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 AND WESTERN FLATWORK - 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 with candidate regarding the expectations 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 (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 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: Interaction with the candidates. Easing of testing anxiety. 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 exerecises 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 (10-15 minutes) 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 (15-20 minutes) During this time examiners should: Assess candidates for remaining movements riding expectations in riding section. Properly set-up arena for required Dressage Test, English Pattern, or Western Pattern. Assess candidates for required Dressage Test, English Pattern, or Western Pattern. 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 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. Correct set-up of arena for required Dressage Test, English Pattern, or Western Pattern, to include: appropriate size of arena and set up of corner markers or cones Judgment of candidate’s test or pattern, to include: accurate evaluation of test or pattern and correct scoring of test or pattern 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. Bandaging (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.