C-2 PREP GUIDE

RIDING TEST EXPECTATIONS: Candidate should ride with confidence and control on the flat and over fences, demonstrating a secure balanced position and progress toward an independent seat and coordinated use of aids. The candidate should begin to initiate free forward movement establishing balance and rhythm while developing a light contact.

HORSE MANAGEMENT EXPECTATIONS: The candidate should show a solid awareness of cause and effect in horse management skills. Assistance/supervision is allowed in the demonstration of bandaging, longeing, and loading mount.

STANDARDS OF PROFICIENCY

The United States Pony Clubs, Inc., establishes Standards of Proficiency within the framework of the international Pony Club movement as the curriculum for a program of instruction and evaluation of its members for ratings.

Revised 1/1/2009

Alternative Testing Revised 4/1/2010

RATING CHECK LIST 2008

This checklist is to be used as a tool for the clubs to guage the readiness of a candidate for a rating.  The boxes should be checked off only when the candidate has successfully demonstrated competence at the necessary skill to a qualified instructor.

PREP GUIDE

This prep outline has been prepared to help you cover the Horse Management aspects of the C-2 Test.  The riding aspects are listed for your information and you may want to check off the skills as you accomplish them.  The Horse Management area has plenty of space provided for you to fill in the answers.  It is helpful for you to do this exercise because it not only gives you a great review format but it helps you organize your thoughts and put them on paper.  This reinforces the knowledge and helps you verbalize your thoughts in the testing section.  Please practice verbalizing your answers.

C-2 Test Sheet STUDY GUIDE

TURN OUT

Attire to be correctly formal or informal, Pony Club

pin, long hair neatly up or back, and no

inappropriate jewelry.

Mount to be thoroughly groomed, reflecting regular

care, with healthy coat and no sweat or dirt; mane

and tail brushed with no dandruff. Sheath or udder

is to show regular care and cleansing. Feet are to

be picked, reflecting regular farrier care, and eyes,

nose, lips, dock clean.

Tack is to be safe, clean and properly adjusted,

reflecting regular care and conditioning with metal

polished and stress points clean. (No jockeys, dust

or cracked leather present.)

Explain reasons for equipment used on own mount

for flat work and over fences, and demonstrate

proper adjustment.

RIDING ON THE FLAT

Demonstrate warm-up for flat work including rider

exercises. Discuss candidate’s warm-up for rider

and mount.

Discuss warm-up schedule for three different

activities of candidate’s choice.

Work mount at walk, trot and canter, changing

directions at least twice in each gait, using

coordinated aids, maintaining even rhythm,

balance and impulsion, with smooth transitions.

Demonstrate 15- and 20-meter circles, figure-8s,

serpentines and work on the center or quarter lines

to develop suppleness and straightness.

Demonstrate a free walk on a long rein, returning to a

walk on contact.

Halt squarely and stand quietly for 5 seconds.

Ride without stirrups at all gaits.

Discuss aids for and then demonstrate a rein-back of

2-3 steps.

Discuss aids for and then demonstrate leg yield at

walk.

Develop a hand gallop from a canter and return to

canter smoothly.

Discuss performance with examiner, including the

rider’s position, and whether mount was moving

forward in balance and rhythm.

RIDING OVER FENCES

Discuss reasons for adjusting stirrups for different

types of work.

Perform simple gymnastic grid exercises of 4 to 5

fences set at appropriate distances for mounts

stride at trot and canter, finishing with an

ascending oxer set at, but not to exceed, 3’.

Develop a plan of how to ride a stadium course. Set a

course to consist of 7 to 9 jumps, the majority of

fences to be set at, but not to exceed, 3’.

Ride course according to plan.

Discuss performance with examiner, including

rhythm maintained throughout the course.

Rider should demonstrate secure basic balanced

position over fences, showing control, rhythm and

proper use of aids.

RIDING IN THE OPEN

Ride in a group, at the walk, trot and canter on

suitable mount.

Demonstrate riding safely over varied terrain, as

conditions allow. Discuss safety measures when

riding over varied footing, i.e., water, mud, rocks,

ice, bog, hard ground, sand, pavement.

Ride over 5 to 7 cross-country obstacles, at

appropriate speed (350-375 mpm), the majority of

fences at, but not to exceed, 3’, while connecting

fences as a course.

Discuss performance with examiner, including

reasons for any disobediences.

CONDITIONING

Present a written outline of a six- to eight-week

conditioning and feeding program in preparation

for a specific competition of candidate’s choice

(may be maintained in record book).

Measure and record pulse, temperature and

respiration of own mount at rest in front of

examiner.

NUTRITION

Describe own mount’s ration when developing

fitness, maintaining fitness, taking day off, sick, or

roughed out.

STABLE MANAGEMENT

Describe caring for a mount efficiently and

economically when:

Stabled: feed & water schedule, minerals needed,

clothing, exercise, grooming.

At Grass: safety-check of pasture, fencing, water,

mineral supply, shelter, feed and grooming.

Discuss knowledge of safety measures, preparation,

and care of mount and equipment on a day of

strenuous work, including feed schedule,

consideration of mount’s condition, consideration

of climate and terrain, cooling out, treatment of

any injuries, and making mount comfortable.

Discuss pasture safety and fencing.

Name three toxic plants in your area and describe

appearance.

CONFORMATION & LAMENESS

Name five basic conformation qualities you want in a

mount for your own use, and how they affect basic

movement and soundness.

Name and locate on a mount the following areas of

unsoundness: ringbone, curb, bowed tendons,

sidebone, spavin, navicular, splint, thoroughpin,

sprains.

TRAVEL SAFETY

Be able to load and unload, with assistance, an

experienced, cooperative mount.

RECORD BOOK

Record Book (health, maintenance, immunizations)

must be kept up-to-date and brought to test. Book

must have records for at least 9 months prior to

testing and reflect appropriate depth of knowledge

for this level.

VETERINARY KNOWLEDGE

List annual immunizations and health requirements

appropriate for your area.

Describe how tetanus and strangles are transmitted.

Explain the need for regular care of teeth.

List prevalent internal parasites in your area.

Describe routine parasite prevention for your mount.

TEACHING

Assist a D-1 and/or D-2 to prepare for turnout under

direct supervision of examiner. Candidate is to

explain to D member the appropriate steps and

safety procedures. Assess turnout and equipment

and explain concerns to D member..

Candidate must bring a letter from DC that states

he/or she is assisting in simple unmounted

instructional programs for D-level Pony Club

members with supervision.

LAND CONSERVATION

Name the zoning requirements for the county in

which you keep your horse. Example: A minimum

of 10 acres is required to keep one horse.

What public land is available to ride on in your

county?

LONGEING

Discuss methods, equipment and safety precautions

for longeing.

Longe an appropriate mount for exercise in an

enclosed area with assistance.

FOOT & SHOEING

Recognize and describe good and bad shoeing.

BANDAGING

Apply shipping bandage and stable/standing bandage

under supervision of examiner, and give reasons

for use.

Give reasons for use.