2012 D1‐C2 STANDARDS OF PROFICIENCY English – Western Comparison

2012 D1 C2 STANDARDS OF ‐PROFICIENCY

English – Western Comparison

D1 Standard of ProficiencyHorse Management

English Western

NO DIFFERENCE

D1 Standard of ProficiencyRiding Expectations

English• …control at the walk and

trot.• Riding over Fences

– Ride over fences using Riding Expectations.

– Walk over poles on the ground in jumping position.

– Discuss with Examiner the reason for different positions when riding on the flat and over fences.

Western• …control at the walk and

jog.• Riding over Obstacles

– Ride over obstacles using Riding Expectations

– Walk over poles on the ground in balanced position

– Discuss with Examiner the reason for different hand positions when riding on the rail and through various obstacles


English• Turnout/Tack

– …breeches, jodhpurs or riding tights…

Western• Turnout/Tack

– …long pants…


English• …balanced position at walk

and trot, and should begin to develop the canter and jumping position. No need to canter over fences.

• Riding on the Flat– Shorten and lengthen reins at

halt and walk.– Ride at the trot on correct

diagonal…– Ride at the canter…

Western• …balanced position at the

walk and jog, and should begin to develop the lope.

• Riding on the Flat– Shorten and lengthen reins

at halt and walk. Demonstrate proper hand position for bit and rein equipment, and for age and appropriate control of mount.

– Ride with balance at the jog…– Ride at the lope…


English• Riding over Fences

– Maintain jumping position at the trot on the flat and over ground poles.

– …ride a simple stadium course of four to five obstacles of cross rails and verticals (no spreads)...

Western• Riding over Obstacles

– Maintain balanced position at the jog, on the rail, and over poles.

– …complete a simple obstacle course to include poles (walk and jog over), halt, walk, jog, backing, turns, and vigation around cones or upright poles.


English• Riding in the Open

– …at walk and trot.– Jump a minimum of three

simple and natural obstacles….

Western• Riding in the Open

– …at walk and jog.– Navigate several natural

obstacles, to include logs (no more than 12”), trees, and small divets (lowered sections of ground) where available.


English• Turnout/Tack

– …collared shirt (polo, turtleneck, dress shirt or ratcatcher) with long or short sleeves, breeches, jodhpurs or riding tights with shirt tucked in, belt (if belt loops), tall boots or paddock boots with or without half chaps..

– Describe proper adjustment of the snaffle bridle with cavesson noseband.

Western• Turnout/Tack

– …collared shirt with long or short sleeves, long pants with shirt tucked in, short or tall riding boots that cover the ankle and have a boot heel.

– Describe proper adjustment of the bridle.


English• …basic balanced position

with control at the walk, trot, and canter. Candidate should maintain a secure base of support while developing balance and a steady position over fences.

Western• …basic balanced position

with control at the walk, jog, and lope. Candidate should maintain a secure base of support while riding through the obstacles and out in the open.


English• Riding on the Flat

– Adjust stirrups and girth with feet in the stirrups while mounted

– Shorten and lengthen reins at the halt, walk, and trot.

– Demonstrate mount’s warm-up routine for everyday work under examiner supervision.

– Perform balancing and suppling exercises for rider at walk and trot.

Western• Riding on the Flat

– -

– -

– -

– Perform balancing and suppling exercises for rider at walk and jog.


English• Riding on the Flat, cont’d

– Ride mount on the flat at walk, rising trot with correct diagonals, sitting trot and at the canter with correct leads.

– Demonstrate 20-meter circles showing correct riding position in both directions at all gaits.

– Ride without stirrups at the sitting trot.

Western• Riding on the Flat, cont’d

– -

– Ride mount demonstrating large circles showing correct positioning in both directions at walk, jog, and at the lope with correct leads.

– Ride without stirrups at the jog.


English• Riding on the Flat, cont’d

– Demonstrate passing others safely while riding in an arena or ring at the walk and trot.

– Demonstrate a halt followed by a simple step back.

Western• Riding on the Flat, cont’d

– -

– Demonstrate a halt followed by a simple step back. With attention given to seat position during the halt.


English• Riding over Fences

– Ride over small gymnastic grid of trot poles followed by a cross rail, then a vertical set at, but not exceed, 2’3” set at appropriate distances for mount’s stride.

– In an enclosed area, jump a simple stadium course of five to seven obstacles, including a simple oxer. The majority of fences should be set at, but not exceed, 2’3”.

Western• Riding over Obstacles

– Complete a simple obstacle course of five to seven obstacles, to include poles (walk and jog over), halt, walk, jog, backing, turns, side-passing, a single-hand maneuver (such as a gate or pick-up), and navigation around cones or upright poles.


English• Riding in the Open

– …at the walk and trot.– Jump four to five simple

cross-country obstacles...– D-3 speed should not exceed

240 meters per minute or 300 meters per minute appropriate for the size of mount.

Western• Riding in the Open

– …at the walk and jog.– Complete four to five natural

trail obstacles, which may include gates, dismounting/mounting, ditches, hills (up and down, showing proper balance and hand position).

D-Level Standards of ProficiencyWestern Rules and Guidelines

• Approved bits, reins, saddles, pads, bridles/headstalls, training devices, and protective equipment differ from those for English and are listed in the complete SoPs

C1 StandardsHORSE MANAGEMENT

ENGLISHTurnout/Tack• Attire to be correctly formal or informal.• Tack to be safe, properly adjusted, supple

and reflecting regular care. No jockeys or dust. All stress points clean. No cracked leather. Metal clean and polished and stirrup pads clean.

WESTERNTurnout/Tack• Attire to be correct according to the Western

Rules and Guidelines, page 8• Tack to be safe, properly adjusted, supple

and reflecting regular• care. No jockeys or dust. All stress points

clean. No cracked leather.

C1 RIDING STANDARDS

WESTERN

Riding on the Flat• Work mount at walk, jog and lope, with

smooth transitions, demonstrating correct bend, performing straight lines on centerline, and quarter lines. Ride large and small circles and figure eights with simple transitions at each gait.

• Demonstrate long, loose and light contact at walk.

• Back 2-3 steps.• Discuss aids for and then demonstrate a

simple turn-around (spin) in each direction.• • Discuss……the rider’s basic western

balanced position, ……..whether rider established a light contact (appropriate to bit) and use of natural aids.

ENGLISH

Riding on the Flat• Work mount at walk, trot and canter, with smooth transitions, demonstrating straight lines on centerline.• Perform 20-meter circles, and figure eights with simple transitionsat each gait demonstrating correct bend.• Ride without stirrups at the sitting trot.• Demonstrate long rein, loose rein and light contact at walk.• Discuss aids for and demonstrate a rein-back of 2-3 steps.• Discuss aids for and then demonstrate a turn on the forehand.• Discuss arena etiquette for riders at different gaits.• Discuss…..the rider’s basic balanced position, …….whether rider established a light contact.

C1 RIDING STANDARDS

ENGLISHRiding Over Fences• Ride over fences using Riding Expectations.• Ride over small gymnastic grid of three

fences finishing with an ascending oxer set at, but not exceed, 2’9” set at appropriate distances for mount’s stride.

• Ride over jump course of 6-8 obstacles; include a two-stride combination set at an appropriate distance for mount’s stride. The majority of fences should be set at, but not exceed, 2’9”.

• Discuss performance with Examiner, including rhythm, tempo and balance and ways ride could be improved.

WESTERN

Riding Obstacles and Patterns• Ride through obstacles and patterns as per

Riding Expectations.• Ride over small gymnastic grid of poles set at

appropriate length for mount. Demonstrate proper hand position for mount over poles.

• Complete an obstacle course of six to ten obstacles, to include: poles (walk and jog over), halt, walk, jog, lope, back with a change of direction, turns, side-passing, a single-hand maneuver (such as a gate or pick-up), and navigation around cones or upright poles.

• Complete a simple pattern• Discuss performance with Examiner, including

steadiness of pace and ways ride could be improved.

C1 RIDING STANDARDS

ENGLISHRiding in the Open• Ride safely with control in a group, on a suitable

mount, at the walk, trot, and canter over varied terrain, through shallow water and small ditches as occur in natural terrain when available.

• C-1 speed should not exceed 325 meters per minute to 350 meters per minute.

• Discuss and demonstrate riding safely over varied terrain, incorporating as many of the following elements as local conditions allow: hills, small/shallow ditches, low banks, flat open areas and shallow streams.

• Ride over five to seven cross-country obstacles at appropriate speed (240-350 meters per minute). The majority of fences should be set at, but not exceed, 2’9”.

• Discuss performance with Examiner giving reasons for any disobediences.

WESTERNRiding in the Open• Ride safely with control in a group, on a suitable

mount, at the walk, jog and lope• Discuss and demonstrate riding safely over

varied terrain, incorporating as many of the following elements as local conditions allow: hills, small/shallow ditches, flat open areas and shallow streams as available.

• Discuss performance with Examiner giving reasons for any disobedience.

C2 STANDARDSHORSE MANAGEMENT

ENGLISHTurnout/Tack & Bits• Attire to be correctly formal or informal. • Tack to be safe, clean and properly

adjusted, reflecting regular care/conditioning with metal polished. No jockeys or dust, no cracked leather, and all stress points clean.

• Explain reasons for equipment used on own mount for flat work and over fences.

• Name three different snaffle bits.• Discuss the basic action of the snaffle bit.

WESTERNTurnout/Tack & Bits• Attire to be correct according to the

Western Rules and Guidelines, page 8.• Tack to be safe, clean and properly

adjusted, reflecting regular care/conditioning with metal polished. No jockeys or dust, no cracked leather, and all stress points clean.

• Explain reasons for equipment used on own mount for flat work and over obstacles.

• Name three different types of bits.• Discuss the basic action of the snaffle bit

and the curb.

C2 RIDING STANDARDS

ENGLISHRiding on the Flat• Discuss candidate’s warm-up for rider and

mount using terms and understanding the training pyramid.

• Work mount at walk, trot and canter• 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 on centerline and stand quietly for five seconds.

• Demonstrate a rein back (2-3 simple steps back).• Develop a hand gallop from a canter and return

to canter smoothly.

WESTERNRiding on the Flat• Discuss candidate’s warm-up for rider and mount.• Work mount at walk, jog and lope• Demonstrate large and small circles, figure-8s,

serpentines and work on the center or quarter lines to develop suppleness and straightness.

• Demonstrate walk to extended walk, jog to extended jog.

• Stop squarely and stand quietly for five seconds.• Discuss aids for and demonstrate a reinback of 2-

3 steps.• Develop a hand gallop from a lope and return to

lope smoothly.• Perform 2-3 simple-turn around (spins) in each

direction.

C2 RIDING STANDARDS

ENGLISHRiding Over Fences• Ride over fences using Riding Expectations.• Discuss reasons for adjusting stirrups for

different types of work.• Ride over a simple gymnastic grid, finishing

with an ascending oxer set at but not to exceed 3’ set at appropriate distances for mount’s stride at trot or canter.

• Develop a plan of how to ride a stadium course. Course to consist of 7-9 jumps. The majority of fences should be set at, but not exceed, 3’.

• Ride course according to plan.• Discuss performance with Examiner, including

the quality of canter maintained throughout the course and ways ride could be improved

WESTERNRiding Obstacles and Patterns• Discuss reasons for adjusting stirrups and rein

length for different types of work.• Develop a plan of how to ride an obstacle

course.• Ride course according to plan.• Discuss performance with Examiner, including

whether control was maintained throughout the course.

• Rider should demonstrate secure Western basic balanced position over obstacles, showing control and use of aids.

• Develop plan to ride a pattern.• Discuss performance with Examiner, including

whether control was maintained throughout the pattern.

C2 RIDING STANDARDS

ENGLISHRiding in the Open• Ride safely with control in a group, on a suitable

mount, at the walk, trot, and canter over varied terrain, through shallow water and small ditches as occur in natural terrain.

• C-2 speed should not exceed 375 mpm.• Ride over five to seven cross-country obstacles,

at appropriate speed (350-375 mpm) connecting fences as a course. The majority of fences should be set at, but not exceed, 3’.

• Discuss performance with Examiner, giving reasons for any disobediences and suggested corrections

WESTERNRiding in the Open• Ride in a group at the walk, jog and lope on a

suitable mount.• Ride over five to seven obstacles.• Discuss performance with Examiner, including

reasons for any disobedience.

Documents

2012 D1‐C2 STANDARDS OF PROFICIENCY English – Western Comparison