The Side Saddle Association®
GRADE TEST & INSTRUCTOR EXAMINATION ADMINISTRATION
1. Authority to organise Grade Test/Instructor Examinations
1.1 Grade Test and Instructor Examinations may be organised by Area Chairmen and Area Committees.
They may also be organised by Association Members, provided they have the agreement of the Area
Chairman and Committee in which Area the Examinations are to be held.
1.2 In all instances the S.S.A. Hon. General Secretary must be advised of the date, venue and Grade
Test/Instructor Examinations offered, along with the Names of the Examiners.
2. General Organisation and Publicity
2.1 The Organiser of Grade Tests/Instructor Examinations may apply for a float from the S.S.A. Hon.
Treasurer, on production of a budget of envisaged costs, to run an Examination day, but every effort
should be made to make the day ‘break even’.
2.2 Sufficient notice should be given to the S.S.A. Hon. General Secretary, in order that full details can be
published in the Association mail shot preceding the Grade Test/Instructor Examination Day.
2.3 The S.S.A. Hon. General Secretary will send the Examination Day Organiser all the relevant
paperwork.
3. Grade Test/Instructors Examination Expenditure
3.1 Examiners’ fees are negotiable with a minimum of £50 per day plus 40p per mile travelling (approved
2010).
3.2 Examiners should be provided with refreshments.
4. Grade Test/Instructor Examination Fees
4.1 Examination Fees are published in the current Members’ Handbook. Cheques should be made out
either to the organising Area, or to The Side Saddle Association, depending on who is funding the day.
4.2 Candidates may take more than one Grade Test on the same day, but will be examined for each
Grade separately and fees are payable for each test.
5. Examiners
5.1 Refer to the Code of Conduct for Examiners in the current Members’ Handbook.
5.2 There will be 2 Examiners for each Grade Test; two examiners are required to assess the Equitation
and Jumping phases:
Grades I & II
Either two ‘A’ Instructors or 1 ‘A’ & 1 ‘B’. (The ‘B’ Instructor must have been on the Instructors’ Panel
for at least 2 years).
Grades III & IV
Two ‘A’ Instructors who have been on the ‘A’ Panel for at least 2 years, one of whom must be on the
Association’s Examination Panel, and one of whom (preferably) is drawn from outside the host Area.
Instructor ‘A’, ‘B’, & ‘C’
Two ‘A’ Instructors, one of whom will have been on the ‘A’ Panel for at least 2 years, and one of whom
must be on the Association’s Examination Panel. One Examiner must reside outside the host Area.
6. Facilities
6.1 A fenced, level arena with a safe jumping area is required, preferably an outdoor manège or indoor
school. Optional trotting poles, show jumps, cross country course and two ground helpers are
required.
6.2 A covered area for discussion, lectures, etc.
6.3 Stable(s) complete with Horse(s) for the Horse Knowledge & Care phase.
7. General Requirements
7.1 Name badges for all Candidates and Examiners.
7.2 The Candidates’ suitability, eligibility and the syllabus are published in the current Members' Handbook.
7.3 Potential Candidates holding BHS qualifications are eligible for the Amalgamated Grades Syllabi.
Continued ….
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7.4 A timetable of the day for all Candidates and Examiners clearly showing the location of each phase.
8.
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
Requirements for Grade Tests
For Grade II+, trotting poles and two or three small fences (Not to exceed 2’).
For Grade III+ & IV+, a course of show jumps and cross country fences (Not to exceed 3’).
For Grade IV, an unknown horse for the riding phase.
Selection of Side Saddles with different stirrup fittings, Girths, Balance Girths as required by each
Grade Test Syllabi.
8.5 Selection of Rugs, Bandages, Boots, etc., as required by each Grade Test Syllabi.
8.6 A Grooming Kit for Grade I.
8.7 A selection of common feed stuffs for Grade I.
8.8 A Double Bridle for fitting and discussion point in Grade II.
8.9 A Habit for Grade III.
8.10 Farrier Tools and a selection of Shoes for Grade III.
8.11 Lungeing Equipment for Grade III.
9. Requirements for Instructor Assessments
9.1 For ‘B’ & ‘C’ Instructor Examinations, three or four mounted ‘guinea pigs’ capable of riding in
Equitation classes are required. One or two horses and riders are required for the individual lessons.
9.2 For ‘A’ Instructor Examinations, three or four mounted ‘guinea pigs’ of a good standard are required,
one of whom must be capable of performing the Open Equitation Championship Test. At least two
riders for the jumping lesson, one rider of a high standard for the Young Horse, Advanced Flat and
Advanced Jumping lessons.
9.3 Grade Test Candidates may be invited to act as ‘guinea pigs’ for Instructors’ Examinations, held on
the same day, provided they have completed their Examinations first.
9.4 Candidates should be encouraged to use available ‘props’ for their Lectures.
10. Results and Certificates
10.1 Candidates will be told the result of the Grade Test/Instructor Examinations on the day, and those
failing should be seen individually afterwards.
10.2 It is important that Examiners discuss any weakness found with candidates, to ensure that
candidates are helped and encouraged to start working towards either retaking, or progressing up the
scale of Grade Test/Instructor Examinations.
10.3 Details of Examination successes will be published in the next Association Newsletter.
10.4 Grade Tests: Result sheets must be completed by the Examiners and successful candidates
presented with their certificates.
It is the responsibility of the Organiser to ensure that the Result sheet and any surplus Certificates are
returned to the S.S.A. Hon. General Secretary within one week of the Examination day.
10.5 Instructor Assessments: Candidates failing to produce a recognised current First Aid Certificate
may be passed on the day, but the Instructor Certificate and publication of the Candidate’s name in
the Associations List of Instructors will be withheld until the S.S.A. Hon. General Secretary has
received a copy. The S.S.A. Hon. General Secretary will send certificates to successful candidates
when their signed Declaration Forms have been received.
11. Sequence of Events
11.1 Organise Assessment Day
11.2 Hold Grade Tests
Examiners announce results to Candidates and award Certificates where appropriate
Organisers return Results and unused Certificates to S.S.A. Hon. General Secretary
S.S.A. Hon. General Secretary organises publication of results
11.3 Hold Instructors’ Examinations
Examiners announce results to Candidates
Successful Candidate produces current First Aid Certificate
Successful Candidate completes Instructor’s Declaration
Organiser returns results, Instructors’ Declarations to the S.S.A. Hon. General Secretary
S.S.A. Hon. General Secretary sends Certificates to successful Candidates and organises
publication of results when the completed, signed declaration forms (containing proof that
Examiners have seen, or a photocopy of current First Aid Certificate) have been received.
Updated June 2010