apply a shipping bandage (one front or one hind). Discuss materials, techniques, and
differences between front and hind application with the committee.
At this time the review committee will be looking for the following from the examiner:
 Proper application of the shipping bandage.
 Knowledge of different bandage techniques, with extended knowledge of materials, techniques,
and differences between front and hind application.